John, your comments on the relative influence of rooms, speakers, amps and then finally between DACs really hit the nail on the head for me, based on my own much more limited experience, thanks for that
Dear John, For more than 30 years I have been a lover of good sounding music. I have built up a nice set based on class A amplifiers over the years. I upgraded the 16 bit old CD drives and the Sonos connect by starting with external DACs. Your videos have helped tremendously in that quest. In addition to a Cambridge DacMagic 100 and a Topping E30, I now have a Cambridge 851D (unfortunately no longer made) and a Sonos Port. The latter streamer is not the most expensive thing you can buy, but it plays with Apple music without any problems. Still, in my opinion, everything sounds significantly better than many other devices because the basics in amplifiers and speakers (Focal) are in order. I've tried Tidal and Qobuz, but they don't add anything for me, and indeed, usually CD quality is fine. Keep it up!
I've tried a ton of Dacs from Pegasus to smsl 400. Geshelli Labs has impressed me the most and is my go-to. The J2 is fantastic, and now they have newer models coming out that should be a step above. That and the owners are amazing people
I have had the Merason Frerot DAC for a while, I auditioned several other DACs including the Ares II but I fell for the simplicity and sound signature of the Frerot. I doubt I will ever change it out. Would be nice to see you review it!
@@rockyholliday7311 I think his tone is appropriate to the message here. People way, way overstate the differences between DACs and the internet seems awash with highly opinionated ‘whatabouters’.
I have the Gustard R26 DAC. It blends the filament bulby-warm sound of an R2R DAC, and the clearness of a chip DAC, but without the associated harshness and glare. A bit of both that is, like a good red wine cuvee. Expresses itself well with all music genres…
Yes, have spend a lot of time with the Tambaqui at my vacation job last year (high end store) and it is indeed a piece of absolute sonic art. Even compared to much more expensive devices (like the Linn Klimax DSM). ❤
Like you said, sound is subjective and everyone is chasing a particular sound to their ears. That being said, I appreciate your perspective and enjoy your videos
Excellent summary. And my own preferences, in ascending order of preference (and based on personal experience): 1. Arcam AVR20 (ESS9026Pro). For a built-in DAC in an AV receiver, this is well designed and provides excellent staging, clarity and detail 2. Gustard A26. Definitely a step up, extended bass, presence and spatial cues. In my case, unreliable and poorly supported by Gustard 3. Teac UD-701n. If you can find one, this has a fantastic build and sound quality for the price. Lots of options, and needs a deal of 'running in' to give its best. No support from Teac however (in the UK at least). Probably the best bangs-per-buck of all of the discrete DACs in this list. 4. Chord Dave. A big jump in price, but fantastic level of detail and imaging. To my mind, lacks the ultimate presence and musicality of… 5. Dcs Bartok (pre-Apex version). With the right system, provides just a stunning level of openness, control, imaging, staging, detail and just plain listenability. Only (for my tastes) trumped by… 6. Yep, the Mola Mola Tambaqui. I can't really add much to what's already been written about this DAC, but just wow, and for all types of music. Expensive yes, but I'd never have believed that a DAC could make so much difference to the enjoyment of music. Which surely is what it's all about?
Recently upgraded headphones and now I find it much easier to identify the best sounding cables or DAC. Then when I play through the speakers, it sounds great. It ensures that I'm not choosing a DAC, cables and speakers to compensate for the room for example.
A few years ago I gave my listening room a full treatment using G.I.K panels and bass traps. Best decision I ever made in regards to sound improvement and far better than any component change.
Great video. I just bought the Eversolo DMP-A6 (upgraded from the FiiO R7 in my home office) and I'm loving it so far. Onto the top 6 In no specific order: Topping D10 Balanced (I used this with my headphone amp when I started getting into separates for headphone use) PS Audio DirectStream (out dated now with the MK II out) Auralic Vega (gen 1) was to me, better than the PS Audio DS Chord Qutest (I got this used for $1200 AUD) Amazing little DAC. I've since added the M Scaler and WOW Denafrips Terminator Plus WOW I was blown away with this (I got this on loan for a week) Chord Dave with M Scaler and upgraded PSU. For me, this is my end game DAC (until a Dave 2 comes out) I was lucky enough to borrow one from a friend who was looking at selling it. I had it 2hrs and said I'll buy it (with the stand) for a GREAT price. I've owned 17 DACs and these are my 6 favourites
I’m using the Lyngdorf 3400 as a streamer-dac only in my system. The RP takes this DAC to a level that event the very best(most expensive) can only dream off.
It's always great to see other people's choices of hifi equipment and this video was no exception. My DAC choices would be the Chord Cutest, Chord TT 2, Chord DAVE, DCS Bartok, DCS Rossini apex, DCS Vivaldi apex. My end game DAC will be the Chord TT 2, with the upscaler. Perfectly sufficient for my system and sounds incredible for the money.
I find it kinda amusing that four of your favorites are in daily (almost) use in my listening room! Those would be the Topping D10, Chord Mojo, Chord Hugo2 and the Denafrips Ares II. However, i have chosen the Auralic Vega G2.1 as my favorite DAC, which really benefits from it's streaming interface (like the Tambaqui). I do have another favorite though, in the more affordable spectrum, and thats the Audiobyte Black Dragon. A terrific sounding DAC with volume control and a surprisingly good headphone socket. Really intriguing desing also with filtering done through FPGA programming and only simple DAC duties by a pair of AKM chips!
John, I love the tone of this video! It's straightforward, no-nonsense opinion and information. Leave all of the nonsense at the door and get on with sharing your hi-fi priorities and choices! Rock on!
the only external DAC I know well is my Cambridge DAC Magic Plus that has been a workhorse for several years. Balanced outputs sound great. I use different filters for my streaming vs. CDs; I use an old Musical Fidelity A3.2 CD player as a transport which is built like a tank. As you point out, for upgrades I'm going to upgrade my speakers before I feel the need to update my DAC.
i'm not looking for a Dac, but generally watch most of your videos. I think you give too much importance to what random people comment on your videos. just mention this is your list, your opinions, and forget the trolls. people come here for your personal experience, not for random comments. the entire speech is loaded with you defending yourself from random comments.. everybody's opinion cannot be relevant
Agreed. As Star Slinger says in his song Choose Yourself, “No matter who you are, no matter what you do, no matter who your audience is, 30% will love it, 30% will hate it, and 30% won’t care. Stick with the people who love you and don’t spend a second on the rest. Life will be better that way.”
John, have you tried the two firmware upgrades for the Ares II? v1.6 and v1.8 added a lot of detail, bass control and timbre. Game changer really. Best part is that its free!
