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.

128x128trn

The Singularity tech in the Schitt refers to their FPGA ideas for a DAC.

I wrote on other threads some comparisons of the Yggi+ OG to the $15k Lumin X1 that I owned. My OG was also recently at a headphone show and went head-to-head with the $15k or $20k Chord Dave and the Mola Mola Tambaqui DACs. The results were interesting, and I feel lucky to have bought the last Yggi+ OG available. This one is a keeper. Not a fan anymore of the LIM DAC I own. The MIB is supposed to be close in sound to my OG.

The next versions will be better. The guy designing these DACs is a superstar in this tech and has over 30 years of experience.

So you don’t piss in the wind and waste money and be disappointed, I would call Mikey at 11 stereo…he has great dacs for every price range and is honest…he won’t over sell you…for budget minded he has the New Ontech Dac07 with I have be using for a while it’s great for 2500, next up is the Audio Analogue AADAC for 5000…he has the Meitner MA-3 for 10k which I am thinking about upgrading to…

‘bottom line let the experience of a expert help you…

I would stay with a Pass Labs preamp, I sorta read through this post fast if you are considering a preamp…the Pass Pre sounds the best with my PassXA25 and First watt sit-4 going to the Volti audio speakers…

I have the Denafrips Venus 12th anniversary and the New Ontech Dac07, both going into the same streamer, Venus with 12s and dac07 with an rca cable ..the Venus has more grit and very detailed and dynamic where the New Ontech has all those qualities but more musical and smooth less fatigue but certain times of the day I love both..click of the Pass remote makes it easy to change dacs..all of us are very fortunate….

If you are running the Freya+ in passive mode then you are using the wrong Schiit. In that price range, you should switch to the Kara, a newer model that gives a much fuller presentation in the midrange than Kara+ in passive.

+1 on Merason Reuss. I just got the Dac 1mkII and it transformed my system into liquid gold. I was previously using my Chord Qutest or the dac on my Luxman CD 03, both of which were ok, but a bit dry. All of the Merason line I’ve heard are musical with fantastic clarity, a rare breed.