Musician Audio DRACO R-2R Ladder DAC Review

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Күн бұрын

My written review can be found here: soundnews.net/sources/dacs/mu...
Get the Draco from here: bit.ly/3xYGmdq
Get the Pegasus from here: bit.ly/3pRGeJd
Get the Aquarius from here: bit.ly/3Ex6oXL
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:03 - Build Quality
01:55 - Controls
02:22 - Tech Inside It
03:24 - Sound Performance
06:10 - Draco in a stereo setup
08:14 - Detail Retrieval
10:49 - Transients
12:00 - Soundstage & Imaging
13:07 - Bass
13:49 - Midrange
14:42 - Treble
15:52 - Draco VS Pegasus
16:05 - My Conclusion
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
📱 www. Soundnews.net/
📷 / soundnews.net_
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Wodan: bit.ly/2LkHLGN
🎧 Hifiman Arya: bit.ly/2W4RDGM
🎧 Erzetich Phobos: amzn.to/2SbbMcQ
🎧 Quad ERA-1: bit.ly/3fE50pV
Portable headphones I’m using:
🎧 Meze 99 Classics: bit.ly/3bjTqwX
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 3: amzn.to/2SrzzWf
🎧 Sony WH1000XM4: amzn.to/3xkU0ph
IEMs I’m using:
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FA9: bit.ly/3nh9pDf
👂 FiiO FH7: bit.ly/3iwZeqm
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/2y3IPIP
🔊 Buchardt S400: bit.ly/2xTOCkt
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 KECES S300: bit.ly/2XL8sHT
💪 Kinki Studio EX-M7: bit.ly/3gEoVVJ
💪 Hegel H190: bit.ly/2yQboK8
Best DACs I have tried:
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X: bit.ly/2xU6hbC
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Gustard A22: bit.ly/2WExwPK
🥇 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥇 Topping D70S MQA: bit.ly/3pnLgM0
🥇 Audio-GD R7 (2020 Edition): bit.ly/3fpNUfl
🥇 Denafrips Venus: amzn.to/35kgHh7
🥇 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Topping DX7 PRO: bit.ly/2Lh5S67
🥈 SMSL M500: bit.ly/2WlPbwC
🥈 SMSL SU-9: bit.ly/3syrK1f
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
🥈 Mytek Brooklyn DAC+: amzn.to/3aHGuAw
🥈 Benchmark DAC3B: amzn.to/2KC5saf
🥈 Chord Hugo2: amzn.to/2Y88T05
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
🥉 Topping E30: bit.ly/35OWW1p
🥉 SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII: amzn.to/3cSe1tC
🥉 SMSL M200: bit.ly/3cCtFsw
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Flux Lab Acoustics FCN-10: bit.ly/2Y74daK
🎶 Burson Audio Conductor 3: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 Audio-GD D.28 Full: bit.ly/359E6S5
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best DAPs:
🎵 Shanling M8: bit.ly/3uOPlv8
🎵 FiiO M15: bit.ly/3lcFA4N
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus LTD: bit.ly/2T8I1fS
My Video/Photo Gear:
📷 / 🎥 (1): amzn.to/2ToU9de
📷 / 🎥 (2): amzn.to/2VHeNnf
🔍 (1) amzn.to/3eTCsZp
🔍 (2) amzn.to/2UTAG4R
🔍 (3) amzn.to/2yPR6A5
🔭 amzn.to/2zAuGn1
💡 amzn.to/2VEDC3l
☂️ amzn.to/2VETyT6
🎤 (1) amzn.to/3yeeS2h
🎤 (2) amzn.to/3aLjYXv
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZfaq channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#Musician #DRACO #R2R

Пікірлер: 55

@Flavius7 2 жыл бұрын

ALWAYS enjoyed Musician design. People say it's similar to Denafrips, I say it has it's own personality. And if you discard 300 bucks from build and add that to sound quality... YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND. Some Chinese brands really make the right choices. Good work, man!👍

@erics.4113 2 жыл бұрын

Great review. Just subscribed, looking forward to more content. I really want to hear those benchmarks as mono blocks too ..😀

@riccitone 2 жыл бұрын

I was considering a Draco, but ended up with the Topping D70s partly based on your review of it. Completely blown away by it, and it’s consistent with your expert findings. It reminds me of a ladder dac, but still definitively d/s. Still interested in hearing a Draco or Pegasus, though! Ultimately wanted the I2s input which pulled me away from the Ares II 👍🏼

@goldengoose5744 2 жыл бұрын

I'm very courius how it compares to Denafrips Ares II, because they on the same price category.

@myu4039 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@justed4131 2 жыл бұрын

An intriguing product indeed Sandu! Yet after watching this video I was left with one question. Which dac would you choose between Draco and the Denafrips Ares 2? This shouldn't help, but I love my midrange!! And thank you for your insight into audio gear!!! CHEERS!!!

@robertreynolds2212 2 жыл бұрын

Have spent a lot of time with the Ares II and curious to see how it compares to the Draco.

@benstriker4546 2 жыл бұрын

I own the Draco and love it!!

