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Six DAC Comparison

I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.

Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.

Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.

My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.

mitch2
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,208 posts
 

Depending on your budget 

I sell my self Denafrips products ,I hear a lot of equipment to the many audio get togethers I have gone to over the past 2 years , in the $3k range the Pontus Gen 15 is not a  bias it is far better built then anything in the $3k price class but $1k less 

it’s the Ex Venus 12  ,   The T+Aw200 dac is very good with a lot of tuning possibilities , as good or better then the New Denafrips Terminator 15,

or Holo May KTE dac  the Mojo. Sounds good $7k on up has at least some inputs , I2S inputs should be standard ,many people have nice digital transports like Esoteric, Jays Audio which allows you to play SACDs k and many people use a DDC I2S is the best soundin digital input currently, even the LTA aero which I think sounds nice with the 2 tubes missed the mark , even they agree ,the next modification will have I2S .  DDC to clean the incoming signal from their computer or streamer  with absolutely make a improvement , look at the Chord Dave pretty $$ expensive to most then has a ad on reclocker  that is what makes it special combined together. That’s my opinion and many others , PS audio set the standard on the pin out that most cable makers are now using for I2S .

soix
9,780 posts
 

I sell my self Denafrips products ,I hear a lot of equipment to the many audio get togethers I have gone to over the past 2 years , in the $3k range the Pontus Gen 15 is not a  bias it is far better built then anything in the $3k price class but $1k less 

@audioman58  You have now become the new audiotroy with self-serving and completely shameless self promotion.  

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,208 posts
 

Hey soux you could not be more wrong ,I help people with msay things with products I don’t own or sell ,your ignorance is apparent , if you read. The 1000s of input regarding audio, I get emails and phone calls weekly .Having owned a Audio

store for over a decade and know modding well ,in 40 years in Audio

systems synergy is more important then monies. I not once ever stated Denafrips

was the best ,I it is a excellent product and great value ,is this wrong ?

I have told many on which products maybe a good fit for their Audio system 

even if they don’t spent a $ Dime , just loook at my feedbacks from buyers ,

have a good day !!

stuartk
3,016 posts
 

@mitch2 

Thanks. Don't recall whether I mentioned on this thread that I was ready to buy a Mojo DAC 2-3 years back but Benjamin recommended that I upgrade transport first, so that's what I did. 

zmann007's avatar
zmann007
21 posts
 

Based on my careful reading of this extraordinary thread, I've reached out to Benjamin, and purchased a Mystique X '24. So hats off to @mitch2 for a really informative and thoughtful analysis of the top players in what can be considered the semi-affordable realm. Now the fun part: my CEC transport hooks up just fine via AES / EBU, but when attempting to override the internal DAC in my HiFi Rose 150B, the latter device refuses to recognize the new DAC. And yes, I've triple checked all the connections and selected USB out on the "in/out" selection panel; even swapped in a different cable to rule out a bad connection.

Has anyone successfully overcome the Rose 150B's apparent inability to "see" the Mystique via USB? Or is my only option to pick up an RCA coax and avoid the USB connection altogether? Please do not suggest selling the Rose and picking up another streamer, as I'm pretty tapped out by this and a couple of other chunky purchases this year, and I rather like the touchscreen ease of ops on the Rose. If this is an inappropriate hijack, mods should feel free to delete. Thanks!

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