New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui

Cool

Honestly I wish there wasn't a choice

I'm mildly obsessed about it.

I've made comparisons and although at the same volume setting on my pre 6v does sound better than 2v I f I turn up my pre volume at 2v I don't think I can appreciate a SQ difference.

I wonder if SQ difference just related to volume?

I asked MOLA MOLA what volume offset does:

The volume setting stays the same on all sources when changing presets. Sometimes you can experience 1 preset is louder or softer than the other so you have to change the volume each time.
With the volume offset you can match the volume on each particular preset to match the volume for each source.

And Volume offset works in direct mode and headphone mode as well.

So based on that (thank you) I guess volume offset is just the same as turning the MM volume down -2db.  But it is once and done, and the -2db does not seem to reduce sound quality  at least to my ears..  6v output still works and I do not have any distortion.  As I have switched streamers (now Grimm MU1) and switched to AES, I should again play those hot recordings without the volume offset and see if it still happens.  

op consider the Aqua hifi lascala modular and upgradable advanced r2r design that can handle dsd and high data rate pcm very analog like hugensound stage has two tubes for a bit of midrange magic

add a432evo Aeon roon core and endpoint and you will have sn amazingly analog sounding digital setup

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

aqua hifi dealer

us importer 432EVO music servers

You say you want "better" but what exactly would "better" sound like? Would you recognize it if you heard it? Do your research, read reviews, compare specs and listening impressions but in the end, you are going to have listen for yourself.

If you are not in a hurry and enjoy buying and selling, you can always buy used and sell it if you don’t like it. Whether you do this, or order from one of the online vendors who offer return policies, it still amounts to the same thing -- basing your ultimate decision upon what you hear, in your system, in your room.

Even if you had a half dozen dealers close to you it’s unlikely any would be amenable to a home demo. That is simply not their business model. Among others, The Music Room, Audio Advisor, Listen Up! and Upscale Audio all offer return policies on online sales.

The alternative is to buy new gear based on someone else's opinion and hope you like it. This might work out. But then again, it might not.