Help me choose my next DAC. (Mytek, Chord, RME, Denafrips)

Which one? Actually, I will want two. Put two responses.

  • Mytek Bridge or DAC+

    Votes: 3 17.6%

  • Chord Qutest

    Votes: 3 17.6%

  • RME ADI 2

    Votes: 4 23.5%

  • Denafrips (Pontus or Ares II)

    Votes: 12 70.6%
  • Total voters
    17
sunvalleylaw

sunvalleylaw

Addicted Member
I am upgrading my two main systems. Only interested in spending the money if I am going to get units that are better in a reasonably noticeable way than my BlueSound Node 2i (may used one new DAC outboard from the BlueSound) and my Meridian Explorer 2’s.

One is in my entertainment room which is 14 x24, and has my TV, stereo, etc. My digital sources will include the a computer via USB, or possibly a separate Raspberry Pi endpoint if I want to disconnect from the computer, and the LG TV. All manner of musical styles, save very much country. Emphasis on alternative/indie/punky/garagey rock and traditional jazz. In this room, I have been using a BlueSound Node 2i and sometimes a Meridian Explorer 2 connected to my computer. I stream mostly Tidal, often listen to the MQA (no MQA debates please) masters, Qobuz, and use Roon. I also listen to CD’s and will start adding SACD’s. The transport is a Sony DVP NS 999ES.

The other is at my office. 10 x 14, same taste, but there I listen during the work day mostly to instrumental jazz, other instrumental, ambient, etc. There, I am using another Meridian Explorer 2, connected to my computer via USB.

I don’t use headphones much. I could use the phono pre on a unit if there was one, such as on the Brooklyn. Likely at my office. I have a really good phono pre for the main home system with the better TT.

So, considering which DAC I want to step up to. I am narrowing it down to:

Mytek Brooklyn either Bridge if I save up longer or DAC+. The fact that these are now discontinued means can find one used at a price that I am willing to spend. Rep is squeaky clean, lots of features.

Chord Qutest. Seems to be reported as not as squeaky clean, very detailed.

RME ADI-2. Good feature set, reported to sound good, can be found at nearly half the Brooklyns.

Denafrips, either the Ares II, or the Pontus, as each straddles what I was hoping to spend.

And if I spent less on one vs. the other, that would be fine too. Or, I guess I could get two of the same. Though experimenting a bit with sound would not hurt my feelings.

Your votes, and thoughts on why please. I set up the poll to allow two votes, so we have weighted choice voting going here. :) Thank you very much in advance.
 
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sunvalleylaw said:
Thanks for being first to comment. I see a couple of other votes have come in. Three out of four candidates have a vote each. Can you tell me a little more what you love about it? Thanks!
Click to expand...
1. Auto-switching between the three inputs, with signal. NEVER need to manually switch between USB, CCA and Pi/Coax, my three sources.
2. I use it as a desktop preamp as well, that volume knob is great. Never have to touch the remote; other DACs I've owned required the remote.
3. Includes a great headphone amp, with both 1/4" and IEM jacks.
4. The cool METERS! ;) No other DAC IME has them.
5. German build quality, second to none.
6. Built-in 5-band parametric EQ, different EQs can be saved for each output.
7. SOTA performance. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...version-2-dac-and-headphone-amp-review.13379/
8. Excellent support. https://forum.rme-audio.de/
 
On another site I go to, someone who has listened to all of the ones I listed and was able to comment also suggested r the Matrix Audio X Sabre Pro (MQA). I will keep my eyes open for a chance to hear that one, and the rest of the others as time goes on. For right now, I found a really good deal on a used Brooklyn DAC+ such that I was able to pick it up (will arrive in a week or so) and audition it, and then sell it getting my money out of it if I don’t like it, and as said, will keep my eyes open for an opportunity to hear the Matrix Audio based on your rec, and any of the others for the second piece, as I test out the DAC+.
 
The only one on your list that I have heard is the Chord - it's a good one. I'm a sucker for the ladder DAC sound, so I'd maybe lean toward the Denafrips - BUT .... I've never heard one of their DACS. I've read a lot of glowing reviews by happy denafrips owners, but I've never heard on personally. I really like my Gumby and I've "heard" no reason to switch to anything else as of yet. I will say that if I had cash to throw for grins (and I don't) - I'd get a Chord DAVE.
 
Poultrygeist said:
What I hear from the SMSL SU-9 is detail I haven't heard before. The clarity is breathtaking.
Click to expand...
As it should be. It measures extremely well, far better than the limits of human hearing, therefore will be transparent.

When you're at this level of performance, the real choice comes down to features. For me, there's no comparison with the RME feature-wise, for my requirements. YMMV. I DO love that the SMSL has a built-in power supply, vs the RME's wall wart.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-su-9-balanced-dac-review.16150/
 
sunvalleylaw said:
I am upgrading my two main systems. Only interested in spending the money if I am going to get units that are better in a reasonably noticeable way than my BlueSound Node 2i (may used one new DAC outboard from the BlueSound) and my Meridian Explorer 2’s.

One is in my entertainment room which is 14 x24, and has my TV, stereo, etc. My digital sources will include the a computer via USB, or possibly a separate Raspberry Pi endpoint if I want to disconnect from the computer, and the LG TV. All manner of musical styles, save very much country. Emphasis on alternative/indie/punky/garagey rock and traditional jazz. In this room, I have been using a BlueSound Node 2i and sometimes a Meridian Explorer 2 connected to my computer. I stream mostly Tidal, often listen to the MQA (no MQA debates please) masters, Qobuz, and use Roon. I also listen to CD’s and will start adding SACD’s. The transport is a Sony DVP NS 999ES.

The other is at my office. 10 x 14, same taste, but there I listen during the work day mostly to instrumental jazz, other instrumental, ambient, etc. There, I am using another Meridian Explorer 2, connected to my computer via USB.

I don’t use headphones much. I could use the phono pre on a unit if there was one, such as on the Brooklyn. Likely at my office. I have a really good phono pre for the main home system with the better TT.

So, considering which DAC I want to step up to. I am narrowing it down to:

Mytek Brooklyn either Bridge if I save up longer or DAC+. The fact that these are now discontinued means can find one used at a price that I am willing to spend. Rep is squeaky clean, lots of features.

Chord Qutest. Seems to be reported as not as squeaky clean, very detailed.

RME ADI-2. Good feature set, reported to sound good, can be found at nearly half the Brooklyns.

Denafrips, either the Ares II, or the Pontus, as each straddles what I was hoping to spend.

And if I spent less on one vs. the other, that would be fine too. Or, I guess I could get two of the same. Though experimenting a bit with sound would not hurt my feelings.

Your votes, and thoughts on why please. I set up the poll to allow two votes, so we have weighted choice voting going here. :) Thank you very much in advance.
Click to expand...

Owned the Ares II for a year and a half and just upgraded to the Pontus II. As I have written in other places, "stunning" was my description for the Ares II having never heard an external DAC in my system previously. When I played the Pontus II two weeks ago for the first time, the word "gorgeous" popped into my head. By the way my room dimensions are very similar to yours. Denafrips does not decode MQA and I personally could care less as 24/96-24/192 is enough for me by far.
 
I bought a RME ADI 2 in june, I have Hegel and Chord Qutest and trust me the RME is a fantastic DAC at his price.
 
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