Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

CollectiveMind

Dec 24, 2018

Hi guys , just a quick question ... I was planning to use the Airist Dac with the THX 789 on RCA passthrough, to two W4S SX1000R monoblocks but I have just realized there is no volume knob or remote, so I wonder if it would be ok to command all the volume chain from the Mac book Pro ?... any thoughts ?

Dec 24, 2018

loadexfa

281

Dec 24, 2018

CollectiveMindFor every DAC I've tried, the Macbook won't allow you to control the volume out (only for internal speakers or the headphone jack). You probably need to get a pre-amp to solve this.

Dec 24, 2018

EniGmA1987

620

Dec 27, 2018

CollectiveMindWhy would you pair a DAC with huge distortion and no balanced output with nice amps? The THX 789 are polar opposites in the audio design

(Edited)

Dec 27, 2018

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CollectiveMind

Dec 27, 2018

EniGmA1987Well.. 1.- Lack of khowledge can be one answer, ;) But I have been reading quite a los lattely about r2-r, and apparently this distorsión is kind of what some people is searching for ... 2.- i have also Been told to evalúate this choice by several members . 3.- class D amps are quite Analitical and perhaps this Dac provides counterpart to this 4.- more over, massdrop Choosed to créate this product specifically to be paired with the thx 789 amp ... and i love my Elex, and the thx 789 done by them .. so why not to trust them again ? So far great products!! i would like however to know what would you advise as possible options, but please take account of the w4s sx1000r Amps that are into the que rig allready. thank you in advance for your help :).

Dec 27, 2018

EniGmA1987

620

Dec 27, 2018

CollectiveMindI suppose this DAC may very well compliment the amp by sounding less clinical. Often times people dont want to hear how poorly recorded much of the music is. For something with very well measured specs that match the low distortion of the THX amp, the SMSL SU-8v2 with balanced outputs would go well. It is in a similar price category and has measured distortion of around 0.0003% THD, which puts it at 110dB signal above distortion and noise. The THX amp has measured 0.0001% with 116dB signal above distortion and noise. The SU-8v2 also comes with a remote that you can control volume with. You could always try it from Amazon and if it turns out to be much to analytical then you could return it and stick with the Massdrop R-2R https://www.amazon.com/Decoder-SMSL-2ES9038Q2M-768kHz-Balance-x/dp/B07DQDNF6S

(Edited)

Dec 27, 2018

Motorrad

2900

Jan 12, 2019

CollectiveMindDon't listen to that guy. He thinks he knows way more than he does. One of the coolest things about the 789 is how transparent it is and how little it influences the DAC you are using. I would not call the 789 'analytical'...it's almost invisible. R-2R DACs are curious and I'm looking forward to hearing one done right...I expect this may be it. The SMSL SU-8v2 that he's on about is nice and the number-crunching, lab-coat crowd loves it, but personally, I don't find it as musical as some single ended DACs... The SU8V2 is an exceptionally quiet option and a very good deal, but it just ain't all that. good luck. Numbers mean a lot, but not everything. I've most often found that those crunching numbers just don't hear the music.

Jan 12, 2019

CollectiveMind

Jan 12, 2019

MotorradThank you for your reply :). i ended buying a Rme adi 2 Dac and a sml8 v2( so far) waiting for a New airist drop ( 7 months and counting :( ). i love massdrop ability to créate/refine products in colaboración with their makers that show real care and love for the audio comunity, they master to provide top Quálity, and state of the art products at Great prices for the whole range of pockets... Kudos to that !!!

(Edited)

Jan 12, 2019

Motorrad

2900

Jan 13, 2019

CollectiveMind interesting. the ADI 2 seems a curious choice; what led you to it? what do you find in comparison to the smsl?

Jan 13, 2019

Vote

CollectiveMind

Feb 15, 2019

Motorrad

First of all, I read the manual, and was blown away by the absolute love from the RME people to provide something great at a fair price, packed with a lot of useful features !! that sold me in the first place. Besides that, the Adi 2 DAC has also some features that really help me with the W4S mono amps, the THX and my headphones... among others .. Independent settings for line out, HP out, and IEM out for volume, crossfeed, etc. the volume control is exactly what I was looking for too ..

(Edited)

Feb 15, 2019

Motorrad

2900

Feb 17, 2019

CollectiveMindnice. I guess I had that DAC confused with the ADI2. Looks like a good combo.

Feb 17, 2019

StopItGetSomeHelp

174

Feb 17, 2019

CollectiveMindHi! i have the RME as well but im running it as a single unit setup, do you think its worth getting the THX amp to run these as a combo? how does the sound differ using it as a single unit compared to combo? what other amps do you use and where do you prefer the RME to other amps with use of different types of headphones? im going to run the aeoulous on my RME and i am looking at the ELEX as well. tell me about the sound with the elex and how it runs on the RME compared to others! im very excited to hear about your experience! ghost mounted my RME below the table