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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
desktopguy
379 posts
 

I'm only interested in NOS (non-oversampling R2R) DACs these days. I have 4 of them: 2 are always in use and 2 are always stored at backups. The best of these are the Metrum Onyx & MHDT Labs Orchid.

Those 2 DACs handily illustrate a key point about NOS & R2R DACs: when you select this technology, you still face the intimidating choice of DACs that err on the side of "neutral" (ie, not warm, very resolving, big/detailed soundstage) or "colorful" (ie, maybe somewhat warm, spacious and resonant soundstage). The Onyx is the former and the Orchid is the latter. I like both sounds, depending on the downstream gear used.

+1 to the suggestion of using a DDC (digital to digital converter) with any DAC you end up with. I have two systems, and a Matrix X SPDIF 3 DDC is in each. I found years ago that I preferred digital coax to USB; since then I got several terrific coax cables and am very happy with that sound. I've also played around with AES/BSU cables and like that sound. None of my NOS DACs have I2S inputs, but when I get a DAC that does, the DDC allows its use.

kairosman's avatar
kairosman
295 posts
 

@drmuso would LOVE to see the innards, do you ever pop the hood on your DACs?

adasdad's avatar
adasdad
145 posts
 

I say get a used Chord TT2 DAC. Here’s one that I found on eBay. I’ve got one as the heart of my system and I absolutely love it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/356280491805?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Z5tP63kISuO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=Bul91bNkTOO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,437 posts
 

OP, the LTA Aero is out of your range but looks right up your alley. Mine is on order. 
 

I agree with you. There’s so much hype. So many reviews.  So many forum threads.  It gets confusing fast.  

stuartk
2,958 posts
 

@bunkertoy 

Check this out -- Bricasti M3 in 9/10 cond. for $2500 :

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650163190-bricasti-m3/

This is a great deal!  

 

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