newtophones07
1000+ Head-Fier
If I was spending 5K I would spend it on the Holo Audio May KTE and be done shopping for good. It has that R2R sound and it measures as well as a DS dac which is just amazing engineering.
I really wonder how the new Wavelight sound compares to the older Wavedream Signature XLR edition... I guess I'll never get to compare the two, but those new Wavelights and the Hydra Vox stack look like 2 impressive sets from Rockna/Audiobyte.Im not sure if it's everyones end game dac. Most think end game dacs have to cost 30k despite It's common knowledge in the industry that sound doesn't necessarily scale with amount spent.
My end game dac is the Rockna Wavelight. 4750USD It's simply the most musical dac I've ever heard. Of course YMMV
One of the best is the T+A Ha200.
Others that come to mind are:
The dCS Bartok.
Hydra Vox
And Audiovalve Solaris with DAC Module
Edit: Mola Mola Tambaqui
Go for a RME ADI2DAC. If you really want something differente there's Dante as a protocol. Really doubt you will be able to get differences from two decent DACs. Everyone seems ti have golden ears at bit level nowadays
To be honest, looking at your rig, I Will go for a TOTL headphones before thinking about the DAC (SR009S, RAAL SR1As, ...)
My 2 cents
I honestly don't have any experience with the various Dreamwave models.I really wonder how the new Wavelight sound compares to the older Wavedream Signature XLR edition... I guess I'll never get to compare the two, but those new Wavelights and the Hydra Vox stack look like 2 impressive sets from Rockna/Audiobyte.
Have a read at TAS on the Schiit Yggdrasil DAC. Often overlooked because it’s inexpensive, so some conclude it can’t be good.. Yet Robert Harley and others concluded that it’s about the best you can get regardless of cost.. I use one in my system and have no desire to change it.. I’ve had more expensive DAC’s that don’t come close to the SQ of the Yggy.. IME
I disagree with Robert. The Yggy 2 is good (I owned the latest one for a quite a while) but there are better DACs out there in around the same price range.
Which DACs did you find better than the ygg 2? What would you consider to be an upgrade?
The HA 200 looks very tempting. I will see if there is any place in my local area for an audition.
If I weren't so deep in already I'd go for the T+A Ha200, but at this point it seems like a side grade.Was on my shortlist. Having NO preamp outs (especially on this price range) was a deal breaker.
No matter how they defend that the 4-pin xlr out could be used as such....but cmon, at this price??? Tons of digital and analog inputs but no preamp outs...
On the other hand the "piece by piece" upgrade was very enjoyable
I haven't looked back into Audio-gd stuff after they sort of fell out of favor with most audio communities. I actually bought the compass back in the day when they kind of first hit the headphone market. I'm a little hesitant to spend too much on their stuff until they gain a better rep (which could be now but I haven't researched recently). Any other DACs you've tried that better those two?