MUSICIAN Pegasus R2R DAC

[tuna56]

OK, here is my 2 cents on the Pegasus. Currently I have over 700 hundred hours on mine. And, it has been on 24/7 since I received it a little over four weeks ago. For he first 150 or so hours, I was a little underwhelmed at the overall sound. After about 300 hours things started sounding very good to me. At around 600 hours the sound further improved. Now I’m amazed at how good this thing sounds. They were not kidding about it improving with time. Now, I have to say the Pegasus is easily the best sounding DAC that I have had in my system. This is my first R2R DAC. I had no idea these things could sound this good. At this point I would say my hunt for a decent sounding DAC is over, the Pegasus is a keeper. I do wish it had a remote though. Also, I do agree with a previous poster, it does seem to have cabling preferences. Anyway, I could not be happier with the Pegasus.

[sonodynesrp205]

Hello,

I am also buying a new DAC. I choose between Denafrips Ares II, Pegasus and Denafrips Pontus II.
What do you think?

I have an Exposure 3010S2D integrated amplifier and Gallus Audio Portato speakers.

 

greetings,
Simon

[Vhond]

So this DAC is (sounds) better than the Ares II, but what about the Pontus II?

[EddieF]

Agreed with tuna56 that there is further improvement with the Pegasus at 600 hours. Coming from a generation old NAD M51 for past 10 years the Pegasus is a huge sonic upgrade in just about every subjective area you can think of.  Shortly after receiving the Pegasus, I replaced my 2012 Mac Mini running Roon exclusively with a new Lenovo IdeaCentre mini 5i I3 quad core computer. Practically same size and foot print as a Mac Mini. The fan is so quiet you would think the computer is fan-less. It also gives me a solid state boot drive, more horsepower and very key to my music library, the ability to play DSD natively. Lastly, I swapped in a 1m Oyaide Neo d+ class S USB cable which removed a noticeable veil from previous USB cable, along with offering superb clarity and dynamics. It just gets out of the way of the music. Contrary to some reviews I don't find the copper class S cable to be bright at all; at least not with Pegasus R2R DAC. 

[Vhond]

No other experiences with this DAC?

 

It was NOT their cup of tea

 

 

[sonodynesrp205]

On 3/24/2021 at 1:39 PM, sonodynesrp205 said:

Hello,

I am also buying a new DAC. I choose between Denafrips Ares II, Pegasus and Denafrips Pontus II.
What do you think?

I have an Exposure 3010S2D integrated amplifier and Gallus Audio Portato speakers.

 

greetings,
Simon

Anyone?

 

regards,
Simon

[The Computer Audiophile]

18 minutes ago, sonodynesrp205 said:

Anyone?

 

regards,
Simon

Based on my experience with Vinshine Audio / Denafrips, I'd look at the Denafrips products in your list. Can't say which one I'd go with though, given the Ares and Pontus you pointed out. 

[Gladac]

After couple of hundreds hours here is my assessment of Pegasus. My previous DAC Lite-83 (4x BB PCM1704)+ Singxer SU-1.

 

The driver installation on Win 10 PC was straight forward and everything worked flawlessly. 

 

Every aspect of music reproduction is bettered. Better resolution and stereo image/focus, speakers disappeared.  But not like day and night. The biggest difference is bass reproduction. Now the bass is cleaner, better defined with better dynamics.

 

Overall, I am happy with this replacement.

 

Except...

 

When I tried to install the driver on PC with Windows Server 2019, the problem starts with USB installation. In several attempts, the PC did not recognize the Pegasus. Even more the input button for USB lights only when I turn off the Pegasus - very strange!? Obviously driver is not suitable for Win Server 2019.

 

Any advise or help would be mostly welcomed!

 

[olegm]

25 minutes ago, Gladac said:

After couple of hundreds hours here is my assessment of Pegasus. My previous DAC Lite-83 (4x BB PCM1704)+ Singxer SU-1.

 

The driver installation on Win 10 PC was straight forward and everything worked flawlessly. 

 

Every aspect of music reproduction is bettered. Better resolution and stereo image/focus, speakers disappeared.  But not like day and night. The biggest difference is bass reproduction. Now the bass is cleaner, better defined with better dynamics.

 

Overall, I am happy with this replacement.

 

Except...

 

When I tried to install the driver on PC with Windows Server 2019, the problem starts with USB installation. In several attempts, the PC did not recognize the Pegasus. Even more the input button for USB lights only when I turn off the Pegasus - very strange!? Obviously driver is not suitable for Win Server 2019.

 

Any advise or help would be mostly welcomed!

 

 

I also want to confirm that after more than half a year, the DAC performes much better than it did at first. All problems with low frequencies are gone, the DACnow  is much more musical, the harshness has gone. And if at first I thought to sell it and change it for something else, now it is a valuable component of the system, which I don't want to change any more.

