DAC recommendation

[MartinS]

I'm looking at dacs having just bought a Innuos Zen at a give away price. The requirements, 2 inputs USB and S/PDIF, balanced analogue out, ideally internally mains powered, budget is not inexhaustable but not really a deciding factor, and not too quirky looking. I rather like traditional hifi boxes. All thoughts warmly received.
Regards
Martin

[Stryder5]

Try Soncoz, very good reports.

Gary

[CageyH]

Topping D70, 90, Soncoz, RME.
Set your budget, add take your pick. They are all pretty good.

[Stranraer]

I've run a MArk Levinson 390 CD player, an Oppo 95 DVD player and Audiolab 6000 CD transport through my Soncoz SGD1 DAC and it's brought them all to life. I've alao streamed songs via Amazon.
Detail, seperation, deep bass. It's all there.

A very happy listener. Listening to Van Morrison, Astral Weeks as I type. Sweet Thing........

[MartinS]

I must confess to never having heard of Soncoz, I'll start some research.
Thanks
M

[Firebottle]

I have been through the usual Delta Sigma suspects and now have a Musician Pegasus R-2R dac. The detail, layering and sheer vividness is sublime.

I too use an Innuos Zen.

[Stranraer]

I must confess to never having heard of Soncoz, I'll start some research.
Thanks
M

Neither had I until a few months ago, Martin.
I put a very similar enquiry out to yours on here, and got several owners reply. I have no connection to Keith at Purite Audio but he's a dealer and posted one for a home trial.

[Ammonite Audio]

I have been completely beguiled by the Denafrips Ares II DAC, which I bought at the end of last year from Willowtree Audio. Denafrips seemingly make reasonably priced DACs for people who value tonal colour and musical expression, which for me means a really absorbing listening experience that sits happily alongside top flight vinyl. I am seriously considering upgrading to one of Denafrips' top DAC models.

So, I'd recommend placing Denafrips on the list. They are Chinese, but proudly and openly Chinese, which I respect.

[Filterlab]

A smaller profile than usual hi-fi, but I can't recommend enough the RME Audio ADI-2 FS, it's frickin' amazing, massively flexible and the sound goes beyond anything in its price range, and treble that too. It staved off some very stiff competition in my listening tests.

And no, you don't need to have the display on.

[Bonky]

I too have the RME ADI-FS, and agree that it's an amazing bit of kit. Recommended!