why would you want to use an R2R DAC (Audio Note) without a proper filter (to remove out-of-band artifacts) and upsampling? These were both used to improve the noise/distortion (linearity) of R2R DACs.
@jasonbourne52 , when I purchased my AN DAC they were using digital filters and some models were oversampling. More recently, the designer and the chief engineer at AN removed them after listening tests proved better SQ with a direct signal to the DAC chips.
I’m the first one to admit it’s a mistake for a DAC not to contain an internal clock. It’s not going to add noise or distortion if well implemented. AN builds components to be used in their complete systems, that’s their philosophy. This includes asynchronous sources and digital cables optimised to be used within their systems.
One of their dealers built a master clock mod and also sells external clocks to be used with AN Dacs. He told me that Peter, the owner of the company is scheduled to visit this dealer’s listening room.
I have a preamp and a DAC and they present wonderfully realistic tonal qualities.
I forgot... Audio Note DACs accept up to 24/96kHz digital.