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LTA Aero vs Merason Reuss vs Mojo Audio Mystique Y?

Hi everyone, I just recently made an account after reading through @mitch2 ’s incredible Six Dac Comparison thread. I’m considering DAC upgrades from my Merason Frerot with Pow1 power supply, and the three finalists so far are the LTA Aero (I’d probably use the Ray Reserve tubes), Merason Reuss, and Mojo Audio Mystique Y (with either AM or NC chokes). Has anyone compared any of these three? I’m looking to retain the natural, "analog" liquidity of the Merason while improving upon microdynamics, depth, and imaging specificity.

Mitch had both the Aero and Mystique Y in-house, albeit not at the same time, so that gives me some sense of how they might compare using Aero’s stock tubes. Ideally I’d prefer to stay away from tubes but the Aero is pretty compelling. The only downside with the Mojo is that it’s optimized for its single-ended outputs and I’d want to use the balanced outputs for the best sonic performance from my amp. The Reuss would be a natural upgrade from my Frerot, but I’m not sure exactly how it compares to the more widely reviewed DAC1 MkII, and I also feel the AD1865 chip used in the LTA and Mojo is more well-regarded than the Burr Brown in the Merasons.

I’d appreciate any thoughts about how these three might compare for what I’m after. I’m very drawn to modern implementations of older DAC chips (specifically the AD1865, AD1862, Burr Brown PCM63, and other very well-regarded chips), so please let me know if there are any other DACs around the same price that I should be considering. This is for my desktop headphone system, so form factor is also important and the three DACs in the title are about as large as I’d like to go.

davebull
nogaps
161 posts
 

@danmar123 

My DS2 pre was purchased used and it came with a pair of Linlai E-6SN7 and a pair of Psvane CV181 TMKII in it,  Sounds wonderful.  I haven't done any tube rolling in it yet as my system has been in multiple component upgrade mode for a while and there's no point in swapping tubes until it settles down into one, longer-term system.

I also have the DS Kootenay amp..though haven't installed it yet as a second system is also "in-progress".  I have a McCormack DNA-1 out for a rebuild now and a LFT-8c bass unit upgrade coming.  I hope?? to try the DS2/Kootenay combo on my LFT-8c speakers..I see reports of people running them with moderate-powered tubes..we'll see.  If not, then the SMc Ultra amp, when I get it back, will surely do the job. 

At some point..I'll give the Ray Reserve 6SN7s try. I am leaning, in general, toward new production tubes though.  There's finally some decent options coming to market. NOS is such a rabbit hole and with some major sellers retiring it'll get more interesting yet..and more expensive...been there.

danmar123's avatar
danmar123
625 posts
 

@nogaps Loose the Psvane tubes, mine also came with them from Don. I purchased his personal unit (not that it matters). I had to get tube socket extenders to install the Globals on my unit. When you get the Rays try the 2 in the left sockets first & let them settle in there. Then move them to the right & see what sounds better in your setup. Everything matters. You sound like you have a GOOD plan. Sometimes you don't need for any changes to settle in. Either it works for you , or it don't. I've changed power cords & immediately I noticed the difference. 

There's a lot of fan fair with the Ray tubes, but I'm not interested myself. Welcome to the hole of the Rabbit! Happy listening.

stievus's avatar
stievus
120 posts
 

I upgraded from Merason Frerot with power supply to Metronome Le Dac2. I loved the Frerot and was informed by several dealers that to hear substantial differences serious money should be invested. The Frerot is that good. So I ended with Metronome Le Dac2, which has a similar analogue sound characteric, but at a much higher level.

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