Another Denafrips fan here (R2R). I have the Pontus 12th Anniversary and it's the best DAC I have tried. Only compared it to less expensive Benchmark, Schiit and a few others.
Needing DAC Advice
My main, current system is a Schiit Urd through a Benchmark DAC3 B through a Schiit Freya+ (running in passive mode exclusively - I haven't even tried the tube output), to Pass Labs X150's to Martin Logan SL3's (and a couple of rythmik subs).
When I 'listen' to music, I listen to CD's or vinyl. I don't stream - too many places for signal compromise in the streaming chain for my tastes and, more importantly, I'm vehemently opposed to paying a provider who profits by paying artists virtually nothing for their content. When I can, I buy physical media directly from the artists I want to hear.
A brief description of my pathway to here: the best-sounding system (for me) I've ever had was a modded Wadia 831 direct to a Pass Lab amp to ML's. (I'm a less is more adherent). I replaced the Wadia, as it was getting long in the tooth and I was worried about service, with an Oppo BDP105, then a modded 105D, again, directly driving the amps. Decent, but not the magic of the Wadia.
Which brings me to today - a transport and DAC. After much research, I went with the URD (because of the transport) through the Benchmark .I added the Freya+ in case I want to add vinyl to this system and the fact that the Freya is a 3-in-1 preamp. (I've got another, tube-based system for vinyl).
And here's the issue. The system is not a terribly musical-sounding set up. It 'sounds' very good: great detail, fast, big soundstage, blah, blah, blah...All those adjectives we regularly throw around. It's very 'there'! Sounds better than with the Oppo. But it is not...engaging? No soul?
I'm thinking it's the DAC. Maybe I'm just might not be a fan of Sabre or DS in general. Maybe I need try an R2R DAC. So, I started looking: Border Patrol, Denefripes, Mojo Audio, MHDT Orchid, HoloAudio, Lab 12, or even the Schiit Yggy.. Some of these add tubes which I'm not sure I want to do unless they can be bypassed (much as I love tubes, I'm not sure a DAC is the right place to use them.) Finally, before I go down the DAC rabbit hole, I will give the Freya tube output some serious listening, just in case tubes are the missing link. Otherwise, my questions are do you think that R2R is directionally correct and, if so, what suggestions/recommendations might you have? Thanks and I apologize for the length but I'm well aware that more detail I can provide upfront, the more useful your responses are likely to be.
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- 52 posts total
Get a really good active preamp. It’s the heart of a good system. I don’t think a DAC will exploit the rest of your system like a nice preamp. I’m talking a preamp that not a lateral move , far from it, something used that you otherwise could not afford Your DAC is no slouch, I have the Lab 12 , it’s a great DAC but the amp and preamp is more influential on the sound quality in my experience. |
@yage I won't be changing my speakers. I like the sound of the SL3's. They've been rebuilt and they agree favorably with my Pass amps. @big_greg I looked hard at Jays transport before buying the Urd. I convinced myself I wouldn't like the top loader but I'm re-thinking that. Also thought about the Pro-ject CD Box Rs2T but I don't have the real estate to accommodate the lid. @sls883 I tried the transport/dac with my primaluna before I got the Freya. it just can't drive the electrostatics very well. Just not enough horsepower to make those speakers work. My 105 into the primaluna driving L100's in my studio (near field) on the other hand, is very enjoyable. |
- 52 posts total