I hear you, however I personally don't feel the need for a balanced input, as I connect my sources digitally and I find the Questyle DAC section very good. On my main system I have separates (DAC+headphone amp-preamp+power amp), but on my desktop, DAC/headphone amp all-in-one is more convenient...

I have tested the CMA Fifteen for almost 2 weeks (I still have to finish writing my review, I know...) as a headphone amp as well as a preamp connected to my desktop power amp Audio-gd Precision 3. As with headphones, the qualities that rally make the CMA Fifteen stand out among the competition...

Yes, I only detach the dongle from the laptop when I'm ready to use it, and attach it to my dedicated streaming phone (LG V30+) immediately. Let us know if it works for you also.

More then the hours you put on it, what matters more is the time you warm it up before using it. See my reply to @econaut in the post above this one

Do you warm up your RU6 before using it? Like all R2R DACs, it needs a certain amount of time for the resistors to warm up properly, you can feel it to the touch also when it's warm. In order not to drain the battery of my phone when not playing, I keep it connected to my laptop when not...

Considering the reasonable cost, I would like to give the GrapheneQ a try, but it is not clear when they would actually become available. Any insight, anyone? Thanks

Excellent presentation Jude, thank you! I’m really impressed by the AMTS technology, an out-of-the-box approach to achieve what you very appropriately defined as an “asymptotic goal”.

Nice stuff! Impressions?

To me, the ugliest is the Abyss, by far. Looks like a portable electric chair.

Thanks

I have noticed the market being flooded with DAC/amp dongles in the recent months and even weeks. The W2 is certainly the main contender for the top spot in an ideal ranking. What are in the opinion of the followers of this thread the other challengers, in terms of overall performance/sound?

Excellent consideration

I'm considering the W2 mainly for mobile streaming, using my LG V30 as a source, while I will keep using my LPGT as a mobile source to play my library.

That's more up to the recording setup than the audio chain, I believe.

Actually, it makes a lot of sense. It's the old Alan Parson's distinction between the musicophile and the audiophile (which I totally share, btw)

Thank you, very clear, well written and exhaustive impressions!

Hi, I would be very curious to have your impressions as I am considering adding an end-game headphone to my small line-up, and I am toying between Abyss AB 1266 and a Spirit Valkyria, which I have not been able to audition yet. I may soon though. as there is a reseller in Zurich who has one...

It's actually a little UNDER 10k, but then you have to add (in Italy) 22% VAT....

That includes VAT, which in Italy is 22%

I'm frankly wondering what can possibly justify a price 3 and a half times more than the MEST Mk2. Either the MEST Mk2 is a lousy iem, compared to the Mason FS, or the FS is serious ripoff. Since, from the reviews that I read and from reliable audiophiles whom I personally know the MEST Mk2...

Could you provide a link please? Thanks

Unfortunately my V30 is a Euro version, with built-in volume limitations. I have not found an effective way to bypass the limitations so far, except by using an external amp. Using iFi xCAN atm, connected to HO. Works nice, just a bit bulky.

The amp. If I could find a good balanced amp with a similar form factor as S1/W1/W2 I’d go for it.