Am I missing out? (R2R vs DS)

[AnalogSteph]

Well, it’s not pretty:

Fiio K11 R2R DAC/HPAMP measurements

This is a simple measurement of Fiio K11 R2R DAC and headphone amplifie. Some setup, 200kohm input impedance, 48khz sample rate, 20khz bandwidth. Balance ouput Dynamic range, No weighting 50mV SNR, 32ohm load, No weighting Linearity, 1khz sine, elliptic filter low and high pass from...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Oh, that stinks. -72 dB THD+N at 0 dBFS would make converters from the digital dark ages around 1980 blush. I just added some to the list...

 

[boxerfan88]

There is definitely a difference in how the K11 'sounds' vs. the Focusrite. Of course I cannot quantify my opinions, but the K11 sounds a bit warmer than the Solo.

Very glad to see the responses to your post have been quite civil and explanatory in nature this far

Welcome to ASR.

And yeah, my R2R DAC sounds a tad warmer compared to my ESS9038Pro DS DAC.

 

[Chrispy]

Your ratio of expense in electronics vs those speakers is odd. Have no idea about the IEMs, tho. Worrying about a dac with such informal comparison, meh.

 

[Snoopy]

Definitely upgrade the loudspeakers before putting more money towards a DAC .

 

[AnalogSteph]

Or, at the very least, take some measurements (MMM recommended) to see what you're working with and potentially develop a software PEQ setting along the way. From what I've been able to gather from this review, the design of these early-2000s speakers seems sensible enough (computer designed baffle with some waveguide action and a low crossover point, anechoic chamber involved), but it goes without saying that a 5.5" bookshelf at $200US the pair in 2004 is going to have its limits. Typical areas of concern would be poorly-damped internal resonances getting out via the port, cabinet resonances and saturation-prone ferrite core inductors (particularly on the woofer side). Also, a 19mm tweeter in such a small waveguide with a 2.2 kHz crossover point sounds a bit concerning, though the woofer may be enough of a limiting factor.

 

[Mikig]

rather than asking other users, if you are missing something, I would advise you to take the journey "driving" yourself.

Over time if you can, keep two Dacs, your R2R and a DS and make your own considerations!

Try to make comparisons, there are excellent tutorials on how to do them, between the two devices or between multiple devices and find your way.

In addition to measurements, tests, and technical sheets, there are your ears, and your way of perceiving things: you are the one who listens so no one will ever be able to tell you what you might like best.

Assuming that obvious differences in sound can be established.

Just remember one thing; there are objective rules, just read and inform yourself and you will find them. Make them yours, you will have the instructions in your hands that will tell you what you can really find, how to do it and why to do it.

Then the rest is a matter of taste ... but that's fine: above all have fun and listen without worrying too much ...