x RELIC x
Headphoneus Supremus
The DAVE is a $10k Odac.
Mkaaay. I'm curious if you've actually heard the DAVE. When I first got mine I thought it sounded too warm, too 'analogue'. It also didn’t jump out and scream dry detail to me. This was comparing to my Audio-GD R2R gear at the time (admittedly not the best R2R gear). Great measurements don't mean sterile or boring, which is what I'm sensing a lot of the perception is lately. The implementation in the DAVE is far removed from the ODAC, which I don't find particularly good BTW.
With the Utopia I would agree with @MacedonianHero and it's a fantastic pairing in my opinion. Not peaky or sibilant. Not bright or metallic. I also hear very good musicality. Nothing that would really make me feel the need to sell either piece of equipment as I'm not a soundstage addict, although I have zero complaints of the Utopia's soundstage with the DAVE. Others may not feel the same and that's fine, YMWV. I do find it funny though that the pairing was simply mentioned as enjoyable and then a debate erupts. A member posted it was the best he had heard. Others may have heard better for them and their tastes.
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