Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC Discussions | Drop

Jun 6, 2018

TamPrsI've been looking for a balanced option for the THX AAA that I already dropped into. I didn't want to do a Jotunheim because that's paying a lot more to use the Multibit Modit DAC but also don't want to drop 1200 on an Gungrir.
Let me know if you find a good balanced output DAC option.

Jun 6, 2018

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Jun 6, 2018

djfluffkinsDepends on your budget. During my research for a balanced dac + preamp and remote. I stumbled on few interesting ones few does not have remote but it's interesting. Price range varies quite a lot since my budget was not set then. Audiolab mdac+ denafrips ares BENCHMARK DAC3 HGC Gustard x20pro/22 Lks audio mh-da004 Questyle CMA-600i Questyle CMA-400i Holo spring Mytec liberty Mytec Brooklyn+
Hope i gave you some starting point. Currently I own yulong d200 and the jot.

Jun 6, 2018

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MarcSpence

180

Jun 6, 2018

TamPrsDouble the price

Jun 6, 2018

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FrostyP

502

Jun 7, 2018

TamPrsThe Benchmark DAC3 is the best DAC on the market and its design is actually based in science unlike most boutique DACs

Jun 7, 2018

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Jun 7, 2018

FrostyPNo proper retailers/distributor in my country. So getting it service is another consideration as well a $2k usd dac with no service/support is a no go.

Jun 7, 2018

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Jun 7, 2018

FrostyPAny support for this claim of 'best' ? Best numbers perchance?

Jun 7, 2018

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FrostyP

502

Jun 7, 2018

abraxalitoyou can go to the Stereophile review for one example https://www.stereophile.com/content/benchmark-dac3-hgc-da-preamplifier-headphone-amplifier-measurements

Jun 7, 2018

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Jun 7, 2018

FrostyPYeah I think I already read that review. But 'best' in my understanding does not mean 'lowest/highest numbers'.

Jun 7, 2018

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FrostyP

502

Jun 7, 2018

abraxalitoThen your undersanding is not objective and should be completely disregarded

Jun 7, 2018

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Jun 7, 2018

FrostyPYou're right in the first part of what you say - nobody's understanding is objective. The second part of what you say is just your subjective opinion.

Jun 7, 2018

Jun 7, 2018

abraxalitoAny thoughts on this vs the Topping DX7s drop that just opened? Against the Multibit Jotu as well I guess...
I’m not sure I’m ready to go above 1k into a balanced DAC right now...

Jun 7, 2018

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Jun 7, 2018

TamPrsDo you have the jot with the multibit dac? Or just the standard (or no DAC at all)?
I think I'm ok going with the Jotu multibit at 600... but the Topping DX7s at 350 is pretty tempting. I wish I heard more multibit or r-2r to get a sense of whether it's snake oil to my ears or not.

Jun 7, 2018

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Jun 8, 2018

djfluffkinsMine is standard jot. Can't comment on multibit thing, never heard R2R Dacs.

Jun 8, 2018

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Jun 8, 2018

djfluffkinsHad a quick look at the DX7, could not see any internal pics so really have no idea. Most designers who use ESS DACs are numbers-focussed (Ayre being a notable exception) so use the standard applications which in most cases don't deliver the best sound.

Jun 8, 2018

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Jun 8, 2018

abraxalitoSo... this drop without balanced support over DX7s with balanced support? guess it's the fairest comparison for the price points.

Jun 8, 2018

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Jun 8, 2018

djfluffkinsWhat concerns me greatly about this drop is the 6month latency, during which who knows what interesting new DACs are going to be introduced?

Jun 8, 2018

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