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RE: New DAC Suggestions

I recently sold my Marantz SA-11S3 CD/SACD player because there is now an inexpensive way to play SACDs thru an external DAC. Previously you could buy a Geer Fab D.BOB to do this ($800 - $1000) but now there's a Chinese made "black box" available on eBay for about $50 - $100 that will do the same and more.

The above was for background info, now to answer your question. I have been researching DACs in the $1500 - $3000 range, maybe even more. These include (listed in increasing price order) the Gustard X26 Pro ($1500), Denafrips Pontus II ($1700), Holo Audio Spring 3 ($2800) and Denafrips Venus II ($3000).

For the past week or so, I have been reading every review and discussion that I could find related to the DACs listed above. I was a little biased against the Gustard because I wanted a R2R based DAC. However, based on my listening preferences and the descriptions of the DACs, I just ordered a X26 Pro. FWIW, here's a fantastic review of it:

Gustard X26 Pro Review

When you read the reviews/discussions, along with all of the good stuff, there's always some attributes of the DAC under discussion that is not as good as DAC XYZ. IOWs, no DAC is perfect. But we don't need a perfect DAC, just one that is good enough. That thought is the overall message of a YouTube video reviewing the $4500 TOTL Holo Audio May DAC (see link below). This is a very long, over 50 minutes, video that is well worth watching. Even if you have to break it up into 10 minute segments or skip some parts. It's more hilarious by the minute (especially the last 20 minutes) and puts things into perspective.

I had already made up my mind on the X26 Pro before I watched the video. However, I felt good buying the least expensive of the DACs under consideration after viewing it. Also, with the pace of technology, do you really want to spend several to many thousands of dollars on a DAC?

Gerry


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