If you like the Jolida, I would seriously consider either the Doge6 CD player, available directly from the Doge site, or the Doge7 DAC. The Doge6, IMO, is exactly what you describe, minus the jitter problems that can arise from connection to an outboard DAC. I have not heard the 7, but from what I can see from the site, it keeps the basic Jolida/Doge values that you describe. Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to look. You can return it, although shipping would be pricey. I would also not rule out looking for DACs for sale in your area and asking them for a home demo at a price. I once offered someone 100 to bring their Esoteric monster over for a demo and we agreed on a price if I liked it. I didn't, so the demo offer was well worth it to me.
Still looking for a DAC I can demo at home. . .
I'm looking to spend up to $4500 on a DAC. Must be able to demo at home! Yes-- I know-- this eliminates many possibilities but I don't actually enjoy buying/selling gear, so buying gear on A'gon to try, and then having to re-sell it, holds 0 appeal for me. I think of myself as a music lover rather than an audiophile. Perhaps, for those of you reading this, other, less flattering adjectives come to mind ;o), but nevertheless, the search goes on. I have: Wells Majestic integrated, Silverline SR 17.5 Monitors. I plan to keep my Jolida JD100 cdp as a transport. Emotional involvement, "musicality" (lots of arguments about what that means, I know) are more important to me than hyper detail. Borrowing John Darko's analogy, I'm more interested in "tasting cake" than knowing whether the butter is organic, the eggs are laid by Rhode Island Red hens or Sea Turtles, the flour is winter or spring wheat, etc. Sea Turtles? OK- I'm starting to experience the particular flavor of insanity that comes from spending far too much time reading threads and reviews. I've held off trying Schiit Yggy due to conflicting reports re: whether its resolution is too "digital/analytical" sounding. PS Audio Directstream JR. has its fans and critics. Anything else in this price range I can demo at home ???
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Stu - Best way to resolve concerns about the Yggsdrasil being too "analytical" would be to take advantage of Schiit’s 15 day money back guarantee (less restocking) and try it in-home (as you propose). Run signal through it 24/10 (I use Track 9 of the XLO burn in CD) and you will get a good idea of its sonic signature. I have a Gungnir that was sent in for the MB upgrade quite a while after initial purchase . The MB mod improved resolution and clarity, as judged by the intelligibility of vocals, and expanded the sound stage’s depth and width. It did not contribute any harshness. Overall, the MB mod greatly enhanced the "musicality" (I know it when I hear it...but think greater heft and richer texture) of what beforehand had been a nice but somewhat dry and much less involving piece. As I understand it, the Ygg is designed from the ground up with multi-bit. Only your ears can decide if it’s a good fit in your system and with your listening preferences. Good luck in your search. |
Benchmark DAC 3 - no taste - a neutral DAC that may sound a little more forward in the mids than most "smile" EQd DACs - as resolving as it gets but sounds like vinyl (absolutely no harshness) - "SOTA performance" Stereophile Class A+ - 30 day return/trial. https://www.stereophile.com/content/benchmark-dac3-hgc-da-preamplifier-headphone-amplifier No brainer to try this and return it if doesnt work for your setup. As far as emotional, it will extact every ounce of passion and PRAT from your music without sounding clinical or like the music has been dissected. It sounds warm or euphonic if the track was recorded that way but won’t add extra warmth. |
@randy-11: I didn't realize Benchmark had a home trial. Thanks! @chayro: The Wells replaced a tubed Jolida integrated-- no contest! At this point, I'm not interested in more Jolida gear, but thanks. @ghosthouse: Just wondering why you chose Gumby over Yggy. Was this strictly a financial consideration or based on tonal considerations? @shadorne: OK-- got it-- another vote for Benchmark. Thanks for the link! Update: yesterday, having decided it was time to stop reading and start listening, I ordered a COS D2 to try out (30 day trial). The reviews of its big brother D1 are impressive, and I like to give less-than-mainstream companies a chance. Who knows; I may keep it. Or I may go on to try others. At least I have more possibilities now than I did when I started the thread. Thanks, guys! |
@stuartk I wasn't doing any serious DAC shopping when I got the Gungnir. Had been using a Musical Fidelity V-DAC w/V-Link 192. Came across a B-stock Gungnir on Audio Advisor back when they carried Schiit gear. The price was right and given what I'd read (e.g., Computer Audiophile) I decided to buy it. I've not heard Yggdrasil though elsewhere on A'gon I did read someone favored Gungnir vs Ygg sonics...but that is just "hearsay" on my part. Personally, since getting the MB upgrade and replacing the V-Link w/Eitr, I've no interest in pursuing further D to A upgrades, though I won't say "never". Again, good luck in your auditioning. |
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