RME ADI-2 DAC

I have some time now and it's well past FOTM stage so I won't be raining on anyone's parade. I accept this offer.

 

LOL. I was actually going to recommend that.

@svperstar:

I am assuming that you like the sound of the SDAC, the resolution, and the tonal balance, compared to the Modi Multibit. I don't remember if it was you, but I had a conversation with someone about the SDAC being more resolving than the Modi Multibit, which is something that I agree with.

First of all, I will say that the higher-line Schiit DACs, especially the Gungnir "A2" Multibit, sounds nothing at all like the Modi Multibit. Its tonal balance isn't dark and it resolves as good or better than anything out there. But fine if you wish to avoid all @schiit DACs because they are popular, and you feel that you would be a total boob if you even considered Schiit.

Now as far as a true upgrade to the SDAC, the RME ain't it because its strengths are its pro features: IO routing (its specialty), AD converter, DSP EQ stereo width, RTA display, balanced head-out, etc. These features and the firmware to run them cost a lot of money for R&D, more than a simple solid DAC layout. That's a ton of features crammed into a box - something's gotta give.

Again, assuming the first paragraph is more or less true, consider the following DACs below. These are on my list because they are resolving and don't have the Modi Multibit's slightly dark tonal balance. All the recommendations below will have more slam / stronger attack and will be more extended at the extremes than the SDAC with the exception of those DACs that like the SDAC, use the new velvet-glove AKM chips.

• The comments are in relation to the SDAC and not to each other unless explicitly mentioned as such.
• No R2R DACs are mentioned for the following reasons:
  • The NOS variants will have not the expansive stage are you used to with the SDAC.
  • Most R2R DACs will sound dark or organic or rolled off up top compared to the SDAC.
  • Most R2R DACs will not resolve as well as the SDAC, especially the discrete resistor ladder stuff.
  • You don't want to be one of those boobs with multi-bit DACs. Since the world seemed fine until @baldr came out with multi-bit DACs, and all of a sudden, nobody in the world wants an S-D DAC, but a multi-bit DAC instead.
  • And then @soekris came out with a roll-your-own discrete ladder DAC board, and all of a sudden, nobody in the world wants a chip-based DAC, but a discrete ladder DAC. And people are so desperate that they would consider crappy Chi-Fi implementations of such.
• S-D DACs that hurt my ears or have strange timbre are not mentioned since the SDAC is actually very good about not hurting my ears.

Bricasti M1 Gold (per above photo) or M1 (standard edition)
Less contrasty more nuanced version of Convert-2 below. "Cinema" mode version of the Convert-2's "vivid".
Has undergone several revisions and from what I understand, "more analog-like" than when I heard it years ago.
One of my favorite S-D DAC regardless.

Dangerous Music Convert-2
Immensely powerful sound, attacks, slam, bass, etc.
Maybe a nick less resolving, wide wrap-around stage.
Purer timbre, less grainy.
The downside is balanced outputs.

Dangerous Music Source
Stronger impacts and attacks throughout, more present bass, slightly less resolution, less expansive.
Less grainy, but slight bit of veil.
Solid HP out makes for a very good AIO since great deals can be had used.
The downside is balanced outputs.
Probably more of a sidegrade if you like the SDAC's presentation.

PSA DirectStream
More resolving, less grainy, smoother, and has a similar dynamic presentation.
Like all other PSA products, has gone through several firmware revisions that change the sound a little.

Solaris Crane Song
Uses AKM chip from the same family so very similar presentation as SDAC.
More extended up top. More resolving and more outright detailed than SDAC.
An extremely expansive and deep stage with very good localization - one of the best I've heard.
The downside is balanced outputs.
The upside is excellent HP out that synergizes with the DAC - makes for a great AIO.

McIntosh MCD550
More than you need, because it's a CD/SACD player too, but the DAC section is solid.
A super resolving implementation of the ESS Sabre that doesn't sound screwed up.
Reminds me of something that is in between the PSA and Bricasti.

Chord DAVE
What the heck? Gives you bragging rights at HF.
HP outs don't do it justice.

Are you truly ready for this? You don't need to spend $50k. But be prepared for $2.5 to $8k, and make sure your choice is smart.