Akita Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 I heard that Audio Research makes good amplifiers but many were unsure about their DAC. I was wondering which is a better DAC between: 1. PS Audio DIrectstream DAC 2. Audio Research DAC 9 3. Chord Hugo TT2 (all for head-fi system, I don't own a speaker) Please share some of your ideas, feedback, advice and experience. thank you
Tim Perry Posted March 22, 2021 Posted March 22, 2021 If it helps, a friend has a PS Audio Direct stream DAC, he borrowed my Chord Hugo TT2 DAC to compare, he's now saving the buy the Hugo 2 DAC, he commented that the Hugo elevated music to the next level in detail and sound stage. Note you also have the option to add the M scaler for another leap forward 2
Tony B Posted March 22, 2021 Posted March 22, 2021 20 hours ago, Klaus220 said: I heard that Audio Research makes good amplifiers but many were unsure about their DAC. I was wondering which is a better DAC between: 1. PS Audio DIrectstream DAC 2. Audio Research DAC 9 3. Chord Hugo TT2 (all for head-fi system, I don't own a speaker) Please share some of your ideas, feedback, advice and experience. thank you I own a TT2 and for headphones its brilliant. Add the m-scaler and it's right up there and competes with the best. IMO of course. 1
Akita Posted March 22, 2021 Author Posted March 22, 2021 4 hours ago, Timbo31 said: If it helps, a friend has a PS Audio Direct stream DAC, he borrowed my Chord Hugo TT2 DAC to compare, he's now saving the buy the Hugo 2 DAC, he commented that the Hugo elevated music to the next level in detail and sound stage. Note you also have the option to add the M scaler for another leap forward 1 hour ago, Tony B said: I own a TT2 and for headphones its brilliant. Add the m-scaler and it's right up there and competes with the best. IMO of course. thank you so much for your suggestions
Bunno77 Posted March 22, 2021 Posted March 22, 2021 A while ago I compared the ps audio to a Chord Hugo TT v1. There was very little in it even with using my phone as source via USB C VS the ps audio bridge 2 for the DSD. My guess is the phone brought the Hugo down in comparison. Haven't heard the DAC 9 but spent a lot of time with the CD9 and CD6. If it is anything like these CD players it would be my pick not talking budget into account
Ittaku Posted March 22, 2021 Posted March 22, 2021 Well these are three quite different DACs but these are my completely subjective experiences with them. 1. Directstream- delicate soft very pleasant to listen to for hours on end, misses reaching the depths of detail and soundstage size 2. Hugo - note I haven't heard this particular DAC, but I've head the DAVE which is their reference DAC so presumably it is a similar sonic signature: Big bold brash, dynamic, detailed, impactful, but potentially fatiguing to listen to for long periods depending on the rest of your chain (did not work with my gear at all.) 3. DAC9 - Very natural sounding with harmonic richness and reality of instrumental tone and a wonderful midrange, seems polite in the top end but perhaps it just integrates treble more naturally? The DAC9 is the clear winner to me but you may prioritise different things in your listening.
Akita Posted March 22, 2021 Author Posted March 22, 2021 6 hours ago, Bunno77 said: A while ago I compared the ps audio to a Chord Hugo TT v1. There was very little in it even with using my phone as source via USB C VS the ps audio bridge 2 for the DSD. My guess is the phone brought the Hugo down in comparison. Haven't heard the DAC 9 but spent a lot of time with the CD9 and CD6. If it is anything like these CD players it would be my pick not talking budget into account thank you so much for your thoughts wow yeah I heard lots of positive things about CD series as well. 2 minutes ago, Ittaku said: Well these are three quite different DACs but these are my completely subjective experiences with them. 1. Directstream- delicate soft very pleasant to listen to for hours on end, misses reaching the depths of detail and soundstage size 2. Hugo - note I haven't heard this particular DAC, but I've head the DAVE which is their reference DAC so presumably it is a similar sonic signature: Big bold brash, dynamic, detailed, impactful, but potentially fatiguing to listen to for long periods depending on the rest of your chain (did not work with my gear at all.) 3. DAC9 - Very natural sounding with harmonic richness and reality of instrumental tone and a wonderful midrange, seems polite in the top end but perhaps it just integrates treble more naturally? The DAC9 is the clear winner to me but you may prioritise different things in your listening. hmmm.... I mainly listen to female vocal oriented music, maybe DAC9 would suit me the best as well? dilemma.... thank you so much for your thoughts
Ittaku Posted March 22, 2021 Posted March 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, Klaus220 said: hmmm.... I mainly listen to female vocal oriented music, maybe DAC9 would suit me the best as well? dilemma.... thank you so much for your thoughts DAC9 would indeed be the winner for that in my mind with its midrange, but bear in mind it's purely my sighted subjective comparison.
Akita Posted March 22, 2021 Author Posted March 22, 2021 16 minutes ago, Ittaku said: DAC9 would indeed be the winner for that in my mind with its midrange, but bear in mind it's purely my sighted subjective comparison. Thank you for your suggestion
Sheafer Richards Posted April 18, 2021 Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) I had a demo on the Ayon Sigma, Chord Dave and PS audio Directstream a few days ago through a Accuphase/Magico setup and found the Dave the most revealing but ultimately thought it would be too much over the long term The Ayon was very nice and i felt had a better balance than the Dave but i preferred the PS Directstream in the end as i felt it sounded more natural and would be more relaxing to listen to for longer periods Edited April 18, 2021 by Richo 2
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