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Too many choices for R2R DACS--opinions appreciated

So I've decided to treat myself to a new DAC to celebrate a rather significant birthday coming up, and I'm very intrigued by the new generation of DACs employing R2R technology. Reviews have been unrelentingly positive, but I have way too many choices now, so I'd appreciate some opinions from any of you who may have had a chance to compare some of them. Price range: about $3K (with some slight headroom if the right DAC warrants it). I've looked at reviews for Audio-GD, Denafrips, Sonnet, and the new one from Jay's Audio (which doesn't yet seem to have any reviews that I can find). 

I'll be replacing a DAC that I actually really like, an Abbingdon Music Research DP-777 (not SE) which I've had for a few years now, but from what I read about the R2Rs, they appear to produce a sound I might like even better. 

Listening preferences: mostly classical, some folk, some Broadway, and I never  totally outgrew my taste for the good ol' rock music I grew up with. 

Rest of the system: Modwright KWI-200 integrated, Cambridge Audio CXU disc spinner, Ryan R610 speakers, Rel S2 sub. Cables: Audience & Cardas. (This all might be a bit TMI, but let's cover all the bases).

Your opinions gratefully received. Thanks!

 

cooper52
uncola
56 posts
 

Audial S5 is a great multibit non oversampling dac using the tda1541a chip.  Great non bright treble.  Perfect synergy with my bliesma beryllium tweeters

willywonka
193 posts
 

@lucmichaud1 That is very disturbing and has somewhat soured me in buying a Chinese DAC. I was going to buy a Holo Audio May today but may need to rethink my options. Even though your problems were with Audio GD, they have no control over Chinese Customs.

liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound
146 posts
 

Another happy BorderPatrol R2R DAC owner and I know Gary Dews personally.  He's terrific and always looking to make improvements to his equipment.  In fact, I have two of his DAC's.  You really can't go wrong, and I seldom see these for sale, so if you find something you like better, you can always sell it.  Highly-recommended !  

whipsaw
754 posts
 

@willywonka 

That is very disturbing and has somewhat soured me in buying a Chinese DAC. I was going to buy a Holo Audio May today but may need to rethink my options. Even though your problems were with Audio GD, they have no control over Chinese Customs.

Be careful, as you are conflating in a manner that may restrict your choices unnecessarily. I am not aware of any similar stories relating to Denafrips or Holo Audio, to pick two obvious examples, and doubt very much that anything similar would happen if a return were necessary.

It is damning that Audio GD behaved as reported, and I wouldn't go near their products because of that alone. But while I have moved on from a Denafrips DAC, my dealings with Alvin, their worldwide representative, based in Singapore, were comparable to the positive experiences that I have had with American and European companies.

If you are interested in a Holo DAC, why not contact them and ask specifically how returns would be handled. My bet is that you wouldn't be on the hook for any Customs charges, even if it were necessary to ship the unit back to China.

willywonka
193 posts
 

It's not my first experience in dealing with a Chinese made DAC. I bought a Yulong Sabre DA3 a number of years ago that was shipped directly from China. Also no need to contact Holo Audio, their not so good return policy is already spelled out on their website. Warranty returns and just regular returns are handled differently but they don't accept any returns on a Holo Audio May from what I see. This is always a risk we all have to decide on when we buy from a Chinese company or even a boutique company who is a one man show. As much as I want to buy from Holo Audio there are risks with them being a one man show and a Chinese company. There are risks in everything! 

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