R2R dac vs. Delta Sigma type dac

Conradicles · January 27

Can anyone suggest some budget R2R DAC's?

I would like to perform a shoot out in home.

billbillw · January 27

Conradicles wrote: »

Can anyone suggest some budget R2R DAC's?

I would like to perform a shoot out in home.

What do you consider "budget?" The Denafrips Ares II can now be found for $500 or less. Some consider that an excellent starting point, or even a good enough ending point...me included.
Edit: the II version is probably still closer to $500.

heiney9 · January 27

Conradicles wrote: »

Can anyone suggest some budget R2R DAC's?

I would like to perform a shoot out in home.

The FiiO Warmer in this thread is $334 with discount. How much more budget?

Or

This is also excellent.

https://www.fiio.com/k11r2r

It has a walwart which can compromise sound.

Or

https://www.fiio.com/k13r2r

H9

treitz3 · January 27

audioluvr wrote: »

treitz3 wrote: »

Technical babble aside? Just listen and trust your ears.

Tom

Tom. Are you feeling okay?

Not confronting....but what was meant by this statement? All I am saying is that I could care less about build quality and technical babble....all I care about is the end result as to what hits my ears. This statement has been true on this forum and others since almost (or well over) 2 decades ago.

So, am I feeling okay? You bet.

Tom

invalid · January 28

billbillw wrote: »

Conradicles wrote: »

Can anyone suggest some budget R2R DAC's?

I would like to perform a shoot out in home.

What do you consider "budget?" The Denafrips Ares II can now be found for $500 or less. Some consider that an excellent starting point, or even a good enough ending point...me included.
Edit: the II version is probably still closer to $500.

The Denafrips DAC's are definitely good bang for the buck. There are better sounding DAC's but at much higher prices.

heiney9 · January 29

Glad I ordered mine when I did.

Note (updated Jan 26, 4:30pm PT): Orders placed before today are on track to be fulfilled on or before Feb 7, 2026. All orders placed after this note will be part of the next production batch with an estimated fulfillment timeline of end of April 2026.

I bought more tubes for it too.

I am not totally familair with the ECC88/6DJ8 tubes. I do know there are some construction differences for Philips made tubes. There is the getter on a single post and halo, then there is the "A" frame that centers the getter (which is usually a solid disc with dimples around the edge).

What is the difference in sound? In all other Philips tubes the dimple getter tube are usually made in the mid to late 70's. A much newer tube than the small or large halo getter.

Is the A frame style worth getting if one already has the singl post large halo getter ECC88. Both tubes are from the Heerlen Holland plant.

H9

pitdogg2 · January 29

IIRC @marvda1 liked the 7dj8 over the 6dj8. Hopefully he'll comment in the thread.
All the 6dj8 i have tested or held all had the A-frame design. Out there looking for fun it seemed that the oldest had the single wire getter. You know that most seimens tubes had the 2 post getters, I never noticed a difference between them and the single post getter.
Then we have Bob Carver who really liked the 6922 tube over the 6dj8, for whatever reasons.

heiney9 · January 29

It seems a long time ago when I was doing some research for my brother for his Dodd pre-amp, which used 6DJ8's, the A frame and something to do with the grid came later like early 70's. Specifically in Amperex tubes. I can't swear to that. I guess the idea was less noise and microphonics.

Doesn't the 7DJ8 have a different heater current?

I bought a quad of high testing pulls from Textronics scopes. Amperex Bugle Boy ECC88/6DJ8's with large halo (single) post dates are 62 & 63.

I am looking at (5) Philips labeled ECC88 w/ A frame and dimple disc getter. Probably not enough difference in sound to "need" both types.

Here's a better graphic and explanation

https://vintagetubeservices.com/amperex-products-tour/

mhardy6647 · January 29

heiney9 wrote: »

It seems a long time ago when I was doing some research for my brother for his Dodd pre-amp, which used 6DJ8's, the A frame and something to do with the grid came later like early 70's. Specifically in Amperex tubes. I can't swear to that. I guess the idea was less noise and microphonics.

Doesn't the 7DJ8 have a different heater current?
...

Assumung the TDSL synopses are accurate (I didn't look at primary references)
2.28 watts for the 7DJ8 heater power rating
2.30 watts for the 6DJ8 heater power rating

Clipdat · January 30

I sold both of the R2R DACs that I had, the Border Patrol SE-i and the Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1. I just didn't care for them, and in the case of the Denafrips, it was actually physically uncomfortable for my ears to listen to and made them feel fatigued.

I guess it just goes to show that we all hear differently. My ears have no issues with other DACs like my RME ADI-2, Marantz SA-KI Ruby, Auralic Vega G1, Cambridge MXN10, etc.

treitz3 · January 30

Damn.

Tom

dromunds · January 30

I always used 6922 or 7308, it’s been awhile but iirc there were some specific 7308’s that I really liked. They were pricier of course. If you wish I’ll go look at my stash and let you know. Same with 6922’s. I have some of those 6DJ8 A-frames but I don’t remember much about them but my recollection is the specific 6922 and 7308’s I have were far superior

billbillw · January 30

I cannot fathom a Pontus II-12th being uncomfortable to listen to. I wonder if there was a problem with the unit. But for sure, everyone has different hearing and preferences.

