what is the specific performance of the DAC itself versus competing devices using AKM, ESS, ROHM chipsets
To me, the ROHM chips in the N8ii is clearly superior to both AKM & ESS chips, so it's leading in the "Delta Sigma" camp, but the R2R is simply on another level than that, and IMO superior, especially in holography, naturalness or timbre, Soundstage without being "distant", and evenly presented micro dynamics.
I’m thinking the same thing. I might use the rs8 and just keep my two tube amps
That's what I do. Many issues ( in general) with desktop are all avoided, by using a Dap, but the RS8 can stand on its own merits to take place of desktop source.
For simplicity my desktop setup is actually this DAP into a tube amp. Can't get more simple than that. Also, I don't miss any desktop system I had or heard, especially with a top tier IEM. I would even say that it is the superior setup, because you are now mobile, freed of the chains bounding you down to a desktop, stuck in one room.
My question- is how far from a top of the line desktop system is the RS8 in driving high sensitivity over ear headphones? If it can get 90% of the way there- I may consider dumping my huge desktop system. These daps will never drive low impedance headphones like a proper desktop system. So we are talking LCD-4z, Meze Elite, and several others which are not very power hungry.
IMO, using a Dap overcomes many if not all issues plaguing desktop setups.
The issues with using a desktop source, exist in the audio chain areas both before, and after the desktop dac,
With the computer being central to these issues.
Because Windows (by default) does not reserve enough processing power for Audio, it needs ASIO and WASAPI Exclusive Mode, which is better because Windows won't corrupt it like it sometimes does in ASIO, despite any efforts to prevent it.
So Windows may occasionally switch detected dac as Default Sound & communications Device, in which case windows will resample PCM for sure, insidiously resampling the audio stream, having damaged sound of Windows resampling algorithms.
Even if you reassign the "Default Devices" to some other unused sound device, (unused/spare dac interface), Windows may occasionally switch back without warning to the dac you are trying to protect.
Whatever the OS Generation of Windows, there is always disk swaps during process, and windows services/applications, and background processes, which is how windows natively works. Even if you try fix into the OS with no Swap and big Ram, it somewhere needs it !
There is embeded smps and noise, complex path of the signal, pipes process latency, CPU energy saving controls, USB power noise and associated front input add on devices. SPDIF/Optical transmission/jitter issues. Add to that, the chosen Music Player & steaming player issues and its demands on the OS.
In contrast, the Dap by nature has all music processing integrated into one unit. It was just a matter of time before we had units worthy of desktop replacement, which IMO, the RS8 is. With it, you are now at a summit place where you can focus on the music and not the gear.
I find the combo of the RS8 with FIR Neon4 (using red modules) to be my end-game solution. I am fortunate to have already compared many other "TOTL" IEMs, to be settled on this pairing.
I had a problem with my DX300 Max Ti, IBasso had sent me a return label during the day and in 5 days my DAP had been exchanged
Your lucky, I had sent in my dx300maxTi for repair two times, and both times had to wait for them to repair and ship back, which was about 2weeks turn around time. That was a great Dap then, but now the RS8 is the very special one.