I'm glad sb finally mentions that the analogue outputstage and the power supply has way more influence on sound quality than any frickin alpha-beta-gamma-delta-whatever converter-chip.
Hmm, halfway I agree, halfway I disagree. Why: I find a Chord Qutest to do something quite different to treble compared to other dacs: there seem to be a razorblade removed somewhere. But then again, Mr Darko complained about its incisiveness, using a relatively cheap ifi smps. Here I am using a linear one (and isolating smps from my hifi line) I have to say it isnt incisive but clear. So, both of it, or all 3, I suppose matter!
John thanks for responding to viewer demand and reviewing the DMP A6 ! Looking forward to it, even though it's unlikely i'm going to buy it, as i'm really happy with my Wiim into external DAC set up. However i've been totally intrigued by this unit ever since it hit the market. It's such a great looking product!
I can only hope he gives his thoughts on what the master edition version hardware might offer if he doesn't love the standard model. I almost sold 9n the Eversolo so I hope he has decent words for it.
In my DAC journey, I learned that being able to switch inputs from TV to streamer with a remote was a must-have feature. I had a Schiit Modi Multibit for years, but when I upgraded to a Topping E70 this year, I found that my listening probably increased by 75%. I can't say it sounds better or worse, but it made me realize my priorities were not in line with most of the budget DAC market. I respect that all of Darko's selections have unique features that keep them in use, and I thought it was interesting that we got more than halfway through the list before we saw anything with a remote control (I think).
The difference between DACs can indeed be night and day when comparing within the same system and optimized room environment. Ps, glad you went with the Mola Mola Tambaqui, it is most definitely the master of music reproduction.
John, it's been more than 3 years since your initial review of the Chord Hugo 2 with the 2Go streamer combo. Have there been any advances with software for gapless playback from the MicroSD with this setup? In that review 3 years ago, you bemoaned the 'current' situation with apps when using gapless, MicroSD playback. Have any apps improved the situation, here in mid 2023? (or anyone else in the comments section that uses this setup right now, please chime in) Thanks so much!
Great vid about your fav DACs! Looking forward to your thoughts on the Eversolo DMP-A6 (using and not using its internal DAC). Enjoying mine so far and wanted to know if it’s worth it to buy an external DAC (not considering room treatment, speakers, and/or amplifier first) for even better sound?
Theres lots of other factors that will effect how you perceive sound when you hear it. Your mood, temperature, time of day, fatigue and what you have listened to before. Your own hearing can affect your opinion on sound quality. We have to remember John will A,B switch between gear over and over to pick out tiny nuances in sound quality. Its more so a gear hobby rather than a sound quality hobby. Id say pick something in your price range and something you like the look of and enjoy your music. Get into the music again rather than the gear but there is nothing wrong with loving gear and hobbyism too. I do like the honesty in johns videos as he will say when things are not night and day different or sometimes not even needed.
*My DACs:* Darko: Topping D10s Me: Questyle M12 (I have not heard the topping. I *love* the M12 and costs less than $150 and is portable.) Darko: Chord Mojo 2 Me: I used Mojo 1 DACs for years for desktop listening. The battery charging became a hassle. I prefer a dongle DAC for mobile. Darko: Denafrips Ares II Me: Denafrips Ares II I love this DAC. Full, engaging sound with plenty of detail and great value. Darko: Chord Hugo 2 Me: Ideon Audio ‘Ayazi MK2’ My current DAC in my living room rig and love it. I found this DAC more engaging than the Chord Hugo 1, and I am soooo happy to ditch the Hugo batteries. I haven’t heard any DACs with room correction or that cost more or punch higher than the above DACs.
My top 6: 1- Topping dx3 pro+ (200€) 2- my Micromega Mydac from 2015 (300€) 3- the dac on the Bluesound Node X (700€) 4- Audiolab 8300 CDQ (1300€) 5- Denafrips Pontus 12th (2400€) 6- Moon 280D Mind2 (3900€)
Hello, i like your way of thinking Hifi and how you do your reviews! I don’t have six dacs, but four: 1- Lector Digicode s192 2- Rose Rs150 3- Lector Digitube 4- Hegel HD 25 Lector Audio Strumenti is not known by youtube reviewers, but their DACs are really majestic.
RME ADI 2 is missing in this list...it is going to be difficult to find any DAC at any price point that can deliver as many options and settings to tune sound exactly to everyone's very much different and subjective liking than the RME, so even though I understand this video's list of favorites is not mine, I would argue that this is precisely the reason why the RME would have deserved to be on it - because it can pretty much satisfy anybodies needs
I agree..single ended or balanced outputs, PEQ options, adjustable/variable tone controls, the ability to adjust the output voltage to better match whatever preamp or amp one pairs with it. This has proved wonders with tube preamps or tube amps when I use the RME as preamp. Obviously the RME has more intricate options like dual EQ but I mentioned the ones I find very useful..oh, I almost forgot the variable/frequency adjustable Loudness button. On top of all these functions the Dac is transparent/dynamic. It really is a good value in hifi if these type of options are meaningful to you.
One DAC to mention is the SMSL VMV D1SE. It’s suuuch a sweet DAC. I managed to get one at a discount before the new D1SE2 was launched. In comparison, it blows the Eversolo DMP-A6’s DAC not only out of the water, but off the planet. It just does everything right, in every way and in every gengre. I actually stopped thinking about gear and just listen to album after album in pleasant awe. If you can get your hands on one, try it. My system: Eversolo DMP-A6 SMSL VMV D1SE Rega Elex-r Wharfedale Linton 85th Chord Clearway x cables: speaker, interconnects and USB Monosaudio power cables
Qudelix 5k here, great little portable bluetooth/usb dac. Runs my hd600 and iems fine, downloadable eq corrections available for most popular headphones. With some planar iems im pretty happy without breaking the bank.
Qudelix owner here. Honest question for ya'll. I've yet to ever see anyone in public wearing expensive wired headphones connected to a book-sized DAC/amp. Where are these people? In a large percentage of the world, you'd instantly become a target. I see hundreds of products offering solutions to a seemingly made-up problem.
John I listened to your excellent interview with Rob Watts and it was that which convinced me to buy the mojo 2 for portable duties and to run my Wiim pro streamer in my main system and bypass my integrated’s internal dac. So glad I did, there’s just so much more ‘music’ and instruments sound so real-acoustics are mind blowing. I stream Tidal, QOBUZ and Roon and everything sounds clear and rhythmic with bags of detail and plenty of soundstage. The clincher for me was when you discussed how he voiced the dac and he’s said he did hundreds of listening tests which he relied on more than measurements and to me, it definitely explains why this little bit of kit is so phenomenal. Please keep up the great honest reviews. Best.
