Different R2R DACs


Several months ago, I bought a used Hono Spring Level 2 DAC to see how R2R would compare against my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+. I like the Brooklyn+ a lot, but, given the other components in my system, I'm thinking about building in a bit more warmth (without losing significant detail). I'm not looking for sweetness or holography. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the way the Holo Spring Level 2 smeared the music. I returned it within two weeks. Perhaps the unit I bought was defective (though I bought it from a highly reputable seller of used equipment), but it started me wondering how much of the hype surrounding the newer generation of R2R DACs was just that, hype. However, I keep seeing so many glowing reviews of reasonably priced R2R DACS from Denafrips, Aqua, Lampizator and others. So I'm wondering whether I should give them another try. Unfortunately, where I live the only real (suboptimal) option is to audition by purchasing one DAC at a time. Before I start down that road again, I thought I would ask the collective brain of Audiogon about how much of a difference I might expect, as against the Holo Spring level 2, from a new Denafrips Pontus II or used Terminator II, a used Aqua La Voce or Lampizator, or some other R2R DAC under $5K. I don't require require resolutions greater than 24/192 (beyond which I discern no difference). I do like the option of MQA decoding, but it's not a deal breaker. 

The rest of my system (source components aside), at present, include a Parasound JC2 BP preamp, a pair of VTV Purifi mono amps, and Harbeth C7ES-3 speakers.

audio-satisficer

Showing 2 responses by soix

If I were you I’d look into the Musician Pegasus that offers R2R with both NOS and oversampling options depending on your tastes.  Also there’s the iFi iDSD Pro that seems like another potentially great option...

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-kid-on-the-block-2

I’d buy a new Gustard R26 DAC through Amazon and see if that does it for you on the relative cheap and just return it if it doesn’t bowl you over.  I’d also recommend a used Acoustic Zen MC2 digital cable as it can transform your digital experience unless you already have a very accomplished digital cable.  Last, I recently added a used Denafrips Iris DDC so I could take advantage of my Musician Pegasus i2S input and it was not a small improvement.  FWIW.