Emm Labs DV2 versus Tambaqui

@milpai You should check out the dealer ad for the ’said’ dac on US Audio Mart. The dealer is referencing a topic started on audiogon as part of his sales pitch by a user named dbb . I’m sure it’s a very good dac, but these underhanded tactics are definitely raising suspicions. Now watch them jump on you by declaring that your motivations are driven by racism (anti-china) or your lack of understanding of how expensive DACs are merely snake oil (that's another way of saying that you are a gullible simpleton who doesn’t know how this stuff works). Typical tactics employed in fabricating a hype cycle :)

Now watch them jump on you by declaring that your motivations are driven by racism (anti-china) or your lack of understanding of how expensive DACs are merely snake oil (that's another way of saying that you are a gullible simpleton who doesn’t know how this stuff works)

@arafiq , I will not be surprised by that. They have called me out on another thread. Like you said - they are using their tactics. But point is, don't turn every thread to your DAC. If you want the OP to know about your DAC, reach out via PM instead of trying to divert the thread's original intent. This was typical of a person from down under who was hijacking all Class D amp, DSD and non-R2R DAC threads. Same thing I am seeing with these few posters - always trying to get pity by saying that most folks here are anti-China. My Oppo is made in China, I just got brand new Psvanes. And guess where they are made?

metaldetektor, thank you for your observations. I would be interested in hearing more as you listen more to the Tambaqui. What connects are you using, for example?That is precisely the type of feedback I wanted. It looks as if the choice will be the Tambaqui. I would like to thank all of the posters who kept the discussion on track.

I have nothing against Chinese Dacs or Chinese products, quite the contrary.Denafrips make very good Dacs. I think Opera Consonance, for example, make great equipment. AM amps are absolutely superb and little known.
My question was based on a lot of prior research and listening and that research and listening led me to consider the two Dacs posed in my initial query. So thanks to those who kept the topic on track. As a matter of interest, the new Sonnet, the Pasithea, is also on my list to listen to.

@arafiq 

Lots of complaint that there's talk here about another DAC.  Then lots of talk here about that other DAC from you. I agree that the ad on US Audio Mart using @dbb's review is kind of ridiculous.  Don't know if he even asked for permission.  But why write about it here?  Why don't you just drop a note to the dealer and tell him what you think?

@melm As an amateur recording engineer for an orchestra, chamber group and multiple choirs as well as a chorister for 50+ years, I too prefer hearing live music in a good/great venue and can use that as a reference.  Unfortunately, as with bad recordings, I've performed in mediocre venues as well.   

and @metaldetektor  I didn't intend to side track the discussion.   I have a $20K analog front end and have attempted to equal it in CD playback.   Some older CD players have sounded exceptional as they sound more like analog (Kyocera 310/410, haven't heard the 710).   I last used the EAR acute for 15 years.   Seeking a more detailed and clean sound, I ventured into separates about 3 years ago.   I purchased a very well reviewed pair of DACs priced at $5K and $9K which I don't want to mention as I intend to sell them.   The lesser priced one was warm and better than my EAR but lacked refinement/detail with frequency extremes truncated.  The more expensive DAC is superior to the other in all those three ways but is sterile sounding/not warm at all.   Plus, I realized the 1 second buffered delay blurred the sound.  It does sound very good as a steaming DAC but not through the SPDIFs (each has a different sound as well).   Gorgeous design and build though. 

Instead, I have chosen a extreme modified Benchmark 1HDR.  My friend replaced a pair of 50¢ regulators with $50 ones, recapped the power supply with audio not computer grade caps that it comes with, added another custom audio board, etc.  This unit has it all sonically.  My cost $2000.   I still wonder if the Luxman D-03X is a better/compact package than his DAC which requires a transport and digital cable.  Sometimes I feel that a single concept unit is better.