Yes, mind blowing was the word I used. I just bought a used Mojo and its the best £100 I've spent. I liked the sound of my WiiM Pro Plus dac, but the Mojo does a much,much better job, far exceeding my expectations.
My interests lean towards iFi iDSD, RME ADI 2, Weiss 204, Bryston BDA 3.14 - for variety of reasons. The feature set of RME is a big one. iFi DACs have been used in systems way too expensive for such an inexpensive DAC at various shows.
I appreciate that you tell your viewers that the DAC should be the last component to buy in your system. It’s important for your system is optimized to realize the DAC is the final component needed. I’m a fan of tubes and the Xduoo TA26 is the only DAC that takes 12au7 tubes. The tube with the most variety and quantity of unique sound signatures.
My previous DAC was the CAD 1543 mk2 which saw off the Chord Dave (with and without mscaler), the mola mola and the dCS Bartok (v1 and 2 but pre-apex). It was finally replaced by the dCS Rossini apex which I now have with the Rossini master clock. This is the best dac I have heard.
I have an Apogee Duet from a few years ago and, honestly, the main reason I keep it is that it lets me toggle between my desk monitors and headphones with a single press of a button. I was surprised how difficult it was to find something that let me do this without unplugging cables or fiddling round the back.
i use for my Computer the Fiio K3. For me at that Price still one of the Best for my Gaming Headset or should i say IEM s. For the Daily i have an IfI Go Blue because of its Versatility and i am locking for an Ever Solo DMP A6 for my Hifi Rig. Its sure not the Best in Soud but so nice with the Display!!!!!!!
John, thumbs up on the video and the channel. You mention the Topping screen and how you appreciate that you can see the streaming quality. With the next few dacs, you mention the importance of listening. I agree 100% with that. You must listen. My question is--do you lose the need for the screen on the higher end dacs? I didn't sound like you were concerned with the screen past the Topping. Thank you for the time and education!!
I was kind of reading that as whenever John is in a situation with gear that might be doing some weird up/down scaling, he could toss in the Topping and have it show him any funny business. I could be wrong, though.
Awesome video John - a feat of skill and nuance to contextualize deltas between DACs, delta between DACs and other hifi components (not least the room if listening through speakers), all in the context of an individual's disposable income. ..I'd love a Tambaqi but my Mojo2 is good (enough) for me (for now)! Kudos to you.
I’m currently using an audio interface as a dac and have a small vinyl and cd collection. I love the convenience of streaming however the sound that CDs give give me goosebumps it’s so good. Definitely upgrading to an actual dac.
Thanks John, You are one of the very very few reviewers to point out that the main reason for XLR balanced connections is for long runs of cables. I have three very fine integrated amps. The Crayon CFA 1.2, the Crayon CIA 1T, and the Enleum 23R (before the Enleum, I had the Bakoon 13R) and none of these have balanced inputs.
Being the poor bloke I am, I was lucky to find an SMSL M500 (version 1) for a very affordable price. Being several years old they are hard to beat for the price (roughly $220). I wish I could A/B a bunch of them.
My top 6 DACs are: 1) DCS Debussy - very musical while being highly accurate 2) Gustard R26 - musical and clinical, but disjointed 3) Audio GD R27 - more musical 4) Chord Qutest -more clinical 5) Earmen Tradutto - not your typical Delta-sigma sound, a bit more depth than expected 6) Audioquest Dragonfly Red - great sounding DAC
I had an Ares II for 2 years, it is such a wonderful R2R DAC and at a price point where most people can join in. I'm glad that I don't use speakers, because then I had to buy the Lyngdorf...
Instead of buying a DAC + amp, I decided to put all the budget in one item and buy a (used) Hegel 390 and take advantage of its built-in DAC, which suits me fine until I feel the need for a more resolving / more musical option, and more importantly until I can justify the added cost of that option. In the meantime, the Hegel H390 with Audirvana and a decent connection (Audioquest Carbon or better) works fine for me, and I have removed one box and cables out of my (cluttered) hifi shelf. If I had wanted a separate DAC, it would be probably be the Denafrips Pontus II, but that's just based on reviews and opinions, I have no option to listen to these things in retail anywhere.
Difference between the mojo 2 and the Hugo isn’t super audible unless you have unbelievable headphones or a pretty mighty stereo imo . I went in the end with a Pontus 2 and I’ve got to say I think people should just tune the system to their liking. I still can’t believe how good the Pontus 2 sounds.. well to me anyway. The second I get a chance to have a wine and listen to it I am always just gobsmacked. It’s not that it’s accurate. It’s like when you go past a place that’s selling oled tvs and they’re calibrated for wow factor. But then you get it home and you have to tone it down a little. The weird thing is the Pontus 2 just doesn’t seem ever lose its bloom and fun. It’s completely non fatiguing was a killer upgrade for me but my system is a pretty high water mark so it was pretty clear the differences.
Thank you for your list. In my case, I own both Topping D10s and JDS Labs Atom DAC+. I found that JDS DAC+ is more accurate, more detailed, and neutral, even though it is less meaty a little bit in the mid-range. Also, JDS DAC+ offers the larger soundstage, and it includes an optical input that I can play with CD transport. However, Topping D10s is a great deal, especially for DSD playback in which it supports up to native DSD256. Hence, I use both of them for different purposes depending on playback sources.
Well this is my way to Dac- heaven.: started with the Denafrips Ares, upgraded to a Denafrips Pontus, changed teams to Holo audio. First the spring 3, uograded to the May and now i'm the proud owner of a second hand Mola Mola...reached my end game
I never hear you talk about the room correction in roon's DSP. Does it work, will the Hugo 2 sound as good as the Lyndorf with its room correction? (I know that there is more work implementing room correction in roon)
Great video. Thanks for the Humanoid EP suggestion. I enjoy a meaty sounding DAC and my currently owned favorite's are the Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC which has a enormous soundstage and allows for tube rolling to tweak the sound and flavour of sound subtly , and then the more affordable IFI Neo DAC with LPS due to its flexibility with inputs and head phone output.
Not just here, but in literally every review/comparison I've ever read or watched, the higher the price of an item, the better it supposedly sounds. I wonder why that is? Surely there are lower priced amps, DACs, etc that sound better than something higher priced, no? I'm not talking about a $495 vs $550 either. I'm talking about $495 vs $1500 or more.
