chrisdrop
1000+ Head-Fier
I'd like to try an R2R DAC. Why? Reading the many threads and commentary has made me think I would enjoy one. I'd be getting it in the UK so references are from that perspective. My ideal price point is <= £2000 (~$2500). After forum scrounging, it looks like the main options in the space are:
My current amp is single ended. Any probable future amps would also be single ended valve amps.
This DAC would be replacing an RME ADI II, which is feature-filled and a quality piece of kit IMO. I like the convenience that it has an integrated headphone amp for occasional use. That said, I'd rather put the cost/ value into a DAC, so the integrated amp is unwanted; cost for something not needed, more DAC instead!
Anyhow - I have poured over the threads above. My current read of the communal opinion is something like:
Clearly I may have read that wrong. Statements like that are always hard, but every time we make a purchase like this, we try to totally order products. The Pontus seems much less used than other options. Either people seem to have an Ares or a Terminator in Denafrips land. For Audio GD - the R8 seems like another option, but it is not better (or intended to be) than the R7. Several other headfiers I have noticed have the Kitsune edition Spring DAC in their signatures. If I were to guess based on signatures, I'd say Spring DAC is popular when people vote with their money.
What DACs am I missing from consideration? There are various comparisons, but on 3rd party websites. When looking at people's signatures, plenty of people have DACs from these 3 vendors, so any comparisons of the vendors themselves is welcome.
Another very good option might be to do something more expensive, later
I think here in London, the local Denafrips vendor is perhaps somewhere I can demo one of these things... I'd love to listen before I buy! Yggdrasil new is 2.3k GBP but I would pref a non Schiit anyhow. I'd like to try one of the smaller vendors.
Tx all!
- Audio GD
- R7 seems like the best option in price-range - head-fi thread https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-audio-gd-r7-r2r-7-r8-flagship-resistor-ladder-dacs.853902
- Available here: https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/dac-...hdmi-amanero-32bit-384khz-dsd512-p-13371.html
- Denafrips
- PONTUS - head-fi thread https://www.head-fi.org/threads/denafrips-pontus-r2r-ladder-dac-close-up-view.853050
- UK dealer here: https://www.willowtreeaudio.co.uk/denafrips
- Holo Audio
- Looks like: Holo Audio - Spring II DAC Level 2 is best at price range - head-fi thread https://www.head-fi.org/threads/holo-audio-spring-r2r-dac.810065/
- Available here https://www.magnahifi.com/en/webshop/product/holo-audio-spring2-l2
My current amp is single ended. Any probable future amps would also be single ended valve amps.
This DAC would be replacing an RME ADI II, which is feature-filled and a quality piece of kit IMO. I like the convenience that it has an integrated headphone amp for occasional use. That said, I'd rather put the cost/ value into a DAC, so the integrated amp is unwanted; cost for something not needed, more DAC instead!
Anyhow - I have poured over the threads above. My current read of the communal opinion is something like:
R7 > Pontus > Spring DAC
Clearly I may have read that wrong. Statements like that are always hard, but every time we make a purchase like this, we try to totally order products. The Pontus seems much less used than other options. Either people seem to have an Ares or a Terminator in Denafrips land. For Audio GD - the R8 seems like another option, but it is not better (or intended to be) than the R7. Several other headfiers I have noticed have the Kitsune edition Spring DAC in their signatures. If I were to guess based on signatures, I'd say Spring DAC is popular when people vote with their money.
What DACs am I missing from consideration? There are various comparisons, but on 3rd party websites. When looking at people's signatures, plenty of people have DACs from these 3 vendors, so any comparisons of the vendors themselves is welcome.
Another very good option might be to do something more expensive, later
I think here in London, the local Denafrips vendor is perhaps somewhere I can demo one of these things... I'd love to listen before I buy! Yggdrasil new is 2.3k GBP but I would pref a non Schiit anyhow. I'd like to try one of the smaller vendors.
Tx all!
