Soekris DAC1421- R/2R Discrete Ladder DAC/AMP - Yummy Goodness!

[@johnsimpson8187]

I purchased the Soekris 1421 in 2020 and currently use it as both a DAC and Preamp, into an Atoll IN300 amplifier (in By Pass mode, which by passes the amp’s preamp). In this configuration - this is my end game system - I cannot imagine a better sounding system. I previously used this DAC with a Hegel H90 and that combination was not as good as my current system.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awsomeness! Thanks for the impressions.

[@soulfunkjazz]

How is the low volume performance? The soekris has digital volume attenuation which sucks at low volumes usually. How did the sound change going from the atoll pre to the soekris? Thanks!

[@pascaljean2333]

Great! Thanks for reviewing these non main stream products!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you are welcome.

[@CWoodOne]

Great review, Dave! You're really coming into your groove thing with your reviews, great job!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated 🥰

[@CWoodOne]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I've been watching since your first review, getting better all the time. I have a couple of R2R dacs myself, Schiit Bifrost 1 and Bifrost 2 and I really like them. They're not the most revealing DAC's around, but they're easy on the ears. I'm a little glare sensitive.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@CWoodOne awesomeness. Thanks for the long time support, greatly appreciated. Thanks for the kind words. I've heard good things about Bifrost, would love a chance to review them at some point, maybe Schiit Audio will send them in.

[@chefsteve8381]

Nice review, looking into R2R dacs at the moment , this and the Denafrips ares 2 are on my list so far, could you please do a review on RCA/XLR switching boxes i noticed one behind you, not much info or reviews on them thanks.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

R/2R DAC are amazing, highly recommend :) Haven't heard the Denafrips Ares 2 but it looks like a solid option. Switching box, not much to say about them but might be an interesting video; thanks for the suggestion.

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

Nice, something that’s not Schiit, RME, S.M.S.L., or Topping. 👍🏻

[@pascaljean2333]

Also curious on this vs the denafrips

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Maybe one day I will get to hear a Denafrips :)

[@pascaljean2333]

@@TheHonestAudiophile im in europe and it would make more sense for me to get this model

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I understand but you can purchase a Soekris directly from Soekris ;) www.soekris.dk/ordering.html I would still love the chance to review a Denafrips if the funds become available or someone sends one in to the channel.

[@pascaljean2333]

@@TheHonestAudiophile yes exactly! I'm looking the higher model infact. I posted the specs and output in the comments

[@konna200]

This is wierd, i was just looking couple of hours before this Soekris DAC vid release --> Audio "God" R-28 2021 Edition... Hmmm is this a sign from audio God? Anyways nice video again! ;)

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Interesting 🤔 Audio GD hmmm, don't know too much about them. Thanks for watching and commenting 💓

[@branislavcrljenica2584]

Thanks Dave 👍 I hope you will have a chance to hear etymotic *ER2SE* ,your opinion is valuable

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

One is inbound to the channel.

[@lukelee1992]

Hi I am curious about the digital input of this dac/amp How does it performance when it is connected with USB or coaxial input? Do I need a DDC with this as Dac?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I didn't hear a difference in performance. I didn't use a DDC.

[@lukelee1992]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thank you for the reply

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@pascaljean2333]

1421: The dac1421 is able to output minimum 6.5V RMS into 32 ohm or higher, in power that is 1300 mW into 32 ohm, 400 mW into 100 ohm or 140 mW into 300 ohm. Specs of the 2541 6.3 mm Jack: is for connecting to a set of headphones, almost any type can be used, the loading impedance should be minimum 16 ohm, high impedance types work very well. The dac2541 is able to output minimum 6.5V RMS into 32 ohm or higher, in power that is 1300 mW into 32 ohm, 400 mW into 100 ohm or 140 mW into 300 ohm. 4 pins XLR socket: is for connecting to a set of balanced headphones, almost any type can be used, the loading impedance should be minimum 32 ohm, high impedance types work very well. The dac2541 is able to output minimum 13V RMS into 50 ohm or higher, in power that is 3400 mW into 50 ohm, 1700 mW into 100 ohm, 560 mW into 300 ohm or 280 mW into 600 ohm.

[@pascaljean2333]

Dave, Could you do a video series on 100 vs 1k? This dac vs something like a modi, and arya vs something like dt990. etc... It may be really informative

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Great idea but kinda pricey

[@pascaljean2333]

@@TheHonestAudiophile perhaps but it might give buyers a better idea of what you are really paying 10x the price for

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

That's true. We'll see if I can get some gear sent in.

