I’m trying to find a good DAC for listening the DSD format (native) and some options jumped out of me:
Gustard AH90 (with AK4499)
Gustard DH70 (R2R)
mac mini + Windows (or Pi, or a different streamer) + Geshelli DAC (J2S, but waiting to see what the new TORC can do).
Generally speaking, I think a delta-sigma DAC would be better, but I’m not sure if the new DH70 implements two circuits, one for PCM and one for DSD, as Gustard says is DSD native.
Of course, I’m talking about DSD 2ch, as the multichannel is a totally different story (and I can afford this cost at the moment). I’ll live with a multichannel PCM (a Pi5 with HDMI can manage 24 bit?)
The new M series are not supporting windows bootcamp anymore. I suggest you run a raspberry 4 as endpoint in case you decide for a Mac mini m4
I’m doing the same. DoP (DSD over PCM) is the same really as Native DSD, there is no pcm conversation. So you could also connect the Mac directly to a dac if you want to.
But before you get a dac think about if you want to run it as it is or use roon/HQplayer for DSD upsampling.
If DSD is the goal then, imho, you should be looking for true 1 bit decoding, aka DSD Direct. Delta-Sigma dacs convert the original 1-bit DSD signal to multi-bit.
What is your budget?
Some options
HOLO Cyan2 ( or any of the other HOLO like the Spring or May)
RMA ADI-2 Pro FS
The only one I’m familiar with is the Roon Ready 8 channel exaSound S88 MKII. The S88 receives the 2 channel or Multi-channel input from Roon via the Network (Ethernet) and the output is 7.1 balanced and RCA connections. Costly, but plays up to DSD 512 for 2 channel and DSD 256 for multi-channel. Worth consideration when you’re ready for Multi-channel DSD
This is a minefield of a subject. You have marketing telling you what a DAC can do natively. Then measurements that either prove or disprove the marketing claims. Finally there is opinion. Plenty of people will tell you there is no point.
The HQPlayer community will be the best place to investigate this. If you have an idea of an acceptable budget you will get plenty of recommendations of DACs with true native DSD capability. You don’t need to be a HQPlayer user to benefit from that information.
I have not read or heard any of the above. Although, keep in mind that the AKM DACs need to have the option for DSD Bypass enabled as a selectable option, not all do and not all do it correctly.
You might find this thread interesting. I just asked there about two DACs, and I think there were measurements and reports of the AH90.
I can only tell you what I have done (any DAC is very personal in sound) and what I have read.
I have read that a pure R2R DAC can only reproduce (limited bandwith) DSD over DOP because it cannot reproduce native DSD by its nature.
I am now using (also for budget reasons) a Fosi Audio ZD3 DAC which claims to reproduce native DSD up to DSD512 + PCM at levels that support any streaming service + what can be reasonably bought.
The only thing I can advice is to go to an audio store with a good range of DAC’s and listen, listen, listen and compare in your favourite configuration.
If you want a high quality DSD DAC you should consider the EMM Labs MA3. EMM Labs was founded by one of the pioneers of DSD recording, Ed Meitner. This DAC won DAC of the year in 2025 in the Secrets Best of 2025 Awards. Here’s their review. EMM Labs MA3i Digital-to-Analog Converter Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com
That’s correct, R2R DACs are hard to implement correctly, so they’re expensive, you get less in return, and I have yet to see any provable benefits to it.
I’d say AH90 gives you the most bang for your buck. Not sure about the analog stage, but the DAC is high-end, it has streamer features over Ethernet (Roon Bridge, NAA, and UPnP), and the cost is reasonable. It has DSD Direct mode, so in theory that’s pure 1-bit without conversion to multi-bit.
Someone recommended you the iFi ZEN DAC 3, which I think looks gorgeous, but at the end of the day, you’re buying a DAC for the specs, not its looks. Spec-wise it’s mediocre, a cheaper DAC from Topping beats iFi in THD+N and dynamic range. The pros are that it has separate signal paths for DSD and PCM, and IIRC it has a better amp than AH90’s one.
To be honest, I have my doubts on whether discrete DACs make a meaningful difference, if you already have a decent DAC, I’d say use that money on something else.
A very good budget PCM/DSD DAC is the Topping D50 III. It has a double (one each ch) ESS9039Q2M chips and support up to DSD512.
I’ve been using this DAC for a year now, using only native DSD, and I must say it’s one of the best hardware pieces I’ve ever bought, quality vs price.
My setup is USB IN => RCA OUT => PREAMP. The DAC is fed by Roon running on a dedicated server where all my music (in DSD) is stored.
I really like my RME ADI DAC2 FS AKM version…easy to find used for well under $1k…got mine for $600 about 4 yrs ago an love it! The excellent headphone amp is a nice plus too!
