[FredA]

I just commented on this in the R2R-11 thread. I will use a DDC w/the R2R-11 MK2; and/or a SPDIF converter.

So far the sound of this unit is quite promising. I love NOS digital and am happy to have another NOS box in the house.

I rarely use USB straight in these days. I find coax always sounds better...

The mkii extacts a lot of details, it is quite amazing. The better the ddc, the better it will sound but the usb input, passed 500h, is really excellent with the upgrades. Your Matrix should do even better.

 

[Pharmaboy]

The mkii extacts a lot of details, it is quite amazing. The better the ddc, the better it will sound but the usb input, passed 500h, is really excellent with the upgrades. Your Matrix should do even better.

For about 3 seconds I thought about buying the USB upgrades Kingwa offers. But it was ~$100K add'l for a benefit I didn't really need. I would (in effect) be buying an upgrade I don't need solely so the unit would be easier to eventually sell.

That's a state of low-to-no audio commitment I haven't quite reached yet...

 

[FredA]

For about 3 seconds I thought about buying the USB upgrades Kingwa offers. But it was ~$100K add'l for a benefit I didn't really need. I would (in effect) be buying an upgrade I don't need solely so the unit would be easier to eventually sell.

That's a state of low-to-no audio commitment I haven't quite reached yet...

The usb input got better after the review but an excellent ddc will still best it. You need an excellent setup to see its limits.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

For about 3 seconds I thought about buying the USB upgrades Kingwa offers. But it was ~$100K add'l for a benefit I didn't really need.

Well, I have always considered Audio-gd products best values. But your comment about $100K worth of USB upgrades calls my previous appraisal into question

 

[Pharmaboy]

Well, I have always considered Audio-gd products best values. But your comment about $100K worth of USB upgrades calls my previous appraisal into question

Your comment made me think twice. Maybe I'm wrong about $100.

Just checked. I was wrong. The USB upgrades = $69 above standard version's price. This is copied from the "Custom Option" sub-page for the R2R-11 MK2 on Audio GD's website:

R2R-11 mk2 Standard version: USD599
R2R-11 mk2 Full upgrade version: USD668 (USB module clocks upgraded to Crysteks, built-in isolator for the USB module)

My apologies to Audio GD. I should have said "...~$70 add'l for a benefit I didn't really need."

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Your comment made me think twice. Maybe I'm wrong about $100.

Just checked. I was wrong. The USB upgrades = $69 above standard version's price. This is copied from the "Custom Option" sub-page for the R2R-11 MK2 on Audio GD's website:

R2R-11 mk2 Standard version: USD599
R2R-11 mk2 Full upgrade version: USD668 (USB module clocks upgraded to Crysteks, built-in isolator for the USB module)

My apologies to Audio GD. I should have said "...~$70 add'l for a benefit I didn't really need."

Are you still not seeing that you wrote $100K worth of upgrades?

I wasn't splitting hairs about $70 vs $100, but rather $100,000

 

[Pharmaboy]

Omigod, that's insane! No, I didn't notice that.

Please excuse me, everyone. Just found out I'm an ass in print...

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Sorry man, I don't think you're that at all. I just thought I was in the high-end forum again.

 

[FredA]

Lol! I had noticed the 100K.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Sorry man, I don't think you're that at all. I just thought I was in the high-end forum again.

FUNNY!

 

[hikaru12]

Hey guys,

Two questions - Can you get the R2R11 in balanced configuration? and how is the bass slam on it? I'm looking for another secondary DAC since Schiit is out of stock out of all their stuff for foreseeable future.

 

[FredA]

Hey guys,

Two questions - Can you get the R2R11 in balanced configuration? and how is the bass slam on it? I'm looking for another secondary DAC since Schiit is out of stock out of all their stuff for foreseeable future.

No balance config.

Good bass slam with excellent definition.

 

[hikaru12]

No balance config.

Good bass slam with excellent definition.

Thanks for the quick response - is there a preferred digital input that sounds the best or is the USB competent?

 

[FredA]

Thanks for the quick response - is there a preferred digital input that sounds the best or is the USB competent?

Usb is very good with the upgrade, passed the 500h burn-in. SPDIF is even better if you use an excellent DDC, like the di20. Usb is no slouch really.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Hey guys,

Two questions - Can you get the R2R11 in balanced configuration? and how is the bass slam on it? I'm looking for another secondary DAC since Schiit is out of stock out of all their stuff for foreseeable future.

The R2R-11 Gen 1 is an amazing value. I haven't heard the Gen 2 but I trust Fred's excellent review that he posted earlier.

Anyway, if you want balanced and are willing to spend another thousand (it's only money after all) the R8 MKII is a fantastic DAC with a lot of connectivity.