I have a modi3 as backup. It feeds a thx789, soon a cavalier cth. I have he4xx, ether cx, t50rpIII, and will have aeon x soon. The modi 3 sounds ok and does the job but I feel like it’s my weakest link. I would also like to match the balanced input for the thx.
FYI I had the smsl M300 for a couple days before it suddenly sounded crunchy, like distorted.
Side note, I like the physical switch for input that the modi has, and I’ve been recommended teac 501 and adi rme2, but those might be a bit expensive for me rn.
Gotcha. Do you need USB? If not, I’d say check out the Geshelli Labs Enog 2 Pro. The SMSL SM200 is $280, but is still an SMSL. FWIW, I’ve been using an SMSL SU-8 for months with no issues.
Yeah I had a Sanskrit for years and it was great but I’m looking to move away from smsl now and want balanced output. So yeah USB is a must with Bluetooth as a bonus
TBH, at the moment I’m drawing a blank on a non-SMSL balanced DAC in the $200-300 range, or even more. There is the iFi Zen Dac for $130. It has a warmer signature which may or may not appeal, and to use balanced out you’d have to get a 4.4mm pentaconn to XLR adapter. The Drop Grace SDAC balanced comes in at $150. The Geshelli is just above that. Then it’s SMSL for the next couple hundred dollars, to my knowledge. At $500 you get into the Topping D70 or DX7s. If you’re willing to push to $700 the Schiit Bifrost 2 is there. There are other DACs around $300, but they’re single ended, AFAIK (JDS Labs Element II, Aune X8). @M0N is quiet today. Maybe he knows of something else.
IMO in this case, I would either grab a su8 for a solid balanced dac with features, but I wouldn’t spend more on that actually until you get to the 700 ish range. I think the bifrost 2 is excellent, also check out the ares ii, but that is more expensive.
I think biting the bullet and getting the bifrost is my move, schiit has proven themselves to me and I feel like I’m supporting a good company. Appreciate the rec @M0N
