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Experience with good d/s DACs “comparable@ to R2R?

Sorry for opening a can here… but am in the market for a dac upgrade. Something under 1k with a capable output. I’d been hunting r2r for some time, but also learning that d/s with good topology and output stage can supply those extra fuzzies, paired properly.
I’m currently running an Airist Audio r2r, sounds really nice. But also crave more speed, impact, revelation and clarity. Also gets a bit congested at complex passages. Not to mention more inputs (including I2s as considering a Pi2AES) to future proof and supply output options. R2R is wonderful, but gets pricey. I know there’s dDenafrips Ares ii, Musician Audio, Audio GD, Bifrost 2, etc. but have now been eying Topping d70s for it dual akm’s and juicy XLR output voltage. It’s claimed to sound “organic” while accurate, get out of the way kind of presentation.
Anyway, curious about POV relative to experiences in this price range. Greatly value anyone’s perspective and experience on these or any other dacs 🙏🏼

system:

Allo Digione transport (streaming and usb storage)
Airist r2r dac
Creek Evolution 50a
Quad S2’s



riccitone

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
riccitone OP
@georgehifi I’ve been looking at Soekris dacs as well! Some typical r2r controversy on those via forums, but those that actually own them say resoundingly positives things.

"but those that actually own them say resoundingly positives things."

Yeah, I don’t think his more expensive opposition like that he’s doing, which is very good things with discrete R2R and keeping the price well below theirs, so the BS starts to be put out there to keep him under control.
I’ve talked to him, and found him very humble, honest and technically right up there if you read his answers to some of the stuff asked of him on DiyAudio forums. If I didn’t have my Discrete R2R MSB I would consider his in an instant.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Experience with good d/s DACs “comparable@ to R2R?

but am in the market for a dac upgrade. Something under 1k with a capable output.

Most of the better "Discrete R2R" dacs are a bit more than that.
Soekris has one at $1299
http://www.soekris.dk/dac2541.html
https://soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soekris-audiophile-line/dac-2541
or the cheaper model at $899
http://www.soekris.dk/dac1421.html
https://soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soekris-audiophile-line/dac-1421

Cheers George
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