Holographic DAC With Air And Decay
Like the title says what’s your vote for favorite Dac when it comes air, decay and three dimensional soundstage? Looking at 3k or less used. I tend to prefer R2R and, or tubes. I suppose I'm open to other options as long as it sounds smooth and refined. As always I look forward to all your input, thanks!
I’ll add another vote for the Wyred4Sound Anniversary DAC. I previously used the Pontus II + Iris combo and liked the laid back and natural tone very much. The W4S DAC was a big step up, improving the clarity, pace and details while not sounding digital. If you purchase it make sure to also order the Recovery and DC blocker units (thanks @jsalerno277). I’m curious about the Gustard X30 and HoloAudio Cyan. If Denafrips ups the game on the Pontus or Venus that would interest me. |
@fanofmsu Yes I use the ISO and DC Recovery. They elevate the performance notably with a blacker background, better detail retrieval and imaging/staging. Replacing the Wyred supplied USB and wall wart LPS with higher quality products is mandatory to achieve the performance I speak of. However, for transparency, even though I believe the 10th Anniversary one of the best under $5k DACs and competitive with DACs many times its price in the areas I mentioned in my previous post, I am making my final improvement for my retirement system and picking up a Mola Mola Tambaqui from GTT Audio tomorrow. The 10th Anniversary will be on the market soon. I am going for that extra level of detail retrieval, extra level of analog/tube-like sweetness, liquidity, imaging/staging the Tambaqui provides. It comes at a cost but I will not be making any more changes in retirement.
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I love my Doge 7 DAC. It's extremely analog-like and 3D. It projects a really grand soundstage, with tons of instrumental weight, air and color. Actively musical. You need to spend a fair amount on good tubes for the output. Much better than the Border Patrol, which I found a bit "stiff" and unyielding, or an Orchid NOS, which I find a little dry. But the Doge is a tough sell--I think they're out of business but you can buy them used for less than $1500. And service? Fuggedaboudit, unless you PM me because I have the schematic and our tech at my business was easily able to replace a faulty current source PNP. A friend has had one for years now years with no problems. Built like a tank. Really a great, much-underrated DAC, IMO. |
@lanx0003 I will be comparing the X-30 to my Gustard R26 which is an r2r dac like the Cyan 2. I really like my R26, but if the reviews of the X-30 are accurate, the X-30 should be slightly better. How much the improvement is worth would very from person to person. |
