Massdrop RDAC Airist Audio R2-R DAC

Who remembers that episode of Nothern Exposure where someone (I don't remember who) breaks the bottle of Chateau Latour and then the other lady recreates it out of ordinary wine just by adding different stuff. No one was the wiser. Love that show.

 

At least with micro-usb there are always a dozen within arm's reach, whereas mini and B result in furious searches of cable boxes followed by an Amazon order.

 

Finally got a chance to verify the firmware that was installed in my comparison ... both Soekris units were on 1.2.

 

Does the RDAC need to be running for an eternity to start sounding good or will it sound good on startup? Tried a search for warm up time but got nothing.

 

Half an hour or so is fine. Didn't change noticeably after that. This was after the initial power-on time (a minimum of 72 hours) I give all DACs before doing any kind of serious listening.

In general I'm inclined to just leave all DACs powered on 24/7.

 

Massdrop has relisted the drop until August:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-airist-audio-r-2r-dac

 

I still think this is the best bet, DAC wise, until you get up to things like the RME ADI-2 DAC, Soekris dac1421 or the Holo Audio CYAN. Though, that said, I have not heard a recently purchased Schiit DAC, other than the Yggdrasil Analog 2/USB Gen 5 ...

 

Delivery slipped 2 mths... Now feb

 

For this drop. Original orders from the first drop still show the original shipping date.

 

That's good to hear, but I'm still done financing development of new products. I'll wait until it becomes a stock Massdrop Made item (or I'll have moved on to something else in 6 mths).

MD really needs to figure out a way to bring down the delivery time... 3 mths is about as long as I'm willing to go these days.

 

I can't argue with the sentiment.

Some of these things simply won't come to fruition without this sort of model, however. So unless some number of people are willing to deal with it, you'd have to buy something else anyway. The runs are simply far too small to get either component inventory* or manufacturing slot priority - even (in fact especially) in China.

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There's an article I wanted to write that'd require buying the SDAC. That's long-since dropped. Hasn't been re-dropped though - the official line being that it's down to parts availability. And absent paying a relatively significant premium for one, they're not really showing up used either.

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But, yes, lots can happen in 6 months.

Schiit could come up with a new version of Modi MB. Soekris could figure out how to sell the dac1421 for $500 (not holding my breath, and I already prefer the RDAC to the dac1321). Holo Audio could put out a much-simplified, DAC-only, version of the CYAN, in very basic casing (don't see that happening).

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*(Go try and buy the precise components you need per Schiit's BoM for the Coaster Amp ... and you'll find your'e looking at a 3-4 month wait for some very basic parts).

 

What I don't get is that MD is already basically committed at this point... they have to manufacture a certain quantity (presumably 1,000). MD is no longer a fledgling startup, and I would think they would be able to handle waiting to open the drop until they get closer to the delivery date. Another option would be like they did with the Elex... open at 6 mths, then continue to open as they get closer to the date (not moving the delivery date).

But I've introduced too much noise into this thread already... moving on...

 

I jumped on the train based on this thread info... hope the long wait pays off.

 

Sorry, just saw this post. SDAC is open again, but only for another 2 hours

 

Just received an email update from Massdrop stating this is delayed with the anticipated shipping date in May. I guess the units were not meeting the QC standards. That's.. disappointing.

 

Yup... highly disappointing. At least they're allowing us to cancel orders, which I'm leaning on doing. It's not very encouraging for a DAC's reliability or quality to be called into question.

 

Just cancelled, that's ridiculous. Now to find something else to replace the Modi MB.

 

At least they're letting people know and getting your money back. Didn't happen with the EC amps.

 

I'm getting close to be able to offer a DAC using the Soekris discrete R-2R tech at the USD 350 price point.... Not a copy of anything than my own designs, and no need for preordering. The design is done, currently waiting for prototypes....

 

I guess I'm lucky. The RDAC is planned for a future project, so I won't need it right now. Still, it is disappointing. I hope that they will make sure the quality is right, even if its late. I'm guessing they are having to rework or redo a major part of the board if it is taking them 5 or 6 months to correct.

Meanwhile, Soren option or the Metrum Flint for $140 more seem reasonable.