The DAC I use with my computer only has a SPDIF in so I use an ARMATURE Hecate XMOS Xcore 208 USB SPDIF Asynchronous Interface which allows me to use a better DAC with the computer. I rely on my computer to do all things digital. Another excellent video 🙏
My six favourite dacs are the Wadax Reference, Lampizator Horizon, APL Hifi DSD-MR-SE, CH Precision C1.2/X1/T1 stack, Audio Note UK Fifth Element/Fifth Force and Soulnote D-3/X-3/Z-3 stack. I personally own a Vitus SCD-025Mk2 cdp which has a very good dac, so Vitus gets an honourable mention.
I kept the same Topping D2 DAC for like 10 years because I didn't think upgrading would make much of a difference. I found out how incredibly wrong I was when I moved to an SMSL M500. The imaging was just so much better I couldn't believe it.
My DAC search started backwards. I wanted to find a DAC that had an exceptional pre-amp; fully balanced with XLR outs and ladder rail volume controller. Then it was the DAC. I ended up with the NuPrime 9 which replaced my RME ADI2. For $1K it’s stellar and the build quality is great.
As a dedicated headphone listener I am delighted with my RME ADI 2 and Sennheisser HD800S set up. However I am feeding this from a MacBook Pro and miss the ‘loading of CD’ element from my listening experience. So I am hoping you will review some CD transports in the near future. I might not agree with your review but find the framework you use in making a review informs my own auditioning process
I have one separate dac. A topping d50s. In my bedroom with a Wiim mini. Tube amp and diy speakers. My Hegel h90 have one pretty good inside. Must do a a\b test and take Wiim+d50 to the basement and listen if the d50 Is better. Some day. Ty for the video.
Tip: if you go to Poland at the end of the year for the Warsaw Audio Video Show 2024, try to get an appointment with Lipinski Sound. This might very well be the best you ever heard.
So we’re supposed to buy DACs until we find the one we like. Man, I miss the times when you could test products at a store and if you liked it you would buy it.
Hey! It's amazing, I know, but my room layout is EXACTLY the same as yours. My ears are EXACTLY the same shape as yours. My taste in music is EXACTLY the same as yours. Also, money is no object. As such, what are the BEST speakers? 🤪
I discovered a vintage 1970 Sansui 4000 stereo receiver and have ditched all of my modern gear, other than my Zu Dirty Weekend speakers and Oppo BDP-83 that I use as a CD transport, and for an occasional movie... For a DAC, because I still stream, and a preamp as the Sansui is strictly analog, I am using the WiiM Mini as a DAC/Preamp/Streamer hooked to a 5v linear power supply... I have a PS Audio DAC/Preamp, a Mercury v2 running RoPieeeXL along with a Venus II 12th, which I just sold... I ditched all of them for the WiiM. The Venus was veiled, the PS Audio, it was a tough call, probably a bit better than the WiiM, of course it was, but not by much, BUT! Here is where the WiiM kicks their collective asses. The App. The app that comes with the WiiM, and the fact that everyone in my household can use it, makes it the hands down winner. And actually, head to head, it was difficult to hear any audible differences between it and the PS Audio unit. I have the WiiM pro ordered for the optical input to use the Oppo via the WiiM. Don't knock it until you have tried it. On the right system, remember, vintage gear here, it works just as good as a thousand dollar or more DAC, especially using Tidal and or Qobuz.
Oh, exciting! I just realized I have 6 DACs so I get to play. (No idea how that happened.) That means they must all be my favorites over several systems and use cases. In the order of purchase date: Chord Qutest MHDT Orchid Apple dongle Topping E30 Soekris dac1421 Schiit Fulla E
I could not agree more about room dynamics. I have spent a lifetime of buying gear and being happy until a new room is used and then frequently it all goes to pot, with the price of the system not being the solution. It will be great to understand what can be adapted in rooms and what this will really cost.
Finally this type of video again, I have longed for a video like this since your video on the D10s which was featured in your 3 part video series on DACs where u showed that cheap DACs can be made better by adding an ifi smps to them.
Thank You for your recommendations and for your perspective. I'm getting the feeling that a good DAC... is like a good camera. What do I mean? Have you ever looked at a photo and said to yourself "man.. that picture looks better than life"? Camera companies have little techniques that do that. I'm starting to get the feeling that good DACs are similar... where they actually make the music to be more vibrant and alive than it ever sounded before.
And at the end you mentioned you will only review streaming DACs in the future makes sense. My D10s is connected to a Yamaha N303D which is almost a streaming DAC with an Amp too. With my limited budget that got me quickly to a digital first streaming setup. Still buying CDs though and rip them for all my listening.
I like the RME ADI-2-DAC FS with balanced xlr outputs, superb DAC
John, your comments on the relative influence of rooms, speakers, amps and then finally between DACs really hit the nail on the head for me, based on my own much more limited experience, thanks for that
This might be my favorite Darko video yet. Priorities and personal perspectives about what represents a value proposition. A lot to take away.
You are very kind and lots of fun to watch! Thanks for everything!!!
Dear John,
For more than 30 years I have been a lover of good sounding music. I have built up a nice set based on class A amplifiers over the years. I upgraded the 16 bit old CD drives and the Sonos connect by starting with external DACs. Your videos have helped tremendously in that quest. In addition to a Cambridge DacMagic 100 and a Topping E30, I now have a Cambridge 851D (unfortunately no longer made) and a Sonos Port. The latter streamer is not the most expensive thing you can buy, but it plays with Apple music without any problems. Still, in my opinion, everything sounds significantly better than many other devices because the basics in amplifiers and speakers (Focal) are in order. I've tried Tidal and Qobuz, but they don't add anything for me, and indeed, usually CD quality is fine. Keep it up!
DAC's are an important part of the chain. Especially when you have high end gear that does not obfuscate what the dac is able to do.
I've tried a ton of Dacs from Pegasus to smsl 400.
Geshelli Labs has impressed me the most and is my go-to.
The J2 is fantastic, and now they have newer models coming out that should be a step above.
That and the owners are amazing people
Love my JNOG2 DAC! Sweet to my ears. Also have a modi 3. But the JNOG2 is so good the modi has been relegated to my office stereo.
Top 6 DACs, I’ve ever heard are
1. Mola Mola Tambaqui
2. Playback Designs MPD-8
3. DCS Lina DAC
4. Chord Dave
5. DCS Bartok
6. Chord TT2
I have had the Merason Frerot DAC for a while, I auditioned several other DACs including the Ares II but I fell for the simplicity and sound signature of the Frerot. I doubt I will ever change it out. Would be nice to see you review it!
I just would like to tell you the music you use in the videos are just delightful ❤️ thank you for the video.
That first song had a strong Com Truise vibe.
Right now the Denafrips Terminator + has stolen my heart. It’s ability to present music in a grandiose, yet relaxing way is incredibly addicting.
