What kind of music/qualities in music are most important to you? Made you consider these DACs?
I'm kind of considering the same, coming from X26pro (Hypsos&Oor) and I'll either go forAGD DAC as well vs WANDLA or T+A DAC 200.
Looking forward to your impressions.
Take what I am about to share with a grain of salt as I am only one person but happy to share my perspective.
What kind of music/qualities in music are most important to you?
I like a wider soundstage with detail. For example I could hear the breath between notes on Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black," and it sent chills up my spine. Very realistic. In the same vein I felt like she and the band were all around me vs right in front of me. Very 3d. I also like a bit of warmth which I got from the R26 as well as my Active Tube Stage preamp. I also appreciate a DAC that can render all types of music like a champ and the R26 did that for me for sure. In brief, wide soundstage with detail and a bit of warmth.
Made you consider these DACs?
To be honest there was zero concern with the R26 it is a great DAC for the price. Lots of value. The "upgrade itch," got a hold of me. I recently purchased the Hifi Rose RS 130 (streamer only). The goal of the RS130 is to 100% eliminate any outside "noise," by using top tier fiber optic inputs / outputs. There is also an isolated i2s port on the 130 which is a unique feature but is incompatible with the R26 so I would be required to use a DDC which was not what I wanted to do. Lastly I was seeking a bit "more," from my DAC. More what I have no idea but more. LOL, truth time here, don't judge.
So the DAC's I were considering were the: ((i2s compatibility with Hifi Rose RS130 was my only standing requirement))
DenaFrips: Terminator (passed due to cost and I feel that the experience would be similar to that of the R26 at 4 times the cost).
Holo May KTE: I auditioned it and to my shock I did not like it, it sounded too sterile to me, now for the Holo fans I know this is a great DAC but it was not for me.
Ferrum Wandla I have the Oor / Hypsos and love their products) but it is a D/ S and after using a R2R DAC for almost a year I can't go back to D/S
Chord TT2: great dac and with the recent price drop very appealing but no i2s and not fully balanced so I passed based on specs
T+A DAC 200: Simple, I did not like it. Again can't explain why but I really didn't.
DCS Bartok 2.0 (used): Once again I did not like it and I know this is the holy grail of DAC but it was not for me.
Audio-GD: I love that the emphasis is on quality components that focus on power aka noise, audio input / output and a company founded by a engineer who still likes what they do and wants to support the customer base beyond the 1st sale. This brand was unknown to me until a few months ago when I started doing my research. I read this entire thread which was a long journey and so worth it for my education and was the push I needed to commit. The consensus on the sound varies but overall aligns with my taste and the quality you get in the component itself is a real treat. I will let you know my listening impressions once the device arrives and burn it hits at least 500 hours. (short story long, sorry)
So there is my journey. I have had such good luck with boutique brands. For example Khozmo Acoustics and Hattor Audio from Poland. Arek is the owner of both brands and has made a few things for me that should cost 3x what I paid but he keeps prices reasonable because he can. I feel that the same maybe true with Audio-GD, we will see.
Hope this helps,
Richard
