Discrete Ladder DAC price implosion

astrostar59 said:

Accepted and I apologise. I am sensitive to shilling and some dealers do 'announce' gear on here in public posts. It was the price list inc shipping that sent me off on one LOL.

Back to the OP, I do think the R-2R sector is very active right now, and in a good way. There is a healthy DIY group building discrete R-2R DACs at real world prices as well. I would love to have ago, but would look to fit a tube regulated PS and tube line stage to support a discrete board. The Soekris board is 230 USD, and you could probably set 2K USD max in parts for the rest inc chassis for a tubed DAC.

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astrostar59 said:

I was at the Cheshire Audio Show in 2015 and the Linn room was probably the worst sound at that show. And my 3 buddies with me thought the same. Flat and boring was the summary. I have no idea what DAC / streamer they had hooked up, but it was all Linn system and top of the range. The TAS room (entrance area) was amazing. I see the DS/3 has won some awards, and was probably not in that particular system. I personally rate the Linn DAC products more highly than their speakers and amps. I have a buddy in the UK who had the Linn CD12, and at the time that was right up their with the best. But the company has changed a lot since then.....

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EVOLVIST said:

Yeah, the Link KDS/3 didn't come out for until September 2016, or right about there.

You're right, prior to the KDS/3 flat and boring would probably be the best way to describe their DACs. Monochromistic.

I assure you that is not the case now.

As far as their speakers and amps, I have no point of reference.

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