About the Matrix Audio ND-1 DAC

How are you feeding your Pontus II? If USB, consider putting an IRIS DDC in front, made a worthwhile addition to my system. If SPIDIF or other input, think about the Hermes, I believe it has other inputs and OXCO clock. 

@curiousjim the Aero dac that I had in my system had Ray Reserve tubes.  Comments made in the 6 dac thread were based on whatever stock tubes shipped with the dac.  I have a LTA MicroZOTL preamp and the stock tubes that shipped with it weren't very good.  I suppose it's hard for LTA to keep a good inventory of NOS tubes.

I have put my system together using components that are neutral and detailed.  I used to have issues with sibilance that drove me nuts.  I think my preamp was the biggest issue and ironically, it was a well regarded tube preamp that I thought would add warmth (I find that warmth and sibilance are not mutually exclusive). 

Anyway, I thought the Aero dac sounded excellent. The ability to tube roll adds some flexibility. I think you would like it. I'm not good at describing the sound.  It just sounds real.  Detailed with good separation of instruments.  Big soundstage. 

The Gustard R-30 dac has three filter settings.  Two of the settings would tame the highs a bit.  I wonder if the reviewer tried them?

@curiousjim 

Just to be clear, I ordered the Aero with the Ray Reserve tubes. Of course, I have no idea how it might sound in your system. 

I don’t recall the restock fee charged by LTA. It might be cheaper to try this used one from TMR:

https://tmraudio.com/products/linear-tube-audio-aero-tube-dac

If I were you, I'd compare the costs of LTA vs. TMR. 

@sls883 

I just realized, I have dozens of 6DJ8, 6922 and a half a dozen 7308’s as well as dozens of 12AU7’s and 12AT7’s , but I don’t have any 6SN7’s or 12SN7’s.  What a bad time for Brent Jesse to close.

My preamp uses 6SN7 or 12SN7 tubes.  I have tried a number of NOS tubes.  My favorite is the Linlai E-6SN7.  I bought mine on Amazon.  Quite a bit cheaper than Ray Reserve. 

https://www.amazon.com/LINLAI-Matching-Vacuum-Audio-Amplifier/dp/B0D5HHJSKM