LeMat
100+ Head-Fier
So overall, how does the Auralic Taurus MK.II, and the Schiit Ragnarok compare head to head when driving various headphones such as the:
HD650, HD800/800S, Hifiman HE-6, HE1000 mk2, etc?
They both can be had for nearly the same price.
Being in the same boat, i.e. looking on what's next after the Taurus, I've looked into this comparison and found out the Rag was not a real set up. While being a real swiss knife, its sound is supposed to be more edgy and harsh than the taurus but a bit more resolving. Not a true upgrade.
I've explored all options I could find, and in my case, I wanted to keep the balanced output that I use with active monitors. Result....nothing. TOTL tube amp are mostly SE, sometimes balanced (WA22) but couldn't find any with a balanced output.
Some model like the Moon seem interesting but I have no interest in an integrated DAC. Not worth its price without the DAC IMO.
As a TOTL tube amp, DNA, Lampizator or the yet to be released new cavalli seem to be good options but their features remain basics and are pretty pricey,
Wait for Taurus 3?
Bottom line, it seems there is no TOTL tube amp (or more analog sounding SS amp) with the same feature available on the Taurus.
CoLdAsSauLt let us know how the status will compare with your Taurus