Clipdat · January 30

You can fathom it, because it happened. There was nothing wrong with the unit, I bought it from the original owner and the person I sold it to was thrilled with the performance

The only "problem with the unit" is that it wasn't physically compatible with my ears.

billbillw · January 30

You experienced it, so you can fathom it. I wasn't there, so I cannot. Sorry it didn't work out for you. Otherwise, that model has almost universal praise for its natural sound.

heiney9 · February 9

I've been informed that my unit will not be available until the end of April. They initially expected 250 units to fulfill orders made up to January 26th. Of which mine should have been included. They only received 68 units from FiiO. They can't seem to make them fast enough.

My choice is to wait until end of April and today I'll receive a 10% credit for the inconvenience. Or, cancel my order for a full refund.

Apos had the best price at $349 plus 5% off (knew ahead of time about the Feb 7th ship date). Total price was $331 and free shipping. Pretty good deal.

What to do?

H9

pitdogg2 · February 9

Wait, take advantage of the 10% discount. Trust me you will not die from the wait😉

heiney9 · February 9

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Wait, take advantage of the 10% discount. Trust me you will not die from the wait😉

That's what I'm going to do.

Good thing this arrives tomorrow...........this time of year I'm cooped up and I have these impulses to buy stuff I really don't need.

But this piqued my interest enough to use as a pre-amp/dac in the office rig at a killer price. I am starting to accumulate a lot of gear. Going to have pick a couple favorites and move the rest along.

https://hifigo.com/blogs/review/xduoo-ta-30-quick-review-rich-and-lush-tubes?srsltid=AfmBOorKssIGPOx8kdB179Tgy-Arntt6X7bOwlXJG0OlYpfs3LudsCx7

I have plenty of 12AU7's and variants. And I LOVE tube rectified gear. I have a few to fit this as well.

Great non r2r dac also.

We'll see if it lives up to the hype (as a pre amp) Elna Silmic II audio-grade caps are everywhere together with Nichicon FW caps, all sourced from Japan. xDuoo even developed their own metal polyester film caps that are working as coupling caps for the tube stage

H9

heiney9 · February 9

The above was a total impulse buy. I kind of regret it, but not too much as it's NIB and I got a great deal.

My real target was a Schiit Valhalla 2 OTL headphone amp/pre-amp. I missed out on 2 units over the weekend by a hair on each one.

Still looking for one to see what the OTL sound is about through a tubed pre-amp. So, I was disappointed and I found and did a little research on the above and it's arriving tomorrow.

I really need to put a lock on impulse ordering.

H9

EndersShadow · February 9

heiney9 wrote: »

I am starting to accumulate a lot of gear. Going to have pick a couple favorites and move the rest along.

That’s what I’m waiting for.

The culling of Brocks gear 🤣

HzTweaker · February 10

heiney9 wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Wait, take advantage of the 10% discount. Trust me you will not die from the wait😉

That's what I'm going to do.

Good thing this arrives tomorrow...........this time of year I'm cooped up and I have these impulses to buy stuff I really don't need.

But this piqued my interest enough to use as a pre-amp/dac in the office rig at a killer price. I am starting to accumulate a lot of gear. Going to have pick a couple favorites and move the rest along.

https://hifigo.com/blogs/review/xduoo-ta-30-quick-review-rich-and-lush-tubes?srsltid=AfmBOorKssIGPOx8kdB179Tgy-Arntt6X7bOwlXJG0OlYpfs3LudsCx7

I have plenty of 12AU7's and variants. And I LOVE tube rectified gear. I have a few to fit this as well.

Great non r2r dac also.

We'll see if it lives up to the hype (as a pre amp) Elna Silmic II audio-grade caps are everywhere together with Nichicon FW caps, all sourced from Japan. xDuoo even developed their own metal polyester film caps that are working as coupling caps for the tube stage

H9

What are the curvy things on each side of the tubes? I can't find any literature that says, maybe just aesthetics?

mhardy6647 · February 10

HzTweaker wrote: »

heiney9 wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Wait, take advantage of the 10% discount. Trust me you will not die from the wait😉

That's what I'm going to do.

Good thing this arrives tomorrow...........this time of year I'm cooped up and I have these impulses to buy stuff I really don't need.

But this piqued my interest enough to use as a pre-amp/dac in the office rig at a killer price. I am starting to accumulate a lot of gear. Going to have pick a couple favorites and move the rest along.

https://hifigo.com/blogs/review/xduoo-ta-30-quick-review-rich-and-lush-tubes?srsltid=AfmBOorKssIGPOx8kdB179Tgy-Arntt6X7bOwlXJG0OlYpfs3LudsCx7

I have plenty of 12AU7's and variants. And I LOVE tube rectified gear. I have a few to fit this as well.

Great non r2r dac also.

We'll see if it lives up to the hype (as a pre amp) Elna Silmic II audio-grade caps are everywhere together with Nichicon FW caps, all sourced from Japan. xDuoo even developed their own metal polyester film caps that are working as coupling caps for the tube stage

H9

What are the curvy things on each side of the tubes? I can't find any literature that says, maybe just aesthetics?

Just for looks... like parsley.

heiney9 · February 10

Aesthetics and tube guard. Some reviewers left them on some off.

H9

invalid · February 10

Parsley is actually a post-meal breath freshener and palate cleanser.

HzTweaker · February 10

Got it. I couldn't tell by the pic but they appeared to have 1/8 inch jacks on the ends of them.

R2R dac vs. Delta Sigma type dac

Comments