@jsalerno277 I went from a $1,650 r2r dac to a $3,000 chip dac. Same brand, so it's not really a fair comparison of r2r versus chip dac. I was worried about losing the favorable qualities of the r2r dac, but that wasn't the case at all. I much prefer the chip dac.
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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Not a DAC recommendation but since you mention you like the idea of less is more, straight wire concept, have you considered an LDR passive preamp? I have one from stereo coffee that I use with my Pass XA30.5 and I love it. I was previously using an LTA MZ2 and sometimes a bottlehead Moreplay as a preamp and they had some things that I loved but the transparency, soundstage and channel separation in the LDR preamp is sooo good it's not worth giving up for the bit of tube magic that the others provide. Great at all volumes too. I notice dynamics are just as impactful no matter what my listening level. |
@sls883 - R2R DAC requires high quality precise components. Thus $1600 won't cut it and chip will do it better. But you won't find ESS in dCS gear. |
@mikhailark That's great, but you aren't going to convince me that an excellent dac cannot be built around ESS chips. |
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