Best R2R DAP?

[rickles]

I typically enjoy R2R DACs, and am curious on which DAPs that leverage R2R DAC sections are most loved here on Head-Fi. Let's hear it!

 

[slumberman]

Luxury & Precision P6 Pro and LP6 are the undisputed kings, from a sonic aspect. Granted, their lack of streaming and archaic OS makes them less of an enjoyable experience, but the sound is unmatched. I personally own the P6 Pro and I’m very happy with it!

 

[searchingtom]

I currently have both the RS8 and the new SE300. I have owned the P6 Pro and regret selling it. The RS8 is very good but I am taking a shining to the SE300 as it plays well in may favorite music genre (string quartet). If only the UI wasn't somewhat laggy - odd for a new $2000 DAP. I imagine the P7 Pro will cost around $7000?

 

[gazzington]

Rs6 is great value for money

 

[rickles]

Luxury & Precision P6 Pro and LP6 are the undisputed kings, from a sonic aspect. Granted, their lack of streaming and archaic OS makes them less of an enjoyable experience, but the sound is unmatched. I personally own the P6 Pro and I’m very happy with it!

Can you tell me more about this? I'm looking at P6 Pro. It looks like it's from 2021 (?) has L&P updated this, or is this still the current flagship? What OS does it run? Does it feel laggy, or otherwise have a poor UX?

I currently have both the RS8 and the new SE300. I have owned the P6 Pro and regret selling it. The RS8 is very good but I am taking a shining to the SE300 as it plays well in may favorite music genre (string quartet). If only the UI wasn't somewhat laggy - odd for a new $2000 DAP. I imagine the P7 Pro will cost around $7000?

The RS8 looks like a great DAP, and appears more modern than the P6 Pro. How do you compare the two?

 

[searchingtom]

Can you tell me more about this? I'm looking at P6 Pro. It looks like it's from 2021 (?) has L&P updated this, or is this still the current flagship? What OS does it run? Does it feel laggy, or otherwise have a poor UX?


The RS8 looks like a great DAP, and appears more modern than the P6 Pro. How do you compare the two?

From a full value perspective the RS8 is better. I can only speak from my favorite genre - string quartet music. I would say the RS8 sounds "fuller" and the P6 Pro a very small tad more organic. A lot is going to depend on your chain and especially headphone synergy. I mostly listen with the Audio-Technica WP900 which is slightly bright. Can't go wrong with either one - but the RS8 is a far more modern and capable experience.

 

[RSC08]

Is the A&K SE300 currently the best portable dap for R2R?

 

[jjach]

Just curious specifically for your use why does an R2R DAP appeal to you?

 

[alekc]

Just curious specifically for your use why does an R2R DAP appeal to you?

@jjach I am probably in a similar position to @RCS08 looking for an R2R DAP. My reasons are:

1. I'm fed up with connecting notebook or Xduoo Turntable transport and carrying it all with me.
2. I'm fed up with Chord Poly + Chord Mojo 2 limited battery life, slow charging cycle, draining the battery when the setup is theoretically turned off (but it is never shutdown), Poly not being able to connect modern Wifi, bluetooth connection dropping for no reason, cumbersome SD card playback with manual list creation.
3. I'd like to have my Rockna WaveLight in my pocket when I am travelling.
4. I'd like to have a single unit to do it all when I'm on the go.

+ the difference between NOS and OS modes in R2R dacs.

 

[RSC08]

Just curious specifically for your use why does an R2R DAP appeal to you?

For me it would just be to have a different "flavour" on my DAP "collection". I'm a simple man at heart.

 

[jjach]

@jjach I am probably in a similar position to @RCS08 looking for an R2R DAP. My reasons are:

1. I'm fed up with connecting notebook or Xduoo Turntable transport and carrying it all with me.
2. I'm fed up with Chord Poly + Chord Mojo 2 limited battery life, slow charging cycle, draining the battery when the setup is theoretically turned off (but it is never shutdown), Poly not being able to connect modern Wifi, bluetooth connection dropping for no reason, cumbersome SD card playback with manual list creation.
3. I'd like to have my Rockna WaveLight in my pocket when I am travelling.
4. I'd like to have a single unit to do it all when I'm on the go.

