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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
kairosman's avatar
kairosman
285 posts
 

OP, another option is to go ALL OUT and buy an end-game DAC, then upgrade slowly the rest of the chain over the next few years as your budget allows. My sources, ie my TT, CD transport and DAC, are where 50% of my system $ is allocated to. You may feel differently, most for example think it is the speakers that merit the biggest spend, to each his own obviously.

My current top DAC is the Lampizator Baltic 4, my end-game DAC is the Lampizator Poseidon - but it's $25K so I gotta be lucky with my crypto this year coming if I'm gonna be able to pull the trigger.

FYI Lampizator has a chip-based converter, tube rectification, and tubes in the output stage, so the house sound is a great blend of resolution, dynamics and soundstage grandeur.

But sadly the stuff ain't cheap 😕 

pooch2's avatar
pooch2
83 posts
 

I have had my first R2R dac (Laiv) for a number of months, and I am very pleased with its overall presentation, it's quite organic compared to a number of delta sigma dacs that I have owned. Of the chip dacs I would say the burr brown chip in DSD is close. I should add that the Laiv Harmony has performed without issue, although it's  early days so i withhold comment until I have owned it for a while. I think you have to listen to a new dac, after it has broken in,  like most new pieces of audio equipment for a period of time, "live with it", sort of to really give it a proper evaluation. I don't know how you get something new, listen to it for a week or 2, and make a decision. It takes me some time to properly evaluate a new piece, in my system, especially speakers and dacs.

 

 

bunkertoy's avatar
bunkertoy OP
52 posts
 

@kairosman I would love to try out a Lampizator DAC. I've heard great things.... I'll just have to wait for a used bargain. They rarely sell in Canada. I find many in the U.S don't like to ship to Canada for some reason.

thegoldengoose's avatar
thegoldengoose
39 posts
 

The hype is hard to keep up with, but there are many great DACs depending on what you want to spend (and what you want to hear.) First I wanted a Weis, then a T+A, but bought a LaIV Harmony which I love. I briefly had buyer’s remorse when I heard about Holo, but then decided I made the right choice with LAiV. Nagra & Lampizator are too much for me and I would spend the cash on improving others area of my system first. Those Watt Puppies are still just a pipe dream for me.

brbrock's avatar
brbrock
45 posts
 

Lampizator doesn't show pictures of the inside of their equipment.   Are they trying to hide cheap parts or the secret sauce?

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