Read a great review in the current Stereophile, comparing this DAC, particularly in NOS mode, to several popular Delta Sigma DAC's, including another R-2R DAC.
While I haven't listen to these particular DAC's. I have found a similar experience in comparing the NOS Project DAC Box S FL, MUSE NOS TDA 1543x4, and the French battery NOS ladder DAC's to some pretty good DS based DAC's, and a few popular R-2R DAC's. By a slight margin, the Project sounds the best. Fine details, and a more natural flow. (All require at least a hour warmup to sound their best.) However, I have a Muse 4x1543 board I plan on experimenting with better supporting parts on, particularly the output caps.
I have to agree, I don't think it's the ladder chip, in so much is it enables you to, if you choose, eliminate any over sampling/digital filtering, and it's drawbacks.
Of course a lot of this can surely be a matter of taste. But it explains for me in my personal experience why I could not fully enjoy on a regular basis, DS DAC's or non NOS R-2R Dac's.
I totally agree with the glass wall description.
It would be a very interesting listen to compare the Holoaudio Spring DAC, in NOS, to my current stable of NOS DAC's.
It may be worth saving my penny's up for.
http://www.sakurasystems.com/articles/Non-oversampling-DAC.html
While I haven't listen to these particular DAC's. I have found a similar experience in comparing the NOS Project DAC Box S FL, MUSE NOS TDA 1543x4, and the French battery NOS ladder DAC's to some pretty good DS based DAC's, and a few popular R-2R DAC's. By a slight margin, the Project sounds the best. Fine details, and a more natural flow. (All require at least a hour warmup to sound their best.) However, I have a Muse 4x1543 board I plan on experimenting with better supporting parts on, particularly the output caps.
I have to agree, I don't think it's the ladder chip, in so much is it enables you to, if you choose, eliminate any over sampling/digital filtering, and it's drawbacks.
Of course a lot of this can surely be a matter of taste. But it explains for me in my personal experience why I could not fully enjoy on a regular basis, DS DAC's or non NOS R-2R Dac's.
I totally agree with the glass wall description.
It would be a very interesting listen to compare the Holoaudio Spring DAC, in NOS, to my current stable of NOS DAC's.
It may be worth saving my penny's up for.
http://www.sakurasystems.com/articles/Non-oversampling-DAC.html
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