$2000 Dac

+1 @soix

Thought this one looked interesting, or a used Denafrips Pontus 15th may pop up under $2k soon.  Best of luck.

https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2025/11/09/the-garlubidor-divinty-r2r-dac-is-a-better-denafrips/

@soix is referring to the Garlubidor DIVINTY R2R Dac. This is the one I’m saving up for to buy, and per the Steve Huff review and others it outperforms the Denafrips Pontus 15th with software/hardware upgrades and has more extensive connectivity.

I just bought a Holo Cyan 2 used from a friend and am quite impressed with it.  My prior reference was a SMSL SU-9n chip dac, so that was a 4-5x step up in terms of original price.  Whenever they appear for sale on USAM, TMR, etc, they go fast.  The rest of my system is a VTL preamp, an HK Sig 1.5 (Madrigal factory) and Magnepan 3.6R.  Audiophile classic recordings like Jazz at the Pawnshop are incredibly holo-graphic.  

The R26 II appears to make some meaningful improvements over the Mk I, which was rather disappointing—mediocre at best. I’ve heard the Mk II sounds more detailed and dynamic. At this price point, there are several competing options in a similar range. More homework is needed.  Good luck.

@yyzsantabarbara,

One of the reasons I read so many posts here on agon is to discover new items of discovery and I want to thank you for introducing me to the imersiv D-1 Dac. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to purchase one new but used? One day, maybe? This is the only dac I’ve ever read about that explicitly says it should be used without a preamp!?

I also like the way you’ve taken your existing gear and sold it on the used market to upgrade to other pieces of gear. In the last 6 months I’ve also sold some of my gear to buy new, a Power Sound Audio EV1813T Subwoofer, Laiv Harmony µDac and a Vinshine Audio Taihang Power Enhancer all without having to go in my own pocket for any funds. ( As I keep telling myself that. ;-)

And the Laiv Harmony µDac will be put up for sale to purchase the Garlubidor DIVINTY R2R Dac that comes in at $1850 US, well under the $2000 budget the OP has suggested.

My plan is to also purchase (3) StackAudio AUVA equipment isolator pads. And yes they do come in a (3) pack which reduces costs from having to purchase a (4) pack all the time and upgrade the stock power cord to a 聖HIJIRI Nagomi power cord I already have. Fun hobby huh?

Divinity is roughly on par with Holo Cyan 2, with slightly better bass. Both are NOS, but Divinity is $500 more expensive. Reviewers found micro Dac sounds slightly better in OS mode than Cyan 2.  So you’re probably making a sideways move rather than an upgrade.