Let's Talk DAC's
My current DAC, the Chord Chordette Qute HD is getting on with age and I am looking for a new one with superior performance. So far, I have narrowed down my search to five DACs. At the low end is the Denafrips Ares II and the Eversolo DAC Z8. Mid range the RME ADI-2 and at the top end the Chord Qutest and the Denafrips Pontus II.
This is for an all-digital setup in a 12x12 dedicated room. I have a much larger room with a much "bigger" set up, but for this room it is a simple PrimaLuna Prologue Classic integrated, Audiolab 6000 CD transport, ProAc Tablette 10’s, and a REL T/5i Subwoofer. I plan to add a streamer as well, but that is for another discussion.
I am conflicted with the choice between a delta-sigma modulated DAC and an R2R type Dac. I do like the FPGA technology in my current DAC. It has served me well.
I am certainly open to other ideas and welcome comments from those of you that have experience with this equipment.
I forgot to add; I like a wide and deep soundstage and good imaging. I also hate a rolled off high end.
Gustard R26. This is probably the highest-rated R2R DAC under $2k I've seen, both among reviewers and satisfied customers. Amazon has a good return policy, though I don't encourage abusing it. Keep in mind that the DAC might require a longer break-in period, around 200 hours (as reported), so consider leaving it running continuously for several days to facilitate the break-in process without exceeding your return window.
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I think one that’s not as realized but has come up here before is the Okto Research dac8 stereo. Under $1500 and outstanding reviews (Audiogon included). It has a unique/rethought approach to Sabre chip channel use - don’t really know enough about those details just yet. But also has some other impressive features on the output configuration side of things: https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8stereo.htm
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There are several other considerations. Are you looking for something that emphasizes CD level reproduction or does it have to do high-rez as well? The best sounding DACs for CD resolution playback are often CD only DACs, Most DAC manufacturers focus on the digital side--DAC chipsets, clocking/re-clocking, exotic filter reconstruction of the signal, etc. But, there are other manufactures that employ "primitive" and simple digital to digital to analogue conversion and emphasize improvement in the analogue circuit. The two types of DACs can sound quite different, and it is worth your while to listen to both. While they measure quite poorly, Audio Note DACs, to me, sound fantastically natural, relaxed and beautiful. They represent quite the extreme in the emphasis in the analogue side. Some of their cheaper models (still not cheap) have essentially the same digital circuit as their crazy expensive top end DACs--the price difference reflecting the quite exotic exclusive parts they employ in the analogue side. Synthesis Audio and Lector, both Italian companies are other examples of analogue side DAC makers that make really nice sound stuff. Because it is talked about so much, it is easy to get caught up in R2R, filter choices, etc., but, it is worth at least trying a different path. The result might surprise you. |
You say you want better. Better what? Consider your use and source. Then consider if you really need to change, or like so many of us, just got that bug which of course is a perfectly good reason for a change. Modern electronics have fantastically flat responses. Rolled off top end is going to be your speakers, room, and ears. Not the electronics. Linear distortion is easy as can be corrected by eq. Biggest improvement I did in my DACs was to reduce the output of JRiver by 3 dB. It made my DACs sound much more alike by suppressing edginess or "digititus" quite a bit. Chord and RME both mention this as an issue with digital filters which may be why they don't seem to have the same issue as most chip DS DACs. Maybe the preference for NOS R2R DACs by some. Seems reasonable as it describes a real measurable issue that does not require any magic. . Enough so I am finished on my desktop system. Not sure on my main stereo. You don't have the Gustard's on your list. R26, A26. ( A26 has a streamer/renderer i it) Some like the Mojo better than the Qutest my local Chord dealer tells me. Like everything, you get to diminishing returns real fast. The sonic difference between an Atom+ and a D90 is not that great. ( two price ends of generic chip DACs) Either it takes a lot more money for a true step up, or steps are very small. Amazon is probably hating me for returns but that is the marketing path of so much these days. ( 2 toppings, 1 SMSL, 1 Sabaj) The RME is old, but I get the impression it was just done very well so unless looking for some specific parameter that stands out, it is still a viable option. I want to try one. Maybe it is like the good old Vanderstein 2Ce. Does nothing wrong. Nothing great, but nothing wrong. There's a lot to be said for that. My short list is down to Qutest, Mojo, Rme, A26, and Enyo ( name changed for the Aris when they raised the price) I can't justify the next step up even if breaching $3K is where the differences may start to show. Holo, Terminator, Hugo TT Weiss, etc. I really want to try an A26 in my system, but $1500 had better be a huge difference for 15 times the price over my JDS, not just a subtle detail. I can buy a lot more CD's for that much money and for me, music matters most. If someone would PLEASE make a midrange to cover 500 to 5K with efficiency to work with 6 to 8 inch woofers, I would gladly use that $1500 there! I have been searching for a good midrange for 40 years. Speakers are and will always be the weakest link. I do not have the space for planer or ES speakers or I would have them. Get the stinking crossover out of the vocal range!
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