Recommendations for Step Ladder

[gordec]

Anyone has a good recommendations for a good first ladder DAC to try? I’m thinking about spending $700-$1000 and probably will get a used one. I’m looking at the Denafrips Ares, AudioGD, etc. It’s going to be feeding McIntosh MHA100. Headphones are HE1000 v2 and HD800s. Thanks.

 

[kvik]

Here's a few more in your price range..

Mhdt Labs (AD1862N-J, TDA1541A, TDA1545A, PCM56P-J, PCM1704), BorderPatrol (TDA1543)
Schiit Gungnir MB (AD5781BRUZ)
Soekris DAC1421 (R2R)

And here's a fairly complete list of available multibit/R2R DACs currently

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

Holo Audio Cyan is also a good option

 

[gordec]

Holo Audio Cyan is also a good option

Yeah. I was looking at that. I have been on top of the classifieds. If a Denafrips or Holo shows up, I'll probably jump on it. The McIntosh with its integrated already sounds quite good. I'm not sure how much better can a $2000 DAC get. Part of me just want to find out.

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

Yeah. I was looking at that. I have been on top of the classifieds. If a Denafrips or Holo shows up, I'll probably jump on it. The McIntosh with its integrated already sounds quite good. I'm not sure how much better can a $2000 DAC get. Part of me just want to find out.

Holo Audio Cyan is around $1000 mark new. But if you're looking for Spring DAC, you might even get at around $1800 used for level 3. The Spring DAC has awesome micro detail and very analog sounding.

 

[gordec]

Holo Audio Cyan is around $1000 mark new. But if you're looking for Spring DAC, you might even get at around $1800 used for level 3. The Spring DAC has awesome micro detail and very analog sounding.

Have you heard of both Cyan and Spring? How much more does Spring add? Thx

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

Have you heard of both Cyan and Spring? How much more does Spring add? Thx

I haven't heard the Cyan yet but I am actually interested in seeing what it'll bring to the table. I doubt it'll be better than Spring L3 as it is aimed to provide more versatility to the Holo series as DAC/Amp. Although, it possibly sounds close to L1.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new...g-impressions-and-pcm-dsd-poll.861507/page-12

There's a head-fier who have the L1 and Cyan. I think he'll post some impressions later on.