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I have been unsuccessfully searching for a list of high-performance* commercial DACs that allow user to bypass digital filtering (NOS), leaving that task to a software music player such as HQ Player. It would be interesting if we could compile such a list in this thread. * - no TDA1543-based DACs please, only equipment that can take 24bit and sampling rates above 176.4/192kHz.

Hello - I am interested in purchasing a new R2R DAC. Have a few general questions for those that have already made a purchase and use them in their systems: 1. Which R2R DAC did you choose and are you happy with your choice? 2. Did you buy a NOS R2R DAC? 3. Thoughts on the discrete vs. chip based approach to the design? 3. If you could get any R2R DAC what would you get? Currently looking at a Mojo Audio and Schiit DACs. Holo Springs and Aqua were also mentioned as options to conider. Having read a few threads on this there are definielly many opinions on this approach and are not looking to start controversy. These are questions from someone who is truly interested in R2R. If you do not like the R2R approach I appreciate that but would like to keep the responses focused if possible. Thanks for the responses

Hello everyone, This is my first post here so I don't know if this is the right place to ask. I decided to upgrade my old DAC Fostex Hp-a3 because some problem with Bug head SQ. I love the sweet mids. and vocal sounding of the TDA1543 and my budget is about $400-$500. I'm currently undecided between:Scott Nixon TD2.2 and Teradak chameleon and my current city doesn't have any of those so most likely this will be a blind buy . What is you guys' opinion about the mini max dac tube mode should I save for it? Because, tbh I don't really like the sabre ess sounding that much, I still prefer AKM and gud ol' NOS dac like TDA. Thanks. P/s: idk y I feel comfortable when asking in this forum, unlike some other like headfi, changstar. May be It's the love for NOS

Hello. Like many of you (perhaps) I am looking for a DAC. I'm quite interested in NOS DACS, but I'm not 100% sure this is the way to go. I am also looking to replace my Squeezebox with a better file player. 99% of my music collection is 16/44.1 RIPS of my 2000+ CDs. These live on a NAS. So I am primarily looking for something very musical and engaging to listen through. I have recently purchased a Eastern Electric minimax CD player and I am impressed by how much better this player sounds than my file player / DAC. My current system: Line Magnetic 518ia, Harbeth P3ESR, Eastern Electric minimax CD player, (will skip the analog front end), Squeezebox Touch with CIAudio power supply, and a CIAudio VDA2 DAC, (will skip all the cables)... So, I'm interested in hearing from people with a similar kind of set up that might have an opinion on a DAC / File player upgrade. DACs I am considering : Metrum Octave, Audio Note kits, Wavelength Brick v2 & v3, MHDT Havana, MHDT Stockholm, DB Audio Tranquility, Eastern Electric minimax & PLUS, Line Magnetic 502CA. File players I am considering : SOTM sms-100, Auraliti 90 or 100, the new Auralic aries. The last piece of this puzzle would be either USB player, SPDIF player or a USB player with an SPDIF convertor ahead of the DAC. I am very curious to hear any others who have discovered a great solution along these lines. As you can see my price point is sub-$2000 for the DAC and around $1000 for the player. I am not opposed to picking up DACS on the used market either. Thank you all in advance.