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Are all R2R dacs slow and soft?

I've tried a few.
Border Patrol, Sonnet, MHDT, Mojo, and a few others I can't recall. 
They all seem to have a slow, soft rolled off sound that lacked detail. The Mojo being the exception, but was still on the softer side. 

I'm now interested hearing the LTA Aero and the May Audio Spring. 
If anyone is familiar with these 2, is it more of the same, or do either one of these stand out from the rest of the crowd?

The reason I'm looking around is I have a PS Audio DirectStream MK2 with the Airlens, and it's very nice and super detailed, but on some recordings, it can be pretty unforgiving and bright. I'm looking to take the edge of without the sound turning soft and mushy, and lacking detail. 

traudio
Post removed 
traudio OP
184 posts
 

What Ethernet cable are you using on SGC server and on airlens?

What power cord on DAC, what interconnects from DAC to preamp?

Just stock cable that runs from upstairs thru the wall.

PC on the DAC is Audience power chord SE-ii

Ic Cardas Clear Refection XLR.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,971 posts
 

I agree with DAC recommendations above. But before you buy a new DAC, you can see if improving your network addresses some of your concerns.  
The long basic Ethernet cable that runs thru walls could be picking up EMI and RFI. When it gets to streamer it just propagates from there to DAC.
This will translate into smeared and harsh sound.
You can a quick test that will be relatively cheap and potentially cost you nothing. Pick up a trendnet 8 port 1G unmanaged switch and a 1m long LinkUp CAT8 ethernet cable and an iFi LAN iSilencer.
Connect your current in wall Ethernet cable to trendnet switch, connect the iFo LAN filter into AirLens and run a Linkup 1m cable from switch into iFi/AirLens.

This should clean up and improve the network feed into AirLens and in turn improve the sound. If it doesn’t, return it all back to amazon. 
But I think you will hear the difference with your components and your speakers. 
 

Switch

Cable

LAN Filter

big_greg
6,821 posts
 

My Rockna Wavedream Signature does the things you're after. I've owned DACS from MHDT LABS, Aqua, and TEAC. The Rockna would literally startle me sometimes when I first got it due to its drive, dynamics, and detail. It is never bright, unless something else in the system is. As always, system synergy and budget come into play. 

12many
356 posts
 

Some.  I just got a dac and when researching, some were eliminated because they were soft, and the measurements seemed to show it.  Not all R2R dacs are that way.  Do searching for brightness - sometimes reducing toe in helps reduce treble energy.  The DAC you have was on my list and based on my reading, I did not consider it bright.  I did not get it, though. 

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