Which DAC makers let you do in home trial?
Check out the Denafrips Ares II R2R DAC. It is easily one of the best R2R DAC within your budget. You may be reluctant to order this from Singapore but chances of you not liking this DAC are slim to none. You can count on Outstanding customer as long as you own this DAC. https://www.vinshineaudio.com/product-page/denafrips-ares-r2r-dac |
Here is another recommendation...Made in USA with 14 days home trial, http://borderpatrol.net/DAC.htm |
This is what I was talking about when I said you need to pay close attention to proper implementation and filtering in looking at R2R DACs. R2R DACs that measure and perform are expensive. The BorderPatrol Digital to Analogue Converter SE's measured performance is dominated by its use of the underperforming TDA1543 DAC chip. Google indicates that the current price of this chip is between $4 and $6, depending on the quantity purchased; I would have expected a D/A processor costing $1850 to have used a better resistor-ladder chip. However, it is fair to note that Philips's much-better-performing TDA1541 DAC, long discontinued, currently costs around $140 each for the basic version, and up to $299 for the premium S1 Crown version—prices too high for that chip to be used in BorderPatrol's DAC SE.—John Atkinson https://www.stereophile.com/content/borderpatrol-digital-analogue-converter-se-measurements |
When evaluating DACs one of the most important measurements are what comes out of the analog with the lowest noise and distortion how that is done by using either R2R technology or Delta Sigma isn't that important if the noise floor is below human hearing. There are R2R DACs that do this very well as well as Delta Sigma. |
