DAC comparison

@lemonhaze 

Guys who have got over the must play DSD, must unfold MQA, must have USB input, must etc. and have heard redbook played via a dedicated unit are coming round to appreciate just how much quality performance resides in the humble  redbook 

Amen brother and well stated.

Charles

I have a SMSL-SD9 as a music streamer, and unfolding MQA feeding a Musician Pegasus DAC. The Pegasus sounds very analog, and doesn’t give the listening fatigue of the delta-sigma DAC’s I’ve owned previously (Topping D90 MQA). The R2R sound is very lifelike to me, and many others.

Audio Note and ANK Kits make very fine sounding DACs using the Philips TDA 1543 chip from the early 90s.

@charles1dad, thanks.

@vinylvalet, yes, Audio Note, SW1X, Merason, Abbas and a small handful of others are eschewing the fashionable 'does everything' DAC for one that prioritises power supply and the analogue stage and by omitting superfluous features shorter signal paths are possible. A non-resonant chassis and attention paid to EMI/RFI also contribute to the resultant sound.

Interesting timing for me as I upgraded my Gungnir a few weeks ago to the original Yggdrasil.  I have all ARC gear otherwise and then a few weeks later a matching silver DAC 8 pops up for sale.  I couldn't resist and got it for the aesthetics.  I felt there was an improvement but admit by subjectiveness was likely driving by loving the look next to my Phono 2SE It definitely was not worse.  There are so many different combinations of the Yggdrasil as well that makes it a tough as well.  I only use coax FWIW.  They both seem to be solid DACs with good reputations so you could sell whichever one you like less.