I think for now I will go with the Topping D50s… a subtle upgrade in sound, but I really like the extra features and functionality. This discussion does have me thinking about a second DAC in the system to use with the less than stellar recordings. I was thinking that this is where the r2r and Multibit DACs would fit for me.
I mean that case I would actually say grab something like a ifi zen dac since it’s warmer and smoother, and isn’t going to reveal too much to avoid harshness, I wouldn’t get a higher tier dac to use for worse quality recordings lol (although it would work just fine)
If you feel a lower tier Delta sigma DACs is more accurate then I have to politely disagree. I believe you are letting measurements you see online drive your decisions. More specifically, I would argue against a saver DAC for transparent or details. I think a well designed akm based DAC is more of what you are looking for. However, I agree with M0N and recommend the Soekris. Comparing a DragonFly Cobalt and a relative to the Soekris by a friend with Stax, hearing was believing.
If you want an interesting set of reviews on DACs, look up the Denafrips Ares DAC reviews. Please know measurements tell only a small part of a story.
That is what I am here for… to hear others experienced opinions. I appreciate it a lot. But I also know that what people hear and like is subjective. Measurements are not subjective. I tend to lean heavily towards very low distortion equipment and that sound signature. I do respect yours and MON’s opinion on the Soekris 1421. I am fairly new to DACs; I was perfectly happy with whatever was in the equipment I had… I got curious. There are a lot of people here with way more experience with DACs and other components than I have, but they still have a preference to a sound signature and I try to take that in to account when making decisions. I would love to try the Soekris 1421, but to go from a $100 DAC to a $900 DAC seems like a big leap for something that may not fit my ear, especially when that price tag is higher than any single piece of equipment I presently own. A good example is the SMSL SP 200 purchase I made recently. There were some here that liked the sound signature, others didn’t. I pay attention to what is described… something someone may dislike may be something that is appealing to me. I like the SP 200 paired with the Sundaras a lot. So, I figured the Topping D50s fit into what I typically lean towards measurement wise as well as what people are saying about the sound. I am not expecting a huge difference for sure… the additional functionality was a selling point also. I have no doubt that this is any kind of end game for me… Half the fun is taking those steps and learning as I go, maybe trying something different at some point.
With the SP200, would you be interested in a balanced DAC? That’s about the best reason I could think of to skip the D50s.
I’ve got a D90 paired with a Monoprice 887, and that has been endgame level clean reference sound for me. The D90 is $700, but has everything (dual 4499, balanced out, Bluetooth, remote, and the ability to disable paths you’re not using.
There are cheaper balanced DACs that look very attractive, like SMSL M500 @ $400.
Otherwise, the D50s packs a lot of features and performance into a small package. I just bought one from Drop for a system I’m building for a friend. Still about 3 weeks out, but Drop price was a great deal @ $185.
SMSL M200 is now available, bluetooth + balanced + made for the SP200 
3 Likes
Imagine if it didn’t have the slant lol
5 Likes
They’re “cheating” a bit though? They’re going for an apparently full-balanced stack but the XLR headphone out itself is not even balanced internally, it’s just for convenience.
Although, do you hear a difference between 1/4" and XLR, @M0N?
For the sp200 the single ended out and balanced out are pretty much the same imo. The balanced is slightly better from memory but really tbh I don’t have enough time with it to confidently say that because they were so close
Sorry, I mean, on one amp with, let’s say, only XLR inputs, but with XLR and 1/4 outs, any amp, should XLR sound better or the same as 1/4… just with added protection against, like, the tiniest of interferences?
So a balanced headphone out actually has no common mode rejection, so you wouldn’t get any advantage there. For most amps with both balanced and unbalanced out, I would use the balanced out since that’s most likely what the designer put more effort into, really depends on the amp tbh.
2 Likes
So they’re not cheating, never mind. 
Again, depends on the amp. If your definition of cheating is putting an xlr out with no real balanced benefits because the amp isn’t really balanced, then the sp200 is cheating. I’m just saying that using balanced if your gear has it is a good rule of thumb, on some amps it’s way more impactful (any balanced cavalli amp I have tried has had pretty bleh single ended out performance, but the amps are actually balanced there)
1 Like
I had read a little about that… Looks interesting for sure…
Yes… my thoughts too… I don’t have my stand alone stuff stacked… the three of them are horizontal across the top of the CD player… the SP 200 shape is not obvious… put two in there and I may start to think my rack is crooked.
Might need some modern art next to it and/or a small Pisa tower
1 Like
Slant? What slant? Looks fine to me!
3 Likes
First impressions are really good. I have listened to music that is complex and I am very familiar with and I can definitely hear more detail especially in the mids and highs… Those subtle intricate sounds seem to be more apparent. I am also sensing more depth…
I do have a question. The D50s does seem to be adding some gain over the Modi 3. I am using the DAC strictly for streaming Qobuz and playing FLAC files from a computer. I have left the D50s set at the default 0.00db. There are three places where volume can be adjusted… Software, DAC and Integrated Amp. While using the Modi 3, I typically had the software volume maxed. Should I be backing off on the software volume or at the DAC?
1 Like
I would suggest maxing digital volume and keeping dac volume also high, adjust the volume with your amp. But if you think you don’t get enough volume range on the amp then bump down the dac a tad
3 Likes
Thanks… there is plenty of range… I just don’t have to turn the amp up as much as I did before… about an 1/8 of the dial difference.