I've been trying for about a year, off and on, to find the right upgrade for this combo.
I am currently using a Yggdrasil (1st addition), and it's currently being upgraded to an Analog 2 by Schiit.
The original Yggdrasil combination is very good, but I think I can do better. I may be going in the wrong direction with the upgrade, for reasons described below, but I figure it's worth a try before I invest in something else.
While many may disagree, my primary criteria is tonality, and secondary criteria is technicalities (black background, imaging, head stage, prat, macro/micro detail, etc.)
Compared to the Yggdrasil, I think I'd prefer a more prominent upper midrange (without fatigue) - and better technicalities.
I also have an Auralic Vega which is perfect for my V281>LCD4 but has too much upper midrange prominence to the point of fatigue. It has certain technicalities that are better than the Yggdrasil (blacker background, cleaner), and certain that are worse (headstage, imaging.)
Months ago I bough a Bricasti M1 SE with firmware 1.39. This DAC was almost perfect. Technicalities were the best I've ever heard, and the tonality was great - but it was just too fatiguing.
I have a chord2qute which I'm currently using while I'm waiting on the upgraded Yggy. The tonality sounds spot on. If you've listened to the original hugo/2qute - that's the tonal balance I'm essentially going for - while upgrading it's technicalities.
My budget is approximately 10k - though I don't need to spend that much. Obvious answer is a DAVE - but there is no where I can demo it in my system, and I don't want to shell out that kind of money without doing so. I did demo a Hugo TT in the system and didn't like it at all - it was way too dark for my tastes - which is why Im concerned the DAVE will be too close to that and farther from the original Hugo.
Another example of something that I feel has a relatively close tonal balance to my ideal is the NAD M51. It's a good DAC, but it's beaten by all other DACs listed that I've tried, in terms of technicalities.
Frustrating thing, is I can't really demo any of these at all (except 1 or 2).
Things I am considering:
Chord Dave
PS Audio DSD (mainly because of the return policy, and the fact that you can change firmwares - which would hopefully allow me to dial in the sound I am happy with). Even new, you can get $1800 off by trading in gear,
Auralic Vega G2 - If it shares the character of the original and is slightly less hyped with better technicalities, might be an option
Denafrips Terminator - People like this with my amp/headphones but think it might be too dark from what I've read
Playback Designs Merlot
Mytek Manhattan II
Renaissance Invictus Mirus
Total Dac D1 Dual
or maybe I am surprisingly happy with the improvements of the Yggy A2
Given my tonal preferences - can anyone recommend a DAC that fits the bill, while having great technicalities?
Thanks for your help!
I am currently using a Yggdrasil (1st addition), and it's currently being upgraded to an Analog 2 by Schiit.
The original Yggdrasil combination is very good, but I think I can do better. I may be going in the wrong direction with the upgrade, for reasons described below, but I figure it's worth a try before I invest in something else.
While many may disagree, my primary criteria is tonality, and secondary criteria is technicalities (black background, imaging, head stage, prat, macro/micro detail, etc.)
Compared to the Yggdrasil, I think I'd prefer a more prominent upper midrange (without fatigue) - and better technicalities.
I also have an Auralic Vega which is perfect for my V281>LCD4 but has too much upper midrange prominence to the point of fatigue. It has certain technicalities that are better than the Yggdrasil (blacker background, cleaner), and certain that are worse (headstage, imaging.)
Months ago I bough a Bricasti M1 SE with firmware 1.39. This DAC was almost perfect. Technicalities were the best I've ever heard, and the tonality was great - but it was just too fatiguing.
I have a chord2qute which I'm currently using while I'm waiting on the upgraded Yggy. The tonality sounds spot on. If you've listened to the original hugo/2qute - that's the tonal balance I'm essentially going for - while upgrading it's technicalities.
My budget is approximately 10k - though I don't need to spend that much. Obvious answer is a DAVE - but there is no where I can demo it in my system, and I don't want to shell out that kind of money without doing so. I did demo a Hugo TT in the system and didn't like it at all - it was way too dark for my tastes - which is why Im concerned the DAVE will be too close to that and farther from the original Hugo.
Another example of something that I feel has a relatively close tonal balance to my ideal is the NAD M51. It's a good DAC, but it's beaten by all other DACs listed that I've tried, in terms of technicalities.
Frustrating thing, is I can't really demo any of these at all (except 1 or 2).
Things I am considering:
Chord Dave
PS Audio DSD (mainly because of the return policy, and the fact that you can change firmwares - which would hopefully allow me to dial in the sound I am happy with). Even new, you can get $1800 off by trading in gear,
Auralic Vega G2 - If it shares the character of the original and is slightly less hyped with better technicalities, might be an option
Denafrips Terminator - People like this with my amp/headphones but think it might be too dark from what I've read
Playback Designs Merlot
Mytek Manhattan II
Renaissance Invictus Mirus
Total Dac D1 Dual
or maybe I am surprisingly happy with the improvements of the Yggy A2
Given my tonal preferences - can anyone recommend a DAC that fits the bill, while having great technicalities?
Thanks for your help!