[Torq]

@Torq How does it compare to Hugo 2?

For my preferences ...

Hugo 2 > RDAC > Mojo > Hugo​

I doubt this is in anyway surprising.

 

[maxh22]

For my preferences ...

Hugo 2 > RDAC > Mojo > Hugo​

I doubt this is in anyway surprising.

Your preference definitely makes sense. How close does the RDAC get to Hugo 2's resolution? Would you say its closer to Mojo in that respect?

 

[musicheaven]

Interesting, this is going to be a busy Massdrop event.

 

[PopZeus]

Aw crud. I'm just gonna end up getting this anyways. I really want an R-2R DAC for the living room, where I want to do most of my listening at home, tbh. And I don't want to spend a lot of money for obvious reasons. After reading some early reviews, this will fit the bill nicely. I was crowing about HDMI earlier in the thread but I'll be more than fine with coax.

 

[XERO1]

Interesting, this is going to be a busy Massdrop event.

Yep. I just hope the R-DAC doesn’t become a one-and-done release like the LCX. It should be continuously available like the CTH has been.

 

[Zachik]

Good point, it does make comparisons more tricky. You can always attenuate a bit using a quality software solution (Roon etc), though that still doesn't help as far as knowing exactly when you've hit 2V.

Has to be a hardware solution for 2.5V -> 2.0V for me, since I am driving 2 DACs from the same Gustard U12 (for those unfamiliar, it is very similar to Schiit Eitr). Cannot control them individually.
So, @project86 - I agree with you that the comparison is very tricky. My brain keeps telling me: this RDAC is better than the Amethyst. That may be true, but to "prove" it - I would need to have both DACs output at same voltage level...
Having said that, if I am not directly A/B those 2 DACs - they both sound great!
At this point, for anyone who's looking for a sub-$1000 DAC, I would say BUY this little guy. Totally worth it
A while back when I bought my Amethyst, I have A/B it with Gumby, and the difference was almost inaudible (in favor of Amethyst, IMHO). So, I would venture and say the RDAC is on same level (or slightly better than) Gumby, granted it is only SE and have some connectivity compromises.

 

[mtmercer]

Has to be a hardware solution for 2.5V -> 2.0V for me, since I am driving 2 DACs from the same Gustard U12 (for those unfamiliar, it is very similar to Schiit Eitr). Cannot control them individually.
So, @project86 - I agree with you that the comparison is very tricky. My brain keeps telling me: this RDAC is better than the Amethyst. That may be true, but to "prove" it - I would need to have both DACs output at same voltage level...
Having said that, if I am not directly A/B those 2 DACs - they both sound great!
At this point, for anyone who's looking for a sub-$1000 DAC, I would say BUY this little guy. Totally worth it
A while back when I bought my Amethyst, I have A/B it with Gumby, and the difference was almost inaudible (in favor of Amethyst, IMHO). So, I would venture and say the RDAC is on same level (or slightly better than) Gumby, granted it is only SE and have some connectivity compromises.

You could use a pre-amp such as the Schiit Saga in the non-tube mode or a 2nd amp with pre-amp function to match the levels between the 2 DACs.

 

[Zachik]

You could use a pre-amp such as the Schiit Saga in the non-tube mode or a 2nd amp with pre-amp function to match the levels between the 2 DACs.

Saga is probably an overkill, but maybe Schiit SYS would work! Thanks.

 

[elira]

Seems like the modules are an unauthorized copy of someone else's design from 2016, https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-airist-audio-r-2r-dac/talk/2098625

 

[Baten]

Seems like the modules are an unauthorized copy of someone else's design from 2016, https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-airist-audio-r-2r-dac/talk/2098625

God damn it massdrop....

 

[bunkbail]

Subbed. Gonna grab some popcorn.

 

[D2Girls]

Giant killer dac?

 

[Raphael DeLaGhetto]

I'm probably going to buy this to pair with my CTH & if it ever drops again the LCX for my endgame source setup, but one thing that worries me is that it's single ended. Given the LCX's balanced out, would a single ended DAC hinder it?

 

[Zachik]

Giant killer dac?

From initial tests and comparisons, by me and a couple others in the thread - possibly, yes!

 

[D2Girls]

I'm tempted to get one to test vs my a2 Yggy. This is $2k less and I wonder if the Yggy sounds $2k better. I've never approached my audio experience with a value to cost mindset but maybe I should start.