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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.
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- 112 posts total
In any serious comparison that rises above the noisiness of anecdotes filled with subjective claims about sound signatures, I highly recommend going to Audio Science Review and checking out the leader board. The upper quartile of DACs are sonically neutral and effectively indistinguishable from one another. The various discussions there by seasoned engineers, DIY experimenters, and even leading audio equipment vendors (Dan Clark is discussing his new headphones right now!) are eye-opening regarding some of the topics that are quite jumbled/confused here on Audiogon, like I2S versus USB 3.0, the effectiveness of cables, oversampling, and so on. Such a great resource for aspiring audio equipment fans and the cognoscenti alike! Best of luck on your search! |
Maybe starting 8yrs ago, there have been great sonic strides in digital DACs. Notable DACs:
Ferrum Wandla and Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC seems like sonic bargains at their price points. The T+A DAC200 is also a solid Sonic choice. But, if you want to swing for the Sonic fences, then maybe 11k MBL C41 Network Player (streamer+DAC) whose Sonic’s competes with top DACs. TAS Exec Editor JV called it a “bargain” whose Sonic’s are somewhat comparable to the ~68k Kalista DreamPlay. This review just came out in TAS Dec 2024 issue. “superb near tape sound..”. |
- 112 posts total