I love that the internet has become so dense John needs to disclaim to us like we are 5 years old… because we are really :)
You are correct. However John’s speaking down to us does get quite old nonetheless. Wish his tone was a bit more friendly.
Too many are, sadly. "Attention viewers. This is about DACs. That's DACs. DACs. Once again..."
You might be.
Just to clear things up, I’m six!
John’s speech to us is because he reads the comments and the droll trolls.
@@rockyholliday7311 I think his tone is appropriate to the message here. People way, way overstate the differences between DACs and the internet seems awash with highly opinionated ‘whatabouters’.
I have the Gustard R26 DAC. It blends the filament bulby-warm sound of an R2R DAC, and the clearness of a chip DAC, but without the associated harshness and glare. A bit of both that is, like a good red wine cuvee. Expresses itself well with all music genres…
Yep the Gustard is getting very good reviews. It is a third more expensive than Ares though. And if my name was Gus, I'd be very annoyed.
Yes, have spend a lot of time with the Tambaqui at my vacation job last year (high end store) and it is indeed a piece of absolute sonic art. Even compared to much more expensive devices (like the Linn Klimax DSM). ❤
Like you said, sound is subjective and everyone is chasing a particular sound to their ears.
That being said, I appreciate your perspective and enjoy your videos
Excellent summary. And my own preferences, in ascending order of preference (and based on personal experience):
1. Arcam AVR20 (ESS9026Pro). For a built-in DAC in an AV receiver, this is well designed and provides excellent staging, clarity and detail
2. Gustard A26. Definitely a step up, extended bass, presence and spatial cues. In my case, unreliable and poorly supported by Gustard
3. Teac UD-701n. If you can find one, this has a fantastic build and sound quality for the price. Lots of options, and needs a deal of 'running in' to give its best. No support from Teac however (in the UK at least). Probably the best bangs-per-buck of all of the discrete DACs in this list.
4. Chord Dave. A big jump in price, but fantastic level of detail and imaging. To my mind, lacks the ultimate presence and musicality of…
5. Dcs Bartok (pre-Apex version). With the right system, provides just a stunning level of openness, control, imaging, staging, detail and just plain listenability. Only (for my tastes) trumped by…
6. Yep, the Mola Mola Tambaqui. I can't really add much to what's already been written about this DAC, but just wow, and for all types of music. Expensive yes, but I'd never have believed that a DAC could make so much difference to the enjoyment of music. Which surely is what it's all about?
Thanks John, excellent video, as always 👍🏼
Recently upgraded headphones and now I find it much easier to identify the best sounding cables or DAC. Then when I play through the speakers, it sounds great. It ensures that I'm not choosing a DAC, cables and speakers to compensate for the room for example.
A few years ago I gave my listening room a full treatment using G.I.K panels and bass traps. Best decision I ever made in regards to sound improvement and far better than any component change.
Great video. I just bought the Eversolo DMP-A6 (upgraded from the FiiO R7 in my home office) and I'm loving it so far.
Onto the top 6
In no specific order:
Topping D10 Balanced (I used this with my headphone amp when I started getting into separates for headphone use)
PS Audio DirectStream (out dated now with the MK II out)
Auralic Vega (gen 1) was to me, better than the PS Audio DS
Chord Qutest (I got this used for $1200 AUD) Amazing little DAC. I've since added the M Scaler and WOW
Denafrips Terminator Plus WOW I was blown away with this (I got this on loan for a week)
Chord Dave with M Scaler and upgraded PSU. For me, this is my end game DAC (until a Dave 2 comes out) I was lucky enough to borrow one from a friend who was looking at selling it. I had it 2hrs and said I'll buy it (with the stand) for a GREAT price.
I've owned 17 DACs and these are my 6 favourites
I love how John is losing his schiit with people’s comments, before they’ve even commented 😂
I’m using the Lyngdorf 3400 as a streamer-dac only in my system. The RP takes this DAC to a level that event the very best(most expensive) can only dream off.
Presumably the 1120 can do this too? I'm on the cusp of adding a more grunty amp to mine.
It's always great to see other people's choices of hifi equipment and this video was no exception. My DAC choices would be the Chord Cutest, Chord TT 2, Chord DAVE, DCS Bartok, DCS Rossini apex, DCS Vivaldi apex. My end game DAC will be the Chord TT 2, with the upscaler. Perfectly sufficient for my system and sounds incredible for the money.
I find it kinda amusing that four of your favorites are in daily (almost) use in my listening room! Those would be the Topping D10, Chord Mojo, Chord Hugo2 and the Denafrips Ares II. However, i have chosen the Auralic Vega G2.1 as my favorite DAC, which really benefits from it's streaming interface (like the Tambaqui). I do have another favorite though, in the more affordable spectrum, and thats the Audiobyte Black Dragon. A terrific sounding DAC with volume control and a surprisingly good headphone socket. Really intriguing desing also with filtering done through FPGA programming and only simple DAC duties by a pair of AKM chips!
John, I love the tone of this video! It's straightforward, no-nonsense opinion and information. Leave all of the nonsense at the door and get on with sharing your hi-fi priorities and choices! Rock on!
Well done John. I’m in the hunt for a dac. So many factors involved. It’s information overload.
the only external DAC I know well is my Cambridge DAC Magic Plus that has been a workhorse for several years. Balanced outputs sound great. I use different filters for my streaming vs. CDs; I use an old Musical Fidelity A3.2 CD player as a transport which is built like a tank. As you point out, for upgrades I'm going to upgrade my speakers before I feel the need to update my DAC.
i'm not looking for a Dac, but generally watch most of your videos. I think you give too much importance to what random people comment on your videos. just mention this is your list, your opinions, and forget the trolls. people come here for your personal experience, not for random comments. the entire speech is loaded with you defending yourself from random comments.. everybody's opinion cannot be relevant
Yep agreed. Let go of the frustration. It’s the internet after all.
Good point 👍
You really can’t create anything on the internet without some random people hating what you say.
He basically said and addressed toward the beginning, these are his favs and and other people will have their favs because of their subjective ears.
Agreed. As Star Slinger says in his song Choose Yourself, “No matter who you are, no matter what you do, no matter who your audience is, 30% will love it, 30% will hate it, and 30% won’t care. Stick with the people who love you and don’t spend a second on the rest. Life will be better that way.”
Its just your take we come for, Darko! Many thanks for being cheerful as ever!
I have been using the topic ever since I saw it in your review and I‘m loving it. It drives two 4ohm loud speakers. Works perfectly fine.
John, have you tried the two firmware upgrades for the Ares II? v1.6 and v1.8 added a lot of detail, bass control and timbre. Game changer really. Best part is that its free!
