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DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??

Hi All,

Well I've been reading a ton of threads about DACs. This is a very complicated endeavor, trying to find a new DAC. My 1st question is: Can I trust all the Youtube reviews these days ?

Seems like everyone is promoting the same DACs. I'm looking into a R2R Dac. Tons of hype for Holo May,Cyan,Laiv Harmony,Denafrips. Are these truly great Dacs or are they just the flavour of the month ?. There is almost zero negativity towards these Dacs. It's kind of like when the Eversolo streamers came out. Seemed like every reviewer was pushing the Eversolo. So searching for a new DAC online almost seems like sponsored ADs everywhere, am I wrong in feeling this way ?

That all being said here is my criteria for a new DAC (Probably searching the used market to get best value)

I believe I want to go with a R2R Dac, but it's not a dealbreaker.

My budget: $1000-$3000

My system: Bryston 3B Cubed, VTL(tube pre),Bel Canto 3.7 Dac(with upgrades), Antipodes Ds-3(player/server).

I really enjoy my Bel Canto 3.7, but it doesn't have USB input and I'm curious how much better a DAC sounds in 2024, compared to an older Bel Canto,. My BC has an upgraded linear supply. Once again this DAC sounds beautiful, but when its not compared to anything......Maybe I'm depriving myself of a better DAC. This is the only DAC I've had with existing equipment.

I know plenty of you will say go audition as many DACs as you can, but that is difficult unless it's hooked up to my gear. Won't help going to a store with a DAC being hooked up to different gear.Plus I want to buy used. I can buy higher end with a bit of a discount.

 

From my research these are the DACs I'm thinking of pursuing:

Laiv Harmony

Denafrips Pontas ii

Holo Cyan

 

You can tell from my choices that I've been buying into the hype.

Please add to my list of DACs and please dispel any extra hype over the most talked about models.

Cheers.

128x128bunkertoy
bassbuyer
51 posts
 

There are a lot of videos for  DACs.  I have had good experiences with the recommendations from Hans B. And New Record Day for DACs along with Erin and Audioholics for speakers etc. 

 I’ve tried 10 DACs including the ones built into my Rotel preamp and CD player.  My budget is $2K US.  The best to my ears in my system is the Holo Audio Cyan 2, which is what I’m using in my main system.  It is only a DAC so you need a separate streamer.  I’m using the Innuos Zen Mk3 connected with a Pine Tree Audio USB cable.  It was about $1300 delivered US.  The May is supposedly even better but beyond my budget.  
 

I know it can be overwhelming but my suggestion is to enjoy the journey, trust your ears and stay within your budget.  Upgrading, tweaking and trying different components is a great part of this hobby for me.  Good luck and please let us know what you decide to do. 

mn2422
46 posts
 

USB out from M1 MacBook Pro to Teac nt-505 to Yamaha a-s2000 to La Scalas…sounds great to me…also enjoy SMSL m400 and Topping d90…

pennfootball71's avatar
pennfootball71
278 posts
 

NO you cannot trust anybody on PooTube!

They don’t even have the experience to review anything 2 channel except headphones! That’s all I can trust them to listen to.

At your budget nothing is going to make you happy just use your DAC now and love your amazing system.

 

 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jallan
301 posts
 

The Border Patrol R2R Dacs are on sale, for around $1473 to $1975 based on the number of inputs. The GSII Schiit Yggdrasil OG is $1699. Both of these sound great and are made in the USA. 

jimmyblues1959
143 posts
 

Unfortunately, most audio reviews are based on the hype a company can generate through paid advertising revenue to the magazines their equipment is reviewed in. 

Not only is this a conflict of interest,  it also means that in all likelihood unless you're advertising in an audio magazine (which is usually expensive) you won't be able to get your audio gear reviewed.  

Years ago I spoke with the owner of a company that designed and manufactured a fine line of digital to analogue converters, one of which I owned.  When I asked him why I had never seen any other reviews of his gear he lamented that he could not compete with larger companies like Mark Levinson, because they had much larger advertising budgets which ensured that not only would their gear get reviewed, but that the reviews would always be positive;  since the magazines would never give up their advertising revenue. 

As such,  those who seek to purchase audio gear must rely on their own ears and when possible travel to an audio store that carries the equipment they are interested in purchasing.  It's also a good idea to find a store that will allow you to demo the gear in your own home system so that you'll know whether or not you will be satisfied with the equipment you are thinking of buying, once you hear it in your own system. 

To thine own ears be true. 😉

 

 

 

 

 

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