[Gladac]

On 5/25/2021 at 4:00 PM, Gladac said:

Obviously driver is not suitable for Win Server 2019.

Sorry, my assumption WAS WRONG! The problem is not with the driver installation, but with the RDS customization of Windows Server 2019. Apologies to Musician! 

[FIndingit]

But is the nos really nos? 🤔😁

[RayWell]

Yes, realy nos and have ASIO drivers (Win7x64 bit). Now i have this one pegasus..
The drivers work stably, but you can't use ASIO and WsAPI at the same time. Connected via USB using the Matrix element X USB card and chord c-line USB cable.

[Gladac]

19 hours ago, RayWell said:

Connected via USB using the Matrix element X USB card and chord c-line USB cable.

 

Hello Ray,

 

Is it Matrix Element X or H (USB card)?

 

What PC and OS do you have if Matrix Element H? Can you describe SQ improvement with Matrix. I am considering the same card.

 

Sorry if I am going off topic a little bit.

[RayWell]

Good day, i'm use Matrix Element H USB card:
https://www.matrix-digi.com/en/products/333.html

[Gladac]

19 hours ago, RayWell said:

Good day, i'm use Matrix Element H USB card:
https://www.matrix-digi.com/en/products/333.html

Hello,

 

Please give us your opinion about element H. Do you have Windows OS or something else?

[RayWell]

I am using win7x64, Matrix Element H USB drivers from manufacturer. I plan to start working on Win10 in the near future.. My player is foolbar2000 (ASIO).

[kelvinwsy]

I am using Matrix Element H PCie card and using a 1.5 amp LT3045 LPSU to inject externsl power.. On Windows Server 2019 Core (Samsung 970 NVME) and WinServer 2019 GUI on Intel Optane .. Both are on AudioOptimizer AO3..

SQ is far superior to internal USB output.. Power input and OS is critical to achieve good SQ.. 

on noisy Win10 Pro on even LTSC SQ is not good enough

I use the H on my older Z170 rig

I still prefer My other USB card Clones Audio SHAAR as the Element H was not handling DSD512 w/o stuttering on my main Gigabyte Aorus Z490 Ultra PC which the SHAAR had no issues

[kelvinwsy]

LT3045 Psu .. damn good for the cost

[Gladac]

Very good and precise description. BTW Matrix support is questionable at best, they claim that Element H may not be compatible with Windows Server 2019!? It however support windows 8, despite the facts that this is an obsolete OS for 4-5 years. I will report later my findings on appropriate threads.

 

This Shaar USB card is probably hard to get in EU.  Any Idea?

 

I agree Windows Server 2019 GUI is superior to Windows 10, with AO 3.0 my Pegasus works like charm.

[RayWell]

Tell me, for Matrix Element H, is there a big difference in sound (USB) when switching to an external linear power supply?
I understand that you have purchased the option from the link:

https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005002697610615.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.55606ee2ZjTxzy&algo_pvid=be8a79ea-0d6e-4686-b148-86c3cf43d70a&algo_expid=be8a79ea-0d6e-4686-b148-86c3cf43d70a-6&btsid=0b8b034e16233373507818081efd04&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_&sku_id=12000021759460135

[kelvinwsy]

Sorry everybody for late response... 

Ok i hv seen that LT3045 Psu too but decided a USB Hub with ultra low distortion was next purchase! So thus is it.. 1st image below

Sorry Shaar is out of production .. 

Martix H wairks with WinServer 2019 Core and GUI .. no driver needed.. the factory driver download fike is incompatible! No matter ASIO Driver of your DAC goes straight thru the H card and is recognized by JRiver MC26 and Hqplayer

My problem with the H card us that insertion into the PCie slot is tricky.. The pcie bracket is misaligned and can prevent proper contact of the H card ! U hv to hear a soft click for correct insertion contact. The other point is 1Amp 12v DC is a bit on the low side for external power to the H . 1.5 amp is preferred!

Big difference using LT3045 power external input vs Mobo power thru the SATA connection.

Aliexpress is on Summer SALE! Pegasus on sale at 989USD! I am joining the R2R club👏👏👏

[kelvinwsy]

I hv a ESS9038pro SMSL VMS D1 dac

a Gustard A22 AK4499 dac

a Burr Brown 1794(i think?) iFI iDSD micro Black Label

PS Audio PWD II (ancient dac)

So a R2R Dac now👍👍

[tuna56]

I noticed the other day that Musician has two new DAC's, the Aquarius and the Draco. The Pegasus is now in the middle of the line. For me, the Pegasus is in the sweet spot and I'm happy to stay with it. Will be curious to see the reviews for the Aquarius though.

[kelvinwsy]

yes but the Draco has few resistors=== poor resolution and detail.. 600 vs 989 ? I will go for the Pegasus.😁Sweet spot like u said

[FIndingit]

There’s a big leap to the Aquarius, which is $2480.