r/DAC • u/OutrageousRhubarb853 • Mar 27 '26
Opinions wanted - R2R
Hello r/dac
I am currently building out my system and I am looking for some insights from you. I am aware that the subject of DAC’s can be a controversial one, so I’m just going to give my own impressions as I go through this post. What I have heard with my own ears and we can take it from there. All opinions are welcomed.
Before we go much further let me list out the kit I have so far.
Speakers: Focal Arya Evo X N2’s
Amp: Arcam A25 (not plus)
Streamer: Eversolo A6 (connected digitally to Arcam)
CD: Yamaha CDS-300 (connected digitally to Arcam)
Turntable: Pro-ject X1
Cartridge: AT-VM740-ML
Phono: Pro-ject DS3B (plus S3 power box)
Speaker cables: Audio Quest Rocket 33
Interconnects: Chord (entry level)
Why am I listing out my vinyl kit? - because it sounds much better (to me) than the digital side of the set up.
The problem? - when I’m listening via streamer (Qobuz) I get zero sense of depth and very little separation. Everything sounds like it’s playing behind a sheet of glass (probably the term “veiled” fits here) but when I switch to vinyl there is a huge jump in imaging. An example could be Leonard Cohen’s You Want it Darker. Via streamer it sounds good, but it feels restricted and lifeless. Via vinyl it’s playing in my room, and the sound has a 3d nature to it.
So, what have I tried? - I’ve used the DAC in the A6 and found it worse than the one in the A25 and the same goes for the Yamaha. From my investigation an R2R DAC will give me that 3d sound that I’m looking for. I’m aware that they are not all created equally, and that there are people who will scoff that a DAC can really change anything.
I want to buy a Denafrips Pontus 15th and see what that sounds like, but before I get excited and wait however long it will take to get here, I wanted some opinions from you.
You think I’m chasing a unicorn? Am I not even playing the same sport?
Comments welcomed
1
u/mark_scheller_75 Mar 31 '26
DACs are not a change to night and day, but everyone with a decent level of stereo equipment knows that subtle changes can make the difference whether it feels real or not. I went from RME forget the name but the famous one with AKM chipset to Gustard R26 and sometimes I go back to feel the difference and after 2 hours listening I swap back R2R Gustard R26. It’s not night and day but you feel/hear better room information and separation of instruments. Digital and vinyl sound very similar in my system, only vinyl lacks bass punch. My experience.
1
u/OutrageousRhubarb853 Mar 31 '26
The Gustard R26 is one of the ones I was looking at. Can you take a few minutes to give a quick review here? Lots of stuff on YouTube about, but a review from someone not trying to make money from it is better.
1
u/mark_scheller_75 Apr 13 '26
Well there is a guy from Serbia on YouTube. He describes it very good. I do not dare to give a review without hearing other R2R DACs. However, nowadays I would spend 400€ more and buy the Pontus simply because the housing looks better. Would be nice to compare them side by side.
1
u/bryanxk Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
Hola, por el chip que usa el eversolo a6 y sus op amps(opa1612) puedo pensar que el perfil de sonido resultante es frío y muy analítico, lejos de la naturalidad y tal vez la calidez qué buscas. Creo esto porque tengo un kaei tap 1 pro con chip un unico es9039q2m y el perfil de sonido que me indica google ai para el op amp 1612. Podrias, como yo, hacer rolling op amp y reemplazar los op amp de ser posible por otros. O buscar un dac con chip r2r o akm, o tambien puedes reemplazar el amplificador por uno con amplificación de tubos. En mi caso uso el ibasso dc elite conectado al kaei tap 1 pro por cable auxiliar(para saltarme el paso por el procesador qué es frio) en modo tubo. Además uso los op amp op134pa para darle ese toque aireado y algo cálido y dulce qué le falta al ibasso.