+ the difference between NOS and OS modes in R2R dacs.

100% makes total sense. I went from dongle to DAC to DAP. Dongle not powerful enough. DAC was good but very big connected to phone. DAP is huge, not connected to phone, but awesome sound and power. Using the M17 DAP, thinking of trying the sp3000. Curious how the M17 will also compare to the N8ii or LP L6 Pro r2r. Now I'm researching the Shanling M9. Wish I could spend a week with each and pick the one that is best for me.

 

[mancur]

I use both the RS8 and RS6. The RS8 packs more punch especially in high gain / turbo mode, stages larger and is less warm. The filters and plug-ins are also interesting to play with. It’s my travel companion with its all day battery life.

The RS6 is a more chill, intimate listen with great imaging and layering but tilting warmer. It’s an alternative I enjoy quite frequently for vocal centric music especially but my battery anxiety gets triggered when using on high gain.

I'm fed up with Chord Poly + Chord Mojo 2 limited battery life, slow charging cycle, draining the battery when the setup is theoretically turned off (but it is never shutdown), Poly not being able to connect modern Wifi, bluetooth connection dropping for no reason, cumbersome SD card playback with manual list creation.

I don’t know if you’re on the latest Poly firmware but playing off the SD card on the Mojo2-Poly works a lot better for me now after I updated. I use Rigelian on an iPhone as the controller. For sheer commuting convenience, I connect the Mojo 2 to my Hiby R3ii via coaxial and attached together using Velcro. Battery life in this mode is especially good on the Hiby and the Mojo 2 plays long enough. For me, this combo sets a high bar for DAPs to beat in terms of sound quality alone though I typically don’t stream or use Bluetooth.

 

[alekc]

I don’t know if you’re on the latest Poly firmware but playing off the SD card on the Mojo2-Poly works a lot better for me now after I updated. I use Rigelian on an iPhone as the controller. For sheer commuting convenience, I connect the Mojo 2 to my Hiby R3ii via coaxial and attached together using Velcro. Battery life in this mode is especially good on the Hiby and the Mojo 2 plays long enough. For me, this combo sets a high bar for DAPs to beat in terms of sound quality alone though I typically don’t stream or use Bluetooth.

@mancur Yes I'm running latest firmware on my Poly, and indeed things got improved over time, but it took Chord so much time that the Poly hardware got outdated and you can't fix all the issues I've mentioned by software. I suspect Poly has been a flawed design from very beginning: underpowered, energy hungry, probably had some issues with heat dissipation etc. It will never be what it should be and what has been promised IMHO. Looking at "adventures" first customers of 2go/2yu had I learn my lesson: never buy a streamer from Chord. They can manufacture great dac and not a bad amps but they have no idea about building streamers and software for such hardware.

Thank you for your RS6 vs RS8 description. This was very helpful - at least for me as apparently getting A&K dap for demo isn't as easy thing I've initially hoped for so Hiby is on my potential short list.

From your description RS6 would better fit my musical preferences: I prefer a musical, analog sound: very smooth with a bit of softness but one that can show some edges when for example in NOS mode. The hint of warmth or a bit tube-like sound is nice. My current most used IEMs are Meze Advar but I would like to pair the dap with Focal Stellias and Meze Empys.

 

[mancur]

I’m of the same mind about Chord @alekc. They make great dac/amps but the portable streaming solution is not well implemented like modern daps can be. At home, I find both the Poly and 2Go best for streaming via Roon.

I’ve not tried headphones on the RS6 though so can’t speak for that but a demo would definitely be worthwhile in any case.

 

[originalsnuffy]

I know that you asked for a DAP and for R2R. But I would consider the Cayin RU7 dongle. It has a 1 bit architecture and sounds sublime. I pair it with Neutron player and it is great. If you are an Apple person there are some nuances if you care about DSD, so if interested let me know and I can expand. But it is dead silent, very true to the music, and a great listen. I prefer to carry one small device plus my phone.