Submitted by hurtyewh t3_121eufv in headphones
covertash t1_jdnfz1f wrote
The benefit of R2R DAC's is less about the discrete components, and more about the ability for the manufacturer to create their own custom filters, as opposed to using the ones that are readily available by the chip makers. This is also why the stereotype/myth that all R2R DAC's being inherently "warm", across the board, is untrue. Some are, some aren't.
If you happen to have used a DAC that offers adjustable filters, you may find that the differences are quite subtle, so if you already have a hard time discerning these changes in sound, you may want to spend your money elsewhere.
With that said, if R2R is what you are after, make sure you research the exact one you want, rather than picking one up just for the sake of having one.
Edit: For some additional context.
Here is a fairly recent interview of Jason Stoddard of Schiit Audio answering the question about why discrete DAC's make a difference with layering, staging:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzVb6LWtV9Q&t=830s
Separately, here are my impressions of the Schiit Bifrost 2, from over 2 years ago before the above interview took place:
> The Bifrost 2 sounds like a 2-3 dB low shelf filter has been applied, except it's not as heavy-handed and blunt as your average headphone EQ profile. Whatever the DAC's filter is doing, it is doing it in a much more precise manner that doesn't cause the bass elevation to unnecessarily bleed into the mids, and can be consistently heard across all of my headphones, in the limited "blind" testing that I have done. What cannot be EQ-ed is the way sound now has a semblance of layering and depth, and it's no longer just a flat "wall of sound", although it is much more obvious with some headphones over others. With that said, bass notes have much more nuance now than I was able to easily perceive previously. Perhaps this is the better time domain performance that R2R DAC's seem to excel in, but all I can say is that it is markedly and obviously different - I leave it up to you to decide if it is necessarily better.
hurtyewh OP t1_jdni8i7 wrote
I can hear differences in some filters, but I don't find them better or worse in any usually just different. If it is so that purposeful coloration is the only way high end DACs offer something soundwise then that makes sense. Like Naim power amps etc have a very distinct sound which works pretty well regardless of genre if a tight, punchy, energetic sound is what one is after. If some R2R DACs offer filters that artificially, but functionally improve separation, soundstage etc without being a detriment in most music then I wouldn't mind trying that out.
covertash t1_jdnj9ah wrote
>If some R2R DACs offer filters that artificially, but functionally improve separation, soundstage etc without being a detriment in most music then I wouldn't mind trying that out.
For the above criteria, take a look at the DAC's from Denafrips, like the Ares II, now known as Enyo. I don't have personal experiences with their products, but when I was researching and considering them, these are the general impressions that were consistently conveyed - with the caveat that many report more pronounced results with speakers, rather than headphones.
hurtyewh OP t1_jdnntnn wrote
Ares II was high on my list since the price is not so extravagant and many sing it's praises. Need to read more.
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