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Originally Posted by doggiehowser
I'm always partial to FPGA/discrete DACs so my pick would be the Chord Hugo TT2. It doesn't have a streamer though, so you need to factor that in.
If you don't need balanced outputs, the Qutest is even more of a bargain.
Both step up to another level, IMHO even outperforming the DAVE on its own, when you add the MScaler.
Another DAC that I quite like - but with a totally different architecture is the Aqua range. The one with the tube (la Scala) is simply stunning. More traditional R2R sound with discrete stages.
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Agree with that - I own the Qutest for that reason. And, Chord offers streamer attachments, reasonably priced, that work with the Hugo or Qutest. I am using the SoTM Neo 200 to turn the Qutest into a Roon-ready endpoint (Roon 'sees' the Qutest directly with the SoTM Neo in the chain). Painless set-up.
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Main - Roon on Synology/Sonos Port/SoTM Neo endpoints; Chord Qutest, Bryston BP-17 cubed with phono option; EAT C-sharp with Ortofon Bronze MM, Bryston cubed Amplifier; Revel F126Be on custom Atocha stands; interconnects by WireWorld, furniture by Atocha Design 'Phones Audeze LCD-3, Bryston BHA-1; Office: Sonos/Roon; OPPO HA-1, Naim NAP100 and PSB Mini-C. Media Room:, Samsung QLED QN90 series, Sonos, OPPO 205, ATI N-core driving KEF LS-50's with REL subs; furniture by Glassisimo; Kids - U-turn for vinyl, Sonos Play5; Summer Shack - Sonos, vintage Pioneer, Dynaudio Special 40's.
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