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.
@trn I didn't know balanced connections were preferred. The reviews of the Border patrol DAC speaks to what you are looking for. I heard one of their DACs at a show, but the set up was not very good for developing an opinion on the DAC's sound.
Good Luck. |
For R2R dac you can’t wrong with a Pontus dac. I preferred it over the terminator plus. Don’t get me wrong the terminator is a good sounding dac. I just preferred the presentation of the Pontus in my system. However I evidently purchase the Holo May Kte. With this dac I no longer hear a dac. It simply gets out of the way. |
I exclusively stream via ROON from my Auralic Aries S1 and recently purchased a Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE to compare against my Chord Hugo TT2 & Mscaler combo. So, from FPGA to R2R - the Holo Audio in my opinion sounds fuller, richer and more natural, where as the Hugo TT2 presents fantastic detail although I have found it overly analytical, accentuates sibilance for my taste and ultimately too fatiguing for long listening sessions. I’ve noticed with the Holo Audio I reach for the volume control much less than I did with the Hugo to tame the fatiguing highs. Worth mentioning I’m currently outputting to a Willsenton R8 with rolled tubes although I have my eye on a Freya + to switch out the R8 and hook up my solid state Chord Electronics SPM 1050mkii power amp (200w into 8ohms) I would suggest perhaps considering experimenting with the Freya + in tube mode and look at tube rolling, I significantly changed the sound signature of the R8 doing this. Good luck!
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You can grab the Yggdrasil OG as the GS model for cheap. It has an exuberance to it that I find compelling. I think it is far more satisfying to my ears than others near it’s price range.
the Freya+ is a really excellent preamp with the right tubes. After much experimenting, I found the combo of Ken-Rad VT231’s with blackout glass in the gain stage with smooth sounding RCA 5692’s in the buffer stage to be the overall best combo.
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I just find it a little hard to believe that, with a preamp with three very different modes of operation, the op has not even tried the other two, esp. the tubes. Press the button! Also, the Border Patrol DAC, which has been mentioned several times, and can be had for much less than a grand, could be the another answer to your problem.
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