[@pascaljean2333]

@@TheHonestAudiophile cool! Always happy to get your impressions

[@hireality]

Another intriguing product you review here dear Dave👍 I've been tracking R2R DACs for a while. If Soekris DAC1421 performs on par with its closest and similarly-priced competition Denafrips Ares 2 and Musician Pegasus then it has a better performance/value simply because it is an integrated DAC/AMP that performs well and beyond based on your review. One general critique regarding your reviews: you keep mentioning lack of a wide soundstage in this one and your previous review on Etymotic ER2XR (something most of headphone reviewers do as well, that the lack of a wide soundstage is not a good quality). I think a wide soundstage is a very important quality of any loudspeaker. But, for headphones, what's more important quality is accurate layering, imaging, and 3D positioning performance. Do you agree? Back to R2R DACs: one of the reasons I've been intrigued by them (via many reviews) is their superior imaging capability compared to non R2R DACs. Thanks for this review 🙂

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated. I agree that a wider soundstage is more important for loudspeakers then headphones. With that being said a wider soundstage is appreciated on a headphone or IEM. I am not searching for a large soundstage in headphones or IEM actually. I actually prefer the qualities you mention; layering, imaging and positional performance over the overall stage size. But I do not like a soundstage that is closed in and/or claustrophobic feeling; I actually am looking for a soundstage that is realistic and natural sounding. R/2R DAC for sure do the layering, imaging and positional performance better then DS DAC in my opinion. They also do a more natural tone and timbre as well. All qualities that I am looking for in a DAC. Excellent topic, might be good for a video discussion :)

[@hireality]

@@TheHonestAudiophile 'Realistic soundstage', well said. I noticed that you value the mentioned qualities, as opposed to just a wide soundstage, from your Etymotic review, just wanted to tease out for a chat here😉 Thanks for your feedback. It actually crossed my mind (during watching your Etymotic review) to someday invite you for a chat on my channel to talk about this interesting but overlooked topic. I need to do some homework first, I'm lagging behind producing some related content🙂

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

You are welcome for the reply, my pleasure 👍

[@konna200]

@@TheHonestAudiophile YES! This is the soul food for me and many many others like us!!!! Keep em coming boys&girls!!!! Love this subject. i am hunting that old school 90s organic sound with superior soundstage with above mentions preferences yes. Im so hyped!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@konna200 awesomeness 🥰

[@PatLee-xi5sr]

Hi there, as an user of 1421 I wanna ask which side of the power plug is the live wire. I was confused then I could tell the difference while reversing the plug.

[@qddk9545]

You can buy a phase finder, or you can measure it with a DMM on the AC setting. Measure from one wire to ground and the other wire to ground. One result will show a value close to your mains voltage ( 115 - 230v) depending on where you live. The other one will show a much lower voltage. The high voltage is the live wire.

[@PatLee-xi5sr]

@qddk9545 Sovled already. Since I replaced the figure 8 plug with the furutech one. I could confirm the live wire thru the re installation. Still, thanks to see a long time ago question being answered

[@franzb69]

always wanted to buy a soekris but they're always out of stock

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

From what I understand is there is a 2-3 week lead time if you place an order. I would reach out to Modhouse for an update.

[@CWoodOne]

Hey Dave, I've got a Bifrost 2 (which is a kind of r2r DAC) and I just ordered a pair of Focal Clear MG's. How does your new Phonitor pair with Focals, I think you might have a pair also?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I don’t own a pair of Focal at the current. I owned an Elex some time back and was loaned an Clear Pro but didn't get to hear either on the SPL. I would think paired with an R2R or multibit the Clear would be a pleasing experience on the Phonitor. I haven't heard the B2 but I've heard good things about it. Would love the opportunity to review it and the new Clear MG.

[@CWoodOne]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Too bad you're too far for a listening party.... :) new Clears should arrive on Monday

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@Andrew S awesomeness, enjoy your Clear MG. I look forward to hearing your impressions.

[@CWoodOne]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I wonder how they seal the magnesium - it’s very reactive.... more so than beryllium - hopefully they improve the already great clears

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@CWoodOne yeah that is a good question.

[@zencortgaming6020]

I love u david.. 😘

[@shams350z]

Great review but R2R doesn't mean "resistor to resistor". R2R name comes from the ratio of resistor network in these dacs which is 1R:2R.

[@TheElverma]

R-2R, not R2R. The R-2R structure of resistors creates a ladder-like structure.