[Vvnz100]

I just bought this last one... but Drop will send it in 6 months!

https://drop.com/buy/drop-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced

 

[Vvnz100]

The SMSL SU-8 has been an excellent pairing for me with the 887, so I presume that would hold true with the 789 as well. At $185.00 it's a steal, with RCA and XLR outputs, a remote, excellent measurements, etc..

I read that this one was one the dry side of the DACs... I tried with my Pioneer U-05 (excellent DAC/headphone amp) and it was too bright for my ears... at least with my Audeze.

 

[Celty]

I read that this one was one the dry side of the DACs... I tried with my Pioneer U-05 (excellent DAC/headphone amp) and it was too bright for my ears... at least with my Audeze.

I've got my SU-8 feeding both my 887 and my slightly suped up Loxjie P20. I don't detect any brightness with either, so I'm happy with it. Can't wait for the day I get to try it with the Glenn OTL I have on order

 

[fiiom11pro]

has anyone here tried Hugo2 as dac for Benchmark HPA4?

Which one will give better result, Hugo2, Topping d90 or an r2r Denafrips Ares or RME dac?

 

[521994]

has anyone here tried Hugo2 as dac for Benchmark HPA4?

Which one will give better result, Hugo2, Topping d90 or an r2r Denafrips Ares or RME dac?

my Vote for chord qutest if you are looking for Uber detailed and transparent sound

 

[fiiom11pro]

my Vote for chord qutest if you are looking for Uber detailed and transparent sound

isn't it that chord qutest and chord hugo2 has the same dac chip except the latter don't have the amp section? so yeah, that is one very good consideration. Thanks.

 

[Voxata]

I'll be able to speak for the D90 vs D70 vs Bifrost 2 performance later this evening. I will say that the D70 was faster sounding than the Bifrost 2, but more flat as well.

 

[MacMan31]

I'll be able to speak for the D90 vs D70 vs Bifrost 2 performance later this evening. I will say that the D70 was faster sounding than the Bifrost 2, but more flat as well.

I have a D70 DAC paired with my THX789. The D70 came with a remote and one of the options is that I can adjust the volume on the DAC. If I am going to be adjusting the volume on the D70 then what is the best place to set the volume on the 789?

 

[Voxata]

I'd just max out out and use the analog out on your amp

 

[MacMan31]

I'd just max out out and use the analog out on your amp

So just set the D70 to "DAC mode" which puts the volume at max and then use the volume on the 789? I ask this cause when I'm lounging in my recliner and listening to music my amp is out of reach. I like having the remote to adjust the volume instead of having to sit up and reach over each time.

 

[Voxata]

Aah, well in that case you've got a balacing act on your lap. I'd shoot for gain 2 pot at 30% depending on your headphone.

 

[MacMan31]

Aah, well in that case you've got a balacing act on your lap. I'd shoot for gain 2 pot at 30% depending on your headphone.

Hmm well I just tried that and the volume at 30% on gain two would be too low. The volume on the D70 is at -13dB and it maxes at 0dB so not much headroom. Max volume on gain two I can have the volume on the D70 at around -34dB. Much more headroom to play with. I just don't want to introduce too much "noise".

 

[Voxata]

Oh, I preferred the D70 < Bifrost 2 < D90. The tonality was a bit off IMO on the D70 compared to the other two. Bifrost 2 vs D90 was harder. The B2 is warmer and the D90 is faster with a sharper top end. Each has its strength depending on what you prefer. I stuck with the D90 mainly for the features. Volume control for my monitors via XLR and RCA into the Gilmore Lite MKii.

 

[Celty]

Hmm well I just tried that and the volume at 30% on gain two would be too low. The volume on the D70 is at -13dB and it maxes at 0dB so not much headroom. Max volume on gain two I can have the volume on the D70 at around -34dB. Much more headroom to play with. I just don't want to introduce too much "noise".

With ZMF Auteur and HD6XX, I run my 887 on gain 3 at about 2 O'clock on the volume dial. I then adjust final volume via the remote on my SU-8 DAC, typically anywhere from -18 to -20 ish.

 

[SilverEars]

has anyone here tried Hugo2 as dac for Benchmark HPA4?

Which one will give better result, Hugo2, Topping d90 or an r2r Denafrips Ares or RME dac?

I did, and Yggy sounded better over it, so I'm guessing multibit is the way to go with the amp.

I think the THX thing is just marketing to ride on the hype of THX stuff out there. It still has the Benchmark amp sound.