I'm glad sb finally mentions that the analogue outputstage and the power supply has way more influence on sound quality than any frickin alpha-beta-gamma-delta-whatever converter-chip.
Hmm, halfway I agree, halfway I disagree. Why: I find a Chord Qutest to do something quite different to treble compared to other dacs: there seem to be a razorblade removed somewhere. But then again, Mr Darko complained about its incisiveness, using a relatively cheap ifi smps. Here I am using a linear one (and isolating smps from my hifi line) I have to say it isnt incisive but clear. So, both of it, or all 3, I suppose matter!
John thanks for responding to viewer demand and reviewing the DMP A6 !
Looking forward to it, even though it's unlikely i'm going to buy it, as i'm really happy with my Wiim into external DAC set up. However i've been totally intrigued by this unit ever since it hit the market. It's such a great looking product!
I can only hope he gives his thoughts on what the master edition version hardware might offer if he doesn't love the standard model. I almost sold 9n the Eversolo so I hope he has decent words for it.
In my DAC journey, I learned that being able to switch inputs from TV to streamer with a remote was a must-have feature. I had a Schiit Modi Multibit for years, but when I upgraded to a Topping E70 this year, I found that my listening probably increased by 75%. I can't say it sounds better or worse, but it made me realize my priorities were not in line with most of the budget DAC market. I respect that all of Darko's selections have unique features that keep them in use, and I thought it was interesting that we got more than halfway through the list before we saw anything with a remote control (I think).
The difference between DACs can indeed be night and day when comparing within the same system and optimized room environment. Ps, glad you went with the Mola Mola Tambaqui, it is most definitely the master of music reproduction.
John, it's been more than 3 years since your initial review of the Chord Hugo 2 with the 2Go streamer combo. Have there been any advances with software for gapless playback from the MicroSD with this setup? In that review 3 years ago, you bemoaned the 'current' situation with apps when using gapless, MicroSD playback.
Have any apps improved the situation, here in mid 2023? (or anyone else in the comments section that uses this setup right now, please chime in)
Thanks so much!
Great vid about your fav DACs! Looking forward to your thoughts on the Eversolo DMP-A6 (using and not using its internal DAC). Enjoying mine so far and wanted to know if it’s worth it to buy an external DAC (not considering room treatment, speakers, and/or amplifier first) for even better sound?
Theres lots of other factors that will effect how you perceive sound when you hear it. Your mood, temperature, time of day, fatigue and what you have listened to before.
Your own hearing can affect your opinion on sound quality.
We have to remember John will A,B switch between gear over and over to pick out tiny nuances in sound quality.
Its more so a gear hobby rather than a sound quality hobby.
Id say pick something in your price range and something you like the look of and enjoy your music. Get into the music again rather than the gear but there is nothing wrong with loving gear and hobbyism too.
I do like the honesty in johns videos as he will say when things are not night and day different or sometimes not even needed.
*My DACs:*
Darko: Topping D10s
Me: Questyle M12
(I have not heard the topping. I *love* the M12 and costs less than $150 and is portable.)
Darko: Chord Mojo 2
Me: I used Mojo 1 DACs for years for desktop listening. The battery charging became a hassle. I prefer a dongle DAC for mobile.
Darko: Denafrips Ares II
Me: Denafrips Ares II
I love this DAC. Full, engaging sound with plenty of detail and great value.
Darko: Chord Hugo 2
Me: Ideon Audio ‘Ayazi MK2’
My current DAC in my living room rig and love it. I found this DAC more engaging than the Chord Hugo 1, and I am soooo happy to ditch the Hugo batteries.
I haven’t heard any DACs with room correction or that cost more or punch higher than the above DACs.
My top 6:
1- Topping dx3 pro+ (200€)
2- my Micromega Mydac from 2015 (300€)
3- the dac on the Bluesound Node X (700€)
4- Audiolab 8300 CDQ (1300€)
5- Denafrips Pontus 12th (2400€)
6- Moon 280D Mind2 (3900€)
Please tell me more about the sound of the node X :)
I stream from my MacBook Pro M1 Max via through the custom internal DAC in my MARANTZ SA10 SACD Player. It sounds fantastic!
"Financial Situation" .... :-) Nice review to include that criteria. Thanks Darko, as informative as usual.
Hello, i like your way of thinking Hifi and how you do your reviews! I don’t have six dacs, but four:
1- Lector Digicode s192
2- Rose Rs150
3- Lector Digitube
4- Hegel HD 25
Lector Audio Strumenti is not known by youtube reviewers, but their DACs are really majestic.
RME ADI 2 is missing in this list...it is going to be difficult to find any DAC at any price point that can deliver as many options and settings to tune sound exactly to everyone's very much different and subjective liking than the RME, so even though I understand this video's list of favorites is not mine, I would argue that this is precisely the reason why the RME would have deserved to be on it - because it can pretty much satisfy anybodies needs
I agree..single ended or balanced outputs, PEQ options, adjustable/variable tone controls, the ability to adjust the output voltage to better match whatever preamp or amp one pairs with it. This has proved wonders with tube preamps or tube amps when I use the RME as preamp. Obviously the RME has more intricate options like dual EQ but I mentioned the ones I find very useful..oh, I almost forgot the variable/frequency adjustable Loudness button. On top of all these functions the Dac is transparent/dynamic. It really is a good value in hifi if these type of options are meaningful to you.
One DAC to mention is the SMSL VMV D1SE. It’s suuuch a sweet DAC. I managed to get one at a discount before the new D1SE2 was launched.
In comparison, it blows the Eversolo DMP-A6’s DAC not only out of the water, but off the planet. It just does everything right, in every way and in every gengre. I actually stopped thinking about gear and just listen to album after album in pleasant awe.
If you can get your hands on one, try it.
My system:
Eversolo DMP-A6
SMSL VMV D1SE
Rega Elex-r
Wharfedale Linton 85th
Chord Clearway x cables: speaker, interconnects and USB
Monosaudio power cables
Qudelix 5k here, great little portable bluetooth/usb dac. Runs my hd600 and iems fine, downloadable eq corrections available for most popular headphones. With some planar iems im pretty happy without breaking the bank.
Qudelix owner here. Honest question for ya'll. I've yet to ever see anyone in public wearing expensive wired headphones connected to a book-sized DAC/amp. Where are these people? In a large percentage of the world, you'd instantly become a target. I see hundreds of products offering solutions to a seemingly made-up problem.
