Post by gninnam on Jan 30, 2021 16:27:04 GMT
Been running an IQAudio DAC+ in my pi for the last 3 or 4 years (not hundred percent how long now) and not really felt the need to change.
Then up pops all these threads on DAC this and DAC that so I started to see what else was available PI related.
The R2R comments piqued my interest so I looked at Audiophilediy's PI R2R DAC and enquired about his product.
After a few emails decided I didn't need to spend that much just yet so left a lone.
Then MikeyB mentioned that he was demoing an Ares so I PM'd him about selling the R2R - after some indecision's on his part the deal was done.
I have been using for a few days now and carried out a back-to-back test with the IQ+ (I have more PI's that you could a shake a stick it) to see if 10 times the price is worth it.
I have it mounted in the draft version of my PI/Screen case as can bee seen below:
So my thoughts so far.
On the visuals the board is heavy and a good percentage bigger than the IQ+ and the parts used look top notch.
What about the sound though?
Very good indeed, everything seems a bit 'cleaner' than the IQ+ but to be honest, not 10 times better in my opinion.
I noted that the voltage coming out of the RCA sockets are a good percentage higher than the IQ+ so when comparing had to keep on knocking the volume up then down......
My wife could not tell any difference betwixt the 2.
It think this may be the last digital update/upgrade I do for some time and I will concentrate on the analogue side as I feel this is where my heart (and ears) are.
Cheers
Andy
Then up pops all these threads on DAC this and DAC that so I started to see what else was available PI related.
The R2R comments piqued my interest so I looked at Audiophilediy's PI R2R DAC and enquired about his product.
After a few emails decided I didn't need to spend that much just yet so left a lone.
Then MikeyB mentioned that he was demoing an Ares so I PM'd him about selling the R2R - after some indecision's on his part the deal was done.
I have been using for a few days now and carried out a back-to-back test with the IQ+ (I have more PI's that you could a shake a stick it) to see if 10 times the price is worth it.
I have it mounted in the draft version of my PI/Screen case as can bee seen below:
So my thoughts so far.
On the visuals the board is heavy and a good percentage bigger than the IQ+ and the parts used look top notch.
What about the sound though?
Very good indeed, everything seems a bit 'cleaner' than the IQ+ but to be honest, not 10 times better in my opinion.
I noted that the voltage coming out of the RCA sockets are a good percentage higher than the IQ+ so when comparing had to keep on knocking the volume up then down......
My wife could not tell any difference betwixt the 2.
It think this may be the last digital update/upgrade I do for some time and I will concentrate on the analogue side as I feel this is where my heart (and ears) are.
Cheers
Andy