My iFi Gold Bar! I got this from Japan from a dealer, I was incredibly lucky and managed to snag it at her cost! It truly is like the reviews say, it can replace some desktop setups!
I also own an iFi XDSD Gryphon, and for a while I was using it solely, through USB. Then I went back to the Gold Bar, and WOW! I prefer it more then the Gryphon, it has a fuller sound, everything sounds more forward, especially the low end.
The one thing I don’t like is that it doesn’t have a 0 noise floor. The power supply internals have been upgraded from the regular Go Bar, but still, listening using the super-sensitive Campfire Andromeda’s, there is a hiss in between songs and during very quiet passages. With the right USB cable though (DDHifi Nyx USB C) that shields the power and the data signals individually, I can eliminate the hiss in songs, and only hear it between songs if I listen for it.
Overall, one of the great loves of my life, makes digital bits into sweet, sweet angel’s tears!
I have the same one. But prefer the RU7. Much engaging and with a warmer sound
I had the RU7, but sold it to a friend. He still uses it as his primary DAC for his MEST MKII. He loves it, I liked it a lot and highly considered keeping it, the R-2R ladder DAC is quite unique in it’s warm, analog sound! Its a bit softer on details however, and I prefer how a high quality digital DAC dissects the sound, myself. To each their own!