John I listened to your excellent interview with Rob Watts and it was that which convinced me to buy the mojo 2 for portable duties and to run my Wiim pro streamer in my main system and bypass my integrated’s internal dac. So glad I did, there’s just so much more ‘music’ and instruments sound so real-acoustics are mind blowing. I stream Tidal, QOBUZ and Roon and everything sounds clear and rhythmic with bags of detail and plenty of soundstage. The clincher for me was when you discussed how he voiced the dac and he’s said he did hundreds of listening tests which he relied on more than measurements and to me, it definitely explains why this little bit of kit is so phenomenal. Please keep up the great honest reviews. Best.
Yes, mind blowing was the word I used. I just bought a used Mojo and its the best £100 I've spent. I liked the sound of my WiiM Pro Plus dac, but the Mojo does a much,much better job, far exceeding my expectations.
Best DAC for me is one with full Dirac to help deal with those room issues!! Minidsp do a range of products at different price points.
My interests lean towards iFi iDSD, RME ADI 2, Weiss 204, Bryston BDA 3.14 - for variety of reasons. The feature set of RME is a big one. iFi DACs have been used in systems way too expensive for such an inexpensive DAC at various shows.
I love Ifi dac too. It is a combination of musicality and technical. Unlike Schiit dacs and Chord dacs
I appreciate that you tell your viewers that the DAC should be the last component to buy in your system. It’s important for your system is optimized to realize the DAC is the final component needed.
I’m a fan of tubes and the Xduoo TA26 is the only DAC that takes 12au7 tubes. The tube with the most variety and quantity of unique sound signatures.
My previous DAC was the CAD 1543 mk2 which saw off the Chord Dave (with and without mscaler), the mola mola and the dCS Bartok (v1 and 2 but pre-apex). It was finally replaced by the dCS Rossini apex which I now have with the Rossini master clock. This is the best dac I have heard.
I have an Apogee Duet from a few years ago and, honestly, the main reason I keep it is that it lets me toggle between my desk monitors and headphones with a single press of a button. I was surprised how difficult it was to find something that let me do this without unplugging cables or fiddling round the back.
i use for my Computer the Fiio K3. For me at that Price still one of the Best for my Gaming Headset or should i say IEM s. For the Daily i have an IfI Go Blue because of its Versatility and i am locking for an Ever Solo DMP A6 for my Hifi Rig. Its sure not the Best in Soud but so nice with the Display!!!!!!!
John, thumbs up on the video and the channel. You mention the Topping screen and how you appreciate that you can see the streaming quality. With the next few dacs, you mention the importance of listening. I agree 100% with that. You must listen. My question is--do you lose the need for the screen on the higher end dacs? I didn't sound like you were concerned with the screen past the Topping. Thank you for the time and education!!
I was kind of reading that as whenever John is in a situation with gear that might be doing some weird up/down scaling, he could toss in the Topping and have it show him any funny business. I could be wrong, though.
Awesome video John - a feat of skill and nuance to contextualize deltas between DACs, delta between DACs and other hifi components (not least the room if listening through speakers), all in the context of an individual's disposable income. ..I'd love a Tambaqi but my Mojo2 is good (enough) for me (for now)! Kudos to you.
I’m currently using an audio interface as a dac and have a small vinyl and cd collection. I love the convenience of streaming however the sound that CDs give give me goosebumps it’s so good. Definitely upgrading to an actual dac.
What interface, was thinking of doing the same?
Thanks John,
You are one of the very very few reviewers to point out that the main reason for XLR balanced connections is for long runs of cables. I have three very fine integrated amps. The Crayon CFA 1.2, the Crayon CIA 1T, and the Enleum 23R (before the Enleum, I had the Bakoon 13R) and none of these have balanced inputs.
great info. agree... DACs are VERY similar. I did a DAVE vs 1000 dac... could barely tell a difference.
Thumbs up for that intro music alone lol
Being the poor bloke I am, I was lucky to find an SMSL M500 (version 1) for a very affordable price. Being several years old they are hard to beat for the price (roughly $220). I wish I could A/B a bunch of them.
You've probably forgotten the no less famous Chord Qutest, and the Rme Adi 2-FS...
Excellent machines ! 😉
1. Holoaudio may kte
2. Denafrips ares ii
3. T+A dac 8 dsd
4. T+A dac200
5. Msb analog dac with full options
6. Meitner ma-1 v2
My top 6 DACs are:
1) DCS Debussy - very musical while being highly accurate
2) Gustard R26 - musical and clinical, but disjointed
3) Audio GD R27 - more musical
4) Chord Qutest -more clinical
5) Earmen Tradutto - not your typical Delta-sigma sound, a bit more depth than expected
6) Audioquest Dragonfly Red - great sounding DAC
Hello, what about the RME Dac .... ?
I had an Ares II for 2 years, it is such a wonderful R2R DAC and at a price point where most people can join in. I'm glad that I don't use speakers, because then I had to buy the Lyngdorf...
Instead of buying a DAC + amp, I decided to put all the budget in one item and buy a (used) Hegel 390 and take advantage of its built-in DAC, which suits me fine until I feel the need for a more resolving / more musical option, and more importantly until I can justify the added cost of that option. In the meantime, the Hegel H390 with Audirvana and a decent connection (Audioquest Carbon or better) works fine for me, and I have removed one box and cables out of my (cluttered) hifi shelf.
If I had wanted a separate DAC, it would be probably be the Denafrips Pontus II, but that's just based on reviews and opinions, I have no option to listen to these things in retail anywhere.
RME???
Why don't you do a top 6 receivers that can be used as a "DAC"? Since you did that with the lyngdorf.
I got one of those Topping D10's and love it. It was an excellent purchase.
Difference between the mojo 2 and the Hugo isn’t super audible unless you have unbelievable headphones or a pretty mighty stereo imo . I went in the end with a Pontus 2 and I’ve got to say I think people should just tune the system to their liking. I still can’t believe how good the Pontus 2 sounds.. well to me anyway. The second I get a chance to have a wine and listen to it I am always just gobsmacked. It’s not that it’s accurate. It’s like when you go past a place that’s selling oled tvs and they’re calibrated for wow factor. But then you get it home and you have to tone it down a little. The weird thing is the Pontus 2 just doesn’t seem ever lose its bloom and fun. It’s completely non fatiguing was a killer upgrade for me but my system is a pretty high water mark so it was pretty clear the differences.
Thank you for your list. In my case, I own both Topping D10s and JDS Labs Atom DAC+. I found that JDS DAC+ is more accurate, more detailed, and neutral, even though it is less meaty a little bit in the mid-range. Also, JDS DAC+ offers the larger soundstage, and it includes an optical input that I can play with CD transport. However, Topping D10s is a great deal, especially for DSD playback in which it supports up to native DSD256. Hence, I use both of them for different purposes depending on playback sources.
