THE REVIEWS
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BORDER-PATROL SE-i DAC - REVIEW
The BorderPatrol SE-i DAC is a true gem that hides its wondrous capabilities beneath a simple, clean, unadorned facade. To look past it though is to look past the tattered, dirt-crusted Van Gogh at a garage sale, posing as nothing more than an amateur's well-intentioned, paint-by-numbers, work. Don’t do that. [Really!]
CANOR DAC 2.10 - REVIEW
The Slovakian brand Canor has made its presence known over the past several years, and the DAC 2.10 is a world-class source component, regardless of topology. But the fact that Canor pays fanatical attention to detail, even designing their own boards, and has found a way to incorporate a flawless tube output stage with their digital design, makes the DAC 2.10 a unique and highly desirable digital source component.
MYTEK LIBERTY II DAC - REVIEW
Despite its unassuming appearance, relative affordability and pleasantly diminutive size, the Liberty DAC II brings the listener closer to an artist’s intent than any converter I’ve heard at anywhere near its price. It may be too honest, too linear for some folks who want a velvet painting rather than a photograph but, for me, it’s a definitely worthy consideration. Highly recommended.
MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE X SE DAC - REVIEW
I had held Berkeley Audio Design’s† as the approach to take when looking for accuracy with musicality. Now, I have another more affordable choice among peers. The Mystique X SE combines the eternal precision of digital with the immortal soul of human performance. I concede, Benjamin’s karate is better. If you’re shopping for a “mid–tier” digital audio converter, you owe it to yourself to make a date with Mystique.
MUSICIAN AUDIO PHOENIX DIGITAL INTERFACE - REVIEW
What I have concluded is that Pegasus + Phoenix is a solid option for those who cannot commit to a highly resolving R-2R DAC due to budget constraints. Purchase a Pegasus then, at a later date, add on a Phoenix which brings the total base cost to $2,798.
MUSICIAN AUDIO PEGASUS - REVIEW
The $1-2k market segment for DACs is a crowded one with some very capable contenders, so I would definitely listen rather than reading before landing on a final purchase. That said, the PEGASUS represents a solid investment in mellow digital audio conversion. The overall careful construction, effortless ease of use, plethora of input choices and ability to upgrade the performance via I²S all make for a compelling package.
DENAFRIPS TERMINATOR II DAC - REVIEW
The DENAFRIPS Terminator II checks all of the required music lover and audiophile boxes easily and well and is a prodigious talent, especially when its price is taken into account. DACs within its ‘ambient’ pricing circle should take pause and perhaps never agree to a side by side comparison, lest they suffer a humiliating defeat.