Emm Labs DV2 versus Tambaqui

Very interesting takes... @metaldetektor your posts have been very helpful in particular, but I do appreciate reading almost all posts on this matter.

I was looking for a new reference DAC and wanted something non-ESS based since I presently have the Musetec 005. My short list was as follows

Holo May KTE (R2R)

Denefrips Terminator+ (R2R)

Chord Dave (FPGA)

Mola Mola Tambaqui (FPGA)

I'm awaiting a call about my Tambaqui audition, and went the FPGA route out of both reviews comparing these item's in some context of A vs B, then ultimately choose to go with the Tambaqui do to some reviewer's putting the May = 005 >/= Terminator+.

My thoughts again are that since I have the Musetec 005, the Tambaqui could be the standout given these other DAC's being so close in overall performance.

Could be wrong in my thinking, but the Tambaqui I know needs to run hot and does take some break in, but for the massive jump in cost compared to the competition, I need it to be fairly substantial (like when I got the 005) to my ears given it's price in order to confidently keep it.

Otherwise I might just get the May KTE and spend/save the rest of my money.

I'll post more later, but I plan to A/B the 005 against the Tambaqui, but haven't personally heard the May or Terminator+.

This is a brutal thread.  @laoman here are three thoughts beyond Holo May and Denafrips.  

I have not heard the EMM or the Mola Mola.  I am 100% certain both are brilliant but they just haven't made it through my space yet.  I am exploring expanding my DAC selection further and am seriously considering adding EMM.  We just added Playback.  

Playback has just introduced and is about to ship the new MPD-6 Edelweiss which is $15K without the built-in streamer.  The Streamer is $3K.  I have my sales sample on order and am just waiting for my bill from Playback and have been told to expect any day.  I have not heard it yet, obviously.  I have heard the Dream DAC and it is radically better than any of the $10K-$15K DACs I have heard in just about every way.  I expect the Edelweiss to be a step up from the Weiss, M1 SE, Dave, Wavedream Edition cluster of DACs but a step down from the Dream DAC.  

The Rockna Wavedream Signature is another DAC worth considering.  It is incredibly detailed and is so neutral and balanced the sound is difficult to describe.  The only critique is that it is so neutral, it can be a bit boring.  They are incredibly detailed with a monstrous soundstage.  

The MSB Discrete is also one worth looking at.  I have no relationship with MSB but have heard their DACs and they are worth your time.  Very musical and engaging.  Incredibly detailed but not bright or fatiguing in any way.  

Beyond EMM and Mola Mola, these are the three I would look at.  Good luck to you.  

Verdantaudio, that is a great post. I was not aware that the Dream dac was releasing a new model with a streaming module. That is a game changer. The Dream dacs were designed by the a genius. I will need to listen to this new model as well. Thanks for the information you posted. I will look at the Rockna. Have you heard the new Sonnet? It may be showcased at the Munich hi fi show in a few weeks.

In the $15k plus category, keep an eye on Nagra. Their successor to the Nagra Classic DAC will include streaming capability. Koch of Playback is on their digital design team. The analog stage is designed by the Nagra brain trust. Beautiful form factor if that matters to you and it will have that slightly warm and musical DSD sound if that appeals to you. I use their tube DAC which doesn’t have streaming and is quite a bit more expensive.

If the insightful and meaty analog quality of an MSB is also of interest, consider totaldac as well. It’s sold direct without dealer markup. If you configure it properly (PM me if you’re interested - the website is confusing to say the least), it’s killer and quite a bit cheaper than MSB even at the highest levels. Built in Roon endpoint is an option. But even their entry model is quite good. I have one.

Thanks. When the nonsense from the fanbois is removed from Audiogon there is a lot of valuable information. That is why I joined.