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djfluffkins
157
Apr 24, 2018
I joined this drop when it was active and have recently been thinking about going towards a balanced setup (especially with my Focal Elex in transit).
Does anyone have any recommendations for a Balanced DAC with XLR outputs that would feed into this?
RottenRodney
46
Apr 25, 2018
djfluffkinsSure. RME ADI-2 DAC; You would also have a nice amp for regular headphones and iem's(outputs for both) and Parametric equalize to boot. The amp is 1.5 watts and .5 watts for iem's. I bought the the THX AAA amp too, but listen to the RME till the Massdrop one arrives in Oct. I use HE-400i's and HD-600. https://headfonics.com/2018/04/rme-adi-2-dac-review/
PopZeus
386
May 6, 2018
djfluffkinsI'm loving my R2R DAC from Audio-gd. I think for an amp this transparent, some really musical coloration is warranted. Unless you're doing some critical listening.
djfluffkins
157
May 6, 2018
PopZeusWhich one do you have?
I've personally be heavily leaning towards getting the Schiit Jotunheim Multibit just as a way to explore the non-deltasigma world. The Schiit DAC above that with balanced out (Gungnir) prices out at almost 1,300 for the multibit version which is just more than I'm willing to invest at this point.
That being said, having not explored multibit or R2R myself, what is the difference you've noticed in listening?
The_Jniac
322
May 8, 2018
djfluffkinsTopping DX7S. It is a fantastic DAC (See here [https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-dx7s-dac-and-headphone-amp.2378/] for actual proof, not the usual audiophile " I do not volume match or do blind testing but this measurably-transparent DAC is waaay better than this other, less expensive measurably-transparent DAC") The amp in it is rubbish though. Why topping thinks an amp with 10 ohm output impedance, or 20 on the balanced output, is acceptable on a product costing hundreds of dollars is beyond me.
The_Jniac
322
May 8, 2018
djfluffkinsAs someone that has a Multibit DAC, do not bother. Schiit's Multibit DACs are, quite frankly, nonsense. They measure worse and cost more, and do not offer any audible benefits whatsoever. I am sure people will debate that point with me, but I have spent a rather disgusting amount of time researching these things and the scientific evidence, including experimental studies, rather strongly suggest that as a whole, DACs offering sonic benefits are nonsense in the vast majority of cases.
PopZeus
386
May 8, 2018
djfluffkinsI got this a few weeks ago: http://www.audio-gd.com/R2R/R2R1/R2R1EN.htm
As I posted in (greater detail in) the thread on head-fi, Audio-gd's R2R DACs win on analog smoothness, not technicalities, but the R2R 1 brings enough details and dynamics to the mix if you've got the right downstream gear to take advantage (like the Elex or the THX AAA). I don't think audio objectivists will approve but those arguments have their limits in terms of what my ears want to hear, and what that viewpoint contributes to the conversation.
A community member
Jul 25, 2018
The_JniacThe Schiit Modi Multibit is the worst sounding DAC I've ever heard. No joke. I have CD players from the mid-1980s that sound better. I couldn't believe how utterly awful it was.
The_Jniac
322
Jul 25, 2018
You probably got a defective one. Mine sounds fine, meaning it sounds the same as my phone and my DX7s. The measurements of the multibit DACs are hilariously bad though. The Yggdrasil could not manage to stay linear beyond 16 bits. Even the Topping D30 is better. It is quite something for a DAC costing over $2000 to get kicked in the bollocks by something a small fraction of the price.
A community member
Jul 25, 2018
The_JniacBy that logic, my Magni 3 and Vali 2 must've been defective also.
mesaone
111
Aug 3, 2018
RottenRodneyRME is quality stuff. I have't used the ADI-2 DAC, but I've used the ADI-2 Pro, and currently own a UCX and Babyface (original, not Pro version).
Edit: of course, the RME stuff I own isn't necessarily aimed at the hifi or "pleasure listening" consumer - since the RME stuff I own focuses on both input and output paths, there are no doubt other contenders that focus solely on the output path (DAC only versus A/D+D/A) - but the robust drivers that RME devices share coupled with the quality of build and components are universal signs of good bang for the buck.
deharrison
33
Aug 30, 2018
djfluffkinsOppo UDP-205.
A community member
Jan 17, 2019
The_Jniacget out of here with the topping dac. we all get it. Everyone drops audioscience links like he was authority. i get the impression someone is getting Amir to peddle Chinese made garbage.
Bigbeard86
36
Jan 18, 2019
The time of Chinese making low quality products is over. It's actually the US that now has over priced and subpar quality production. In my research lab, all the highly priced American items fail consistently. We have spent tens of thousands fo dollars to repair equipment that fails...the only solution is a multi-thousand dollar service contract for each item. When chinese scientists come into the US to collaborate, they tell me of how the chinese governmemt stopped purchasing equipment from US companies due to poor quality control/ longevity, and China now makes the same equipment that is far more reliable for a fraction of the cost. Not only that - their equipment is more advanced in terms of accuracy and precision. US made products are famously known for failing...the evidence is in my own lab. You should seriously reconsider your opinion while looking at the facts.
(Edited)
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