The DAC Advice Thread

SMSL D400EX is garbage?
I was stupid enough to believe the advertisements and YouTube "reviewers" and bought the "top" SMSL. “The latest and greatest chip set. Musical, soft, fluid sound.” Right?
Bullshit!
The resolution is good, I admit. But the sound is sharp, digital, lifeless, tasteless, fatiguing. Bass is too dominant, treble is metallic, pain for the ear. I dare say even the SU-1 sounds better than this. For the fraction of money.

I am done with this overadvertised brands (SMSL, Topping, Gustard).
What should I buy instead?
What is important: realistic sounding, very good timbre, not congested, not sibilant, can handle busy passages. Budget around 1.5k euros/usd WITH headamp (synergestic wit the dac). New or used.
What is your suggestions for both?

 

Going to be difficult to find a DAC/Amp that meets those requirements. To me, the amp is way more important than the DAC. That said, there is a new amp that is out that accepts a DAC card, either the ESS card or the multibit card. However, it will meet the criteria for around $750 US, not sure how much that is in Euro's.

https://nitschsound.com/products/pietus-maximus?variant=44126612816026

 

Since you're in the EU, how about checking out Meier Audio or Violectric?

You might be able to snag a used Meier Corda Soul within your budget, or there are several Violectrics that have a built-in dac option as well.

 

I second the Meier Audio suggestion. The Soul is quite a bit more expensive than 1.5k€, but the Daccord (DAC) plus Jazz (amp) is a spectacular combination, especially given that it’s only € 800,– altogether. See also my reviews of the two here on SBAF:

Daccord FF: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/meier-corda-daccord-ff-impressions.12898/
Jazz FF: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/meier-corda-jazz-ff-impressions.12899/

 

If I want the sound of a Gungnir Multibit A1 (tonally dense/strong note weight, realistic timbre, excellent spatial qualities, big dynamics) with more detail and better blackground, is Yggdrasil A2 my best bet? Anything else I should be considering up to $1600? I am seeing used Yggdrasil A2s going for $1600 and can probably find one lower if I’m patient.

 

I've seem them sell on the used market around that price, like this one from earlier this year: https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/meier-corda-soul.46312/

But yeah, start with the Daccord and Jazz and maybe consider the Soul as an upgrade later on if he likes the sound.

 

Yes. This is exactly what I heard from that upgrade. Plus even more expansive soundstage in all directions.

 

Yggdrasil A2 is also correction to some of the weirdness in the upper mids/highs I feel like I heard sometimes on Gungnir MB A1. You will not look back. It's the perfection of that signature.

 

@Merrick What looks like an A2 (and I think Gen 5 USB?) is up on USAM for $1250 - listing last edited about a month ago though, so you would need to ask if still available:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650030734-schitt-yggdrasil-dac/

 

I saw that! New account with no feedback though.

 

Any thoughts on an inexpensive ($300-or-less new/used?) DAC with good timbre and tonal saturation? Slammy and dynamic would be the second ask. Spatial presentation is less important (doesn't matter much to me with headphones,) just give me enough layer separation to not get congested on complex stuff and I'll be happy.

Since Gungnir MB A1 is a reference, I could just do a Modi MB ... but thought I'd explore other options. Really wishing I hadn't let the Airist R2R go a few years ago. (I bought before I knew it was plagiarized, honest!) Maybe a Modius E to shake things up? What else should I be considering?

Source will be Pi2AES, amp might just end up being a Piety or maybe my WHAMMY if I can un-lend it. Headphones will vary -- I'm not in love with anything right now -- and at the moment I've got stock HD650, Grado RS2e, Modhouse Argon, and I'm soon to get the ETA Ada loaner.

 

I’d recommend the Bifrost2 OG or the Zen DAC Signature. Both are slammy and dynamic DACs but the BF2 would take the cake for timbre, stage and many other aspects. ZDS would be a bit more grainy, smaller stage, less realism etc.

Both have a bit of treble issues. Bf2 is a bit edgy in the lower treble, whereas the ZDS is a bit glarey in the upper treble.