Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 (edited) Hi all, I'm currently exploring some R2R dac options (with internal volume control) to compliment my Delta Sigma dac RME ADI2 fs. The RME is great, especially for electronica, however I would very much like a second R2R option for a more natural tone/presentation. I have previously owned TDA1541 DAC's, and heard one or two PCM56/PCM1702's Dac's, so I was thinking a vintage (Burr Brown) chipset or custom R2R resistor DAC might be a great place to start. My setup is: RPI4/Pi2AES HAT> SPDIF> RME ADI>FIRSTWATT F7> SPEAKERS I currently use the RME as my preamp, and I would prefer not to need one for the R2R option. Does anyone have any suggestions? I found the Soekris line of R2R's which offer internal volume control, should I consider any other brands? http://www.soekris.dk/products.html I'm honestly surprised the Denafrips and Holo models typically don't offer this. Although I did see the Holo Cyan model has in built volume control, but that's a lower performance model. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-holo-audio-cyan-dsd-dac.6992/ Voltage is too low for the Fristwatt F7, which needs 2.7V for max output. Firstwatt F7 specs (Noting the RME has heaps of headroom to drive this amplifier): My other option is to suck it up and grab a passive preamp like the Lightspeed attenuator or a simple potentiometer. Any thoughts are welcome. On a side note: I have a friend that purchased this DAC, he reports the DAC to sound excellent, he upgraded the board with PCM56k chips: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001914143279.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.7b1e7e55lKtclk&algo_pvid=37066605-931d-43d7-b3b8-0f762de080f5&algo_expid=37066605-931d-43d7-b3b8-0f762de080f5-3&btsid=0bb0623916166347358422215ec12b&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_ But no volume control.... Thanks Steve Edited April 2, 2021 by Grizaudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbz127 Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Depending on budget the audio-gd r27/r8 would do what you want and the 2021 model has a great usb implementation should that be of use down the track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 39 minutes ago, barbz127 said: Depending on budget the audio-gd r27/r8 would do what you want and the 2021 model has a great usb implementation should that be of use down the track Thanks for that suggestion. ASR measurements are not too favourable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BugPowderDust Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Probably a budget no-go, but there’s also MSB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfonzy Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Check the Holo Spring thread on Audiophilestyle. It mentions the Spring 3 is due out soon and has the option of adding a preamp module. So this will probably suit you perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 1 hour ago, madfonzy said: Check the Holo Spring thread on Audiophilestyle. It mentions the Spring 3 is due out soon and has the option of adding a preamp module. So this will probably suit you perfectly. Amazing thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 3 hours ago, madfonzy said: Check the Holo Spring thread on Audiophilestyle. It mentions the Spring 3 is due out soon and has the option of adding a preamp module. So this will probably suit you perfectly. I'm struggling to find the thread you are referring to. Do you have a link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 Metrum Acoustics have some R2R's with Volume. https://metrumacoustics.com/dacpreamp/24-105-metrum-jade.html#/11-color-anodized_black_aluminum/27-voltage-120v/29-input-usb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbz127 Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 5 hours ago, Grizaudio said: Thanks for that suggestion. ASR measurements are not too favourable. I wouldn't stress about measurements when your looking at r2r dac's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 1 minute ago, barbz127 said: I wouldn't stress about measurements when your looking at r2r dac's... I'm not stressed, but measurements/performance is important. As to is SQ. I.e Holo May for instance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfonzy Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Here you are go to the last post on Monday. https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/28637-holo-audio-spring-dac-r2r-dsd512/page/46/#comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 10 minutes ago, madfonzy said: Here you are go to the last post on Monday. https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/28637-holo-audio-spring-dac-r2r-dsd512/page/46/#comments Thanks they are referring to a head amp and preamp: There will be two versions. One is preamp serene, the other will be headamp serene. there is too much to put both into one chassis. The headamp version is not ready yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfonzy Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Grizaudio said: Thanks they are referring to a head amp and preamp: There will be two versions. One is preamp serene, the other will be headamp serene. there is too much to put both into one chassis. The headamp version is not ready yet. Last post they are referring to the Spring 3. Copied the text below for you. The Serene is a separate item. "From Tim Current Spring 3 Details; Price: Level 1 $1998 Level 2 $2298 KTE $2798 All Models have optional Pre-Amp module for an additional $500. This is a fully balanced, discrete design. The module can be easily installed at a later date if you change your mind. Trickle down technology from the May DAC. Exclusive to the Spring 3 KTE model; The enhanced USB module found in the MAY DAC, which includes Titanus 2.0 FPGA circuit. Additional details to be disclosed on the launch date. Estimated for late-April to mid-May 2021. CJH" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 Thanks. Very helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfonzy Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 On 02/04/2021 at 4:46 PM, Grizaudio said: I'm not stressed, but measurements/performance is important. As to is SQ. I.e Holo May for instance. Spring 3 prototype measurements available on ASR. Looks very impressive https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/measurements-preview-of-holo-audio-spring-3-dac-wpreamp-prototype.22083/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 (edited) 9 minutes ago, madfonzy said: Spring 3 prototype measurements available on ASR. Looks very impressive https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/measurements-preview-of-holo-audio-spring-3-dac-wpreamp-prototype.22083/ R2R and bloody fantastic measurements + preamp!! Whats not to like. Edited April 4, 2021 by Grizaudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray H Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 This one has a good reputation, not sure price is in range though; https://sonicpurity.com.au/store/dac-digital-to-analogue-converter/sonnet-morpheus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 24 minutes ago, madfonzy said: Spring 3 prototype measurements available on ASR. Looks very impressive https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/measurements-preview-of-holo-audio-spring-3-dac-wpreamp-prototype.22083/ I think this is the one! Thanks for the heads up. Plenty of output too to drive low gain amplifiers. Now it just needs to be released! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston6 Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 I have a Metrum Jade pre/dac I am thinking of selling .... Using with the Forte power amp and they sound very smooth silly and liquid. Only I need an analog input for playing a Turntable and it's complicated. My other option is too get a ADC converter but by all accounts they don't sound good! Cheers Grant ( new member) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyW Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Might be worthwhile getting in touch with @Gieseler Audio and see what they have. I know Clay has been working on something rather special Would love to see a unit with an LDR Pre built in. That would be rather special. Could reduce components in a system like that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muon* Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 10 minutes ago, MattyW said: Might be worthwhile getting in touch with @Gieseler Audio and see what they have. I know Clay has been working on something rather special Would love to see a unit with an LDR Pre built in. That would be rather special. Could reduce components in a system like that I think with modern chips the volume can be controlled on chip. For instance with the AD1833 "On-Chip Volume Control per Channel with 1024-Step Linear Scale" In saying that, I have no idea how difficult the implementation of it would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muon* Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Oops! This thread is asking for R2R suggestions, apologies to Grizaudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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