And now for something completely different

W9TR

W9TR

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Apr 22, 2013
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The Neutral Zone
I picked up this Apos Druid DAC on a whim for my headphone setup. $160 for a modern R2R DAC that sounds better than it has any right to. Is it a giant killer? I don’t think so. That’s an overused trope anyway.

Is it worth $160? Yes, definitely. It sounds surprisingly good.

It has a lively and vibrant character that improves with time. The ‘science fair’ look and lack of a true case will be offputting to many. Anybody who has built anything audio knows most of the product cost is in the casework and power supply. This eliminates both with no case and an inexpensive switcher you can easily replace with a linear power supply.

Fully balanced XLR outputs on back, along with the power and USB C input.
Amber LED’s emit a nice warm glow and can be disabled. R-2R network surrounds custom DAC chip.
You can roll the socketed output driver IC’s.

This is a great way to introduce someone to digital sound for a very reasonable price. They have a companion tube/SS headphone amp I have ordered.

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Any shielding it has would be on the PWB itself. Far from the die cast or machined enclosures so common in high end gear.
 
You can get an SMSL DAC for a lot less, under $50. But then you’d have an SMSL DAC using an ESS delta-sigma converter and you’d have to figure out what to do with it because it sounds like every other ESS DAC.

Or you could get a Schiit Modi 5 for the same money as the Druid and have something that sounds good and you can recommend it to others.

The Druid sounds very good, and is R2R which I prefer over delta-sigma. Take a chance, see what you think. I am always looking for ways to get folks hooked on good sound for not much money. IMO this will do it.

It’s kind of like the sub $100 IEM market. It is flooded with junk and a few gems. You just have to find the gems.
 
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