Well this is my way to Dac- heaven.: started with the Denafrips Ares, upgraded to a Denafrips Pontus, changed teams to Holo audio. First the spring 3, uograded to the May and now i'm the proud owner of a second hand Mola Mola...reached my end game
Share with us your impressions of the Mola Mola)
I never hear you talk about the room correction in roon's DSP. Does it work, will the Hugo 2 sound as good as the Lyndorf with its room correction? (I know that there is more work implementing room correction in roon)
Great video. Thanks for the Humanoid EP suggestion. I enjoy a meaty sounding DAC and my currently owned favorite's are the Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC which has a enormous soundstage and allows for tube rolling to tweak the sound and flavour of sound subtly , and then the more affordable IFI Neo DAC with LPS due to its flexibility with inputs and head phone output.
I love Schiit Yggrasil upgraded (or downgraded?) to version LIM
Not just here, but in literally every review/comparison I've ever read or watched, the higher the price of an item, the better it supposedly sounds. I wonder why that is? Surely there are lower priced amps, DACs, etc that sound better than something higher priced, no? I'm not talking about a $495 vs $550 either. I'm talking about $495 vs $1500 or more.
The DAC I use with my computer only has a SPDIF in so I use an ARMATURE Hecate XMOS Xcore 208 USB SPDIF Asynchronous Interface which allows me to use a better DAC with the computer. I rely on my computer to do all things digital.
Another excellent video 🙏
My six favourite dacs are the Wadax Reference, Lampizator Horizon, APL Hifi DSD-MR-SE, CH Precision C1.2/X1/T1 stack, Audio Note UK Fifth Element/Fifth Force and Soulnote D-3/X-3/Z-3 stack. I personally own a Vitus SCD-025Mk2 cdp which has a very good dac, so Vitus gets an honourable mention.
One question: Do you have any intention of reviewing the Holo May Level 3 Kitsune?
Always a pleasure to listen to your balanced opinions.
Mojo 2 sounds great but also it is a mobile phone signal noise hell when you are on the go.
I kept the same Topping D2 DAC for like 10 years because I didn't think upgrading would make much of a difference. I found out how incredibly wrong I was when I moved to an SMSL M500. The imaging was just so much better I couldn't believe it.
My DAC search started backwards. I wanted to find a DAC that had an exceptional pre-amp; fully balanced with XLR outs and ladder rail volume controller. Then it was the DAC. I ended up with the NuPrime 9 which replaced my RME ADI2. For $1K it’s stellar and the build quality is great.
As a dedicated headphone listener I am delighted with my RME ADI 2 and Sennheisser HD800S set up. However I am feeding this from a MacBook Pro and miss the ‘loading of CD’ element from my listening experience. So I am hoping you will review some CD transports in the near future. I might not agree with your review but find the framework you use in making a review informs my own auditioning process
You should try a new Weiss Dac204 and a T+A Dac 200 next if you can get them in. Also why no Lampizator reviews?
I have one separate dac. A topping d50s. In my bedroom with a Wiim mini. Tube amp and diy speakers. My Hegel h90 have one pretty good inside. Must do a a\b test and take Wiim+d50 to the basement and listen if the d50 Is better. Some day. Ty for the video.
Tip: if you go to Poland at the end of the year for the Warsaw Audio Video Show 2024, try to get an appointment with Lipinski Sound. This might very well be the best you ever heard.
So we’re supposed to buy DACs until we find the one we like. Man, I miss the times when you could test products at a store and if you liked it you would buy it.
You can still do that at many audio/hifi stores. You need a starting point though..
Yep. I miss hi-fi shops too…
Great list John, I love my Mojo 2, sounds great and is extremely versatile. Techno sounds great through it!
What a great and enjoyable video 😎👌
Hey! It's amazing, I know, but my room layout is EXACTLY the same as yours. My ears are EXACTLY the same shape as yours. My taste in music is EXACTLY the same as yours. Also, money is no object. As such, what are the BEST speakers?
🤪
I discovered a vintage 1970 Sansui 4000 stereo receiver and have ditched all of my modern gear, other than my Zu Dirty Weekend speakers and Oppo BDP-83 that I use as a CD transport, and for an occasional movie... For a DAC, because I still stream, and a preamp as the Sansui is strictly analog, I am using the WiiM Mini as a DAC/Preamp/Streamer hooked to a 5v linear power supply... I have a PS Audio DAC/Preamp, a Mercury v2 running RoPieeeXL along with a Venus II 12th, which I just sold... I ditched all of them for the WiiM.
The Venus was veiled, the PS Audio, it was a tough call, probably a bit better than the WiiM, of course it was, but not by much, BUT! Here is where the WiiM kicks their collective asses. The App. The app that comes with the WiiM, and the fact that everyone in my household can use it, makes it the hands down winner. And actually, head to head, it was difficult to hear any audible differences between it and the PS Audio unit. I have the WiiM pro ordered for the optical input to use the Oppo via the WiiM. Don't knock it until you have tried it. On the right system, remember, vintage gear here, it works just as good as a thousand dollar or more DAC, especially using Tidal and or Qobuz.
Great video! Did I not see you with a set of KEF R3 Meta? When is that review coming?
Oh, exciting! I just realized I have 6 DACs so I get to play. (No idea how that happened.) That means they must all be my favorites over several systems and use cases. In the order of purchase date:
Chord Qutest
MHDT Orchid
Apple dongle
Topping E30
Soekris dac1421
Schiit Fulla E
I could not agree more about room dynamics. I have spent a lifetime of buying gear and being happy until a new room is used and then frequently it all goes to pot, with the price of the system not being the solution. It will be great to understand what can be adapted in rooms and what this will really cost.
Finally this type of video again, I have longed for a video like this since your video on the D10s which was featured in your 3 part video series on DACs where u showed that cheap DACs can be made better by adding an ifi smps to them.
Thank You for your recommendations and for your perspective.
I'm getting the feeling that a good DAC... is like a good camera. What do I mean? Have you ever looked at a photo and said to yourself "man.. that picture looks better than life"? Camera companies have little techniques that do that. I'm starting to get the feeling that good DACs are similar... where they actually make the music to be more vibrant and alive than it ever sounded before.
Also don't forget the D10s is also a D2D ... it has a optical output too. Good value for money this device. Great way to get audio out of a PC.
And at the end you mentioned you will only review streaming DACs in the future makes sense. My D10s is connected to a Yamaha N303D which is almost a streaming DAC with an Amp too. With my limited budget that got me quickly to a digital first streaming setup. Still buying CDs though and rip them for all my listening.
Your focus on room treatments is extremely important. Good show