Sparkler Audio Model S306 Pascal USB/AC

I've never been a DAC guy and have very limited experience with source material in comparison with the majority of hardcores here. So take my opinion with caution.

VK's wonder doesn't stop here and I got my paws onto the Sparkler Audio model S306 Pascal. Short introduction: R2R NOS DAC utilizing a TDA1543 chip. The crystal oscillator is custom made in Japan. According to VK there is a deluxe version which utilize a 10A battery pack which is supposed to be quieter, but here we have a USB version with an AC adaptor.



The size of this DAC is small! When it plugs into the AC adaptor it glows slightly gold. A very very nice presentation.

The sound, vs coaxial Gungnir Multibit, WASAPI event, sampling 16 bits, Schiit Sys used, cheapo PYST/similar quality RCA cables:

Early impressions:
- The Pascal has a distinctive rich and smooth sound! It trades off overall stage size (particularly in depth and height) and air for a richer presentation. It seems to be a distinctive feature of R2R?
- Body articulation of notes are a hair better than Gungnir Multibit - a huge surprise for me. Gungnir Multibit in comparison has a sharper articulation in general, which seems to gain edge in plankton department. The Pascal note presentation reminds me of Sony organic shit. The end result - a warmer sound than Gungnir Multibit. Some may find it crossing the line of the narrow "neutral".
- Both are able to extract the bad elements from recordings.
- Both are non-bright.
- Although the Pascal appears to be blacker, the end result is that the clarity is still not to Gungnir Multibit level.

TBC...