Looking for a straight barebones DAC

[iamkimosabi]

I've just compared
SMSL SU-9 --> THX 789 (Balanced) --> Focal Clear & HiFiMan Sundara
to
Universal Audio Twin Mk ii --> THX 789 (balanced) --> Focal Clear & HiFiMan Sundara

AND... I found that the UA Twin Mk ii sounded clearly more detailed, nuanced, and lively.
I never thought of the Twin as a TOTL DAC but compared to the SU9 that everyone raves about, I easily prefer the Twin.

That's quite interesting...it wasn't to get a better sound per say...I just wanted a simple DAC that sounds accurate enough for me to mix through, leaving my analog i/o open for routing hardware. I chose the ES9038Pro because I like ESS chips...always have since I used the Duet2 which had ES9016S chips in it, and the Symphony I/O which used the ES9018 chips...and I have tried AKM chips in RME gear and it wasn't for me. So for me, I prefer ESS chips....specifically would like to stay up to date and get a 2 channel DAC with balanced outputs, using the ES9038Pro chips.