@jesushuerta9878 2 жыл бұрын

I just sold my smsl su9 that has lot of kick and punch and Im saving for going after a Draco now

@jazzabana 2 жыл бұрын

Would you shed some light on how it would compare soundwise to smsl vmv d1se since they cost around the same price? Thank you. Enjoing ur reviews!✌

@audiofetish 2 жыл бұрын

AT 750 $ there is also the denafrips ares II ,so how are compared these 2 R2R dacs at the same price , any opinion please ?

@mehmetcamat4458 Жыл бұрын

have you heard denafrips ares 2 and if yes how would you compare is to musician draco?

@andress3872 2 жыл бұрын

Hi!!! I would wonder if you could get the new SMSL DO200 and compare with D1se also will be great same comparation with the new Gustard X18, ( yeah that's a bit too new) but will be nice comparation as both d1se are almost at the same price. Thanks again!! love your reviews!!

@jesushuerta9878 2 жыл бұрын

I just sold my Smsl su9 AND i think do200 i quite similar (although people say mq cd playback doesnt function properly) , but D1 would be a safe bet and also Gustard 19 but in D1 reviewers say the eq setting actually work and are fun (tube ,rich ,crystal seting of sound)

@soulfulfool Жыл бұрын

Kind of stupid question but is it worth to try ~1000$ r2r dac or just went str8 for Gustard R26? Is it big difference ?

@lextr3110 2 жыл бұрын

can you measure the audio latency? this is very important for me

@Sayan_here 2 жыл бұрын

Xduoo ta26 review please

@robertgreene1946 Жыл бұрын

Will the Draco go as high as the Pegasus sampling rate of 1536KHz? I have been unable to find this info anywhere. Also how high will it go in DSD will it do 1024?

@klepp19 2 жыл бұрын

Does it sound similar to Aquarius?

@nippohippo3257 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome review man. You might as well check out the Spring 3. It is said to have excellent USB implementation....almost good as having a ddc.

@Soundnews 2 жыл бұрын

If only their local distributors were friendlier, sadly they were not. When I've mentioned casually in an email that Spring 3 would be compared to a Rockna Wavelight, they literally exploded with anger and called me names. Anyways...I wish to try such a unit, but they don't.

@zimameti 2 жыл бұрын

@@Soundnews I've had a very similar experience with "Tim" from kitsune hifi. Surprisingly rude person with no issues name calling. "Tim" is also more than one person, and you will know by the fluent English vs the broken English responses. It's an overhyped DAC anyways which performance clearly below the Musician Aquarius that I Have.

@nicktan4530 2 жыл бұрын

@@Soundnews Hello, I dont understand ! Why would they exploded with anger ? There is no reason to be angry and called names, also they would get recognition.

@nicktan4530 2 жыл бұрын

@@zimameti What and where is kitsune hifi ?

@Soundnews 2 жыл бұрын

@@zimameti by local distributor, I meant their European distributor, Kitsune HiFi sent me to them and it wasn't a pleasant conversation, although I was courteous and professional.

@kaulozauras 6 ай бұрын

Musician R2R DAC or Denafrips Ares II, which is better ?

@kyron42 2 жыл бұрын

I love the punchy music in the intro. Where did you get?

@Soundnews 2 жыл бұрын

KZfaq Studio > Audio Library > Search for "Slynk". You're welcome buddy

@kyron42 2 жыл бұрын

@@Soundnews thanks

@Burevestnik9M730 2 жыл бұрын

how abt putting some music so we all can hear it and make conclusion?

@virgogreg 2 жыл бұрын

Draco and the Denafrips Ares 2 which has better SQ?

@klepp19 2 жыл бұрын

I will post soon! I own Ares II and just ordered Draco!

@Biefstukje 2 жыл бұрын

@@klepp19 so what dac do you prefer?

@klepp19 2 жыл бұрын

@@Biefstukje Currently only using Pegasus. I returned the Draco. After summer I will hook up Pontus II in a second system.

@marcogr6299 2 жыл бұрын

Tryed pegasus dac for 2 weeks. Very fine and olographic sound, but no quality control. Via USB lot of hissings and distorsions with cans and with speakers either. Unit was defective but not substitution by aoshida, fortunately bought it with amazon prime. Too bad for that high price. Many people found Musician quality unaffordable. Sorry for that because sound is good.

@Soundnews 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Marco, I'm sad it happened to you. I've tried 2 Pegasus DACs by now, a Draco and an Aquarius, all of them worked flawlessly. I am not defending anyone, I'm on your side, but it just might be back luck.

@marcogr6299 2 жыл бұрын

@@Soundnews yes bad luck probably..but poor assistance. I'll never invest over 1000 dollars dac boughting it from China stores.

@Yiannis2112 2 жыл бұрын

@@Soundnews Hellooo...! They double and triple check what's being sent to reviewers and that's why you guys never get something's that's defective...

@jesushuerta9878 2 жыл бұрын

@@marcogr6299 Im biting my nails because the nerves of buying this gear without future support.At this price I would get safer maybe with a smsl vmv D1 se

@wric01 2 жыл бұрын

Piss me off i 've been listening to delta sigma crap all these years. r2r is a revolution scale for classical and vocal music tastes. Only complaint is why the lousy driver support: Lack of a functional driver from their support website, as it automatically takes microsoft's usb hires audio which offers no Asio. Can't complain for what i'm getting that's what matters it's working and i love it. It impressed me out of the box and it's not even burn in yet 300 hours.