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(Another) DAC Recommendation Request

Hey All:

My system:

  • Belles Aria Integrated Amp
  • Schiit Gungnir (1) multibit dac
  • Cyrus cd/t
  • Friz Carbon 7 SE Mk2 speakers

Getting ready to add a streamer/server (probably Aurender N150), but have been thinking that my dac is a weak spot. The Gumby’s mid-range is spot-on for me and the pairing with the Fritz’s produces sufficient bass for my needs, but the Gumby feels lacking, even a little harsh, in the higher frequencies. So, the ask: can anyone recommend a dac that will add some better detail and color in the high end?

Seeing the Schiit Yggy+ GS2 and the Denafrips Pontus 15 each going for <$2K really whet my appetite, but a recent audition of a friend’s Yggy LIM left me underwhelmed as did the audio comparison portion of a YouTube review (caveat emptor) of the Pontus.

My budget is <$3,500, and, TBTH, I really don’t want a massive piece of equipment that’s going to run really hot and dominate the living room (WAF). I’ve gone down the rabbit hole on this and have now researched many dac’s without coming up with a satisfactory solution.

Thanks for your insights.

danto
soix
9,630 posts
 

Hard to see either the Yggy GS2 or the Pontus 15th not being a considerable improvement in the areas you’re concerned about — and no the YouTube comparisons don’t count for squat as they’re low-res garbage.  If you could stretch a bit, the new Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC might be a home run, and they offer a trial period.  Best of luck. 
 

https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/aero-dac-digital-analog-converter

yyzsantabarbara
4,910 posts
 

The Yggi+ LIM is rolled off on top. It works for me on a bright setup but that was in the past so I am in the queue to convert the LIM to the MIB.

The MIB is supposed to be more like the Yggi+ OG that I also own and love. The Yggi+ OG DAC was involved in a shootout with the Chord DAVE and the Mola Mola Tambaqui using the $10k RAAL 1995 Immanis headphones. I was not there but the owner of the DAVE wrote the following:

Another Head-Fi’er, @yyzSB, sent his Schiit Audio Yggdrasil+ OG DAC with Danny, and I got a chance to listen to it not only driving my Immanis through my Zahl HM1 and VM-1a, but also through Danny’s Feliks Audio Envy. It has great tonal density—more than my Dave. And it does bass drum better than I think I’ve ever heard. Not only with the impact of the drum strikes, but the hollow reverb (I mean hollow in a good way here) of the sound of that strike bouncing around inside the drum. Timbre across the rest of the FR, and technicalities, were a touch behind my Dave, with the Yggi+ sounding a hair more digital. But the Yggi+ is also much less expensive and offers insane SQ per $.

My friend Danny whose hearing is incredible (a musician) told me that he liked the Tambaqui more, but he surprised me by saying even he would not be able to tell in a blind test.

Schitt is coming out with their FPGA Singularity DAC in 2025.

dwest1023
212 posts
 

I have and own a OG YGG. It is a very good dac, if you can find one. However I thought the Pontus was better when I owned it. I preferred the Pontus over the terminator I bought and sold. My most enjoyable dac that I’m using in my system is the May Holo spring Kte. You might add any of the Holo dacs for consideration. Btw  this Aurender streamers are superb sounding with easy to use software. I’ve owned the N200 and now for me, endgame N20.

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