I’ve had my DQ10’s since new, in 1980, can’t believe it’s been almost 44 years (will be in January). In that time, many sources, including Schiit Gungnir and Yggdrasil DACs. Given the abundance of digital sources, Spotify, Tidal and near infinite access to music via these sources, I decided to invest in a high quality DAC and built an R2R ANK DAC 4.1:?

I modified the build with silver input wire and teflon caps, along with US and Russian military tubes, both in the audio section and power supply. I’m also using an Auralic G1 streamer and a Singxer USB bridge.?

In all the time I’ve owned these speakers, the SQ has never been better; I prefer my DAC setup to any other source, my TT, tuner and even my R2R. These Audio Note Kit DACs are amazing; it took a good 400 hours for it to burn in.

I have a hearing issue, tinnitus from hearing damage in my youth and cannot listen if the music is loud. So, I’m using an Ayre preamp with a Bryston 4b3 amplifier and most often listen below 50 db. Even at this volume, for the most part, the music is holographic; the speakers mostly disappear and thanks to the DAC.?

Given all the years I’ve owned and have been listening to my speakers, I imagine they’re my paradigm. I’ve listened to many systems and many different speakers and have not found I pair I enjoy more, except one setup that included Martin Login CS2’s, driven my Boulder pre and amps - was more than a $100,000. Also, I purchased my speaker wires from a reviewer that works for Sound Stage Network, I think it’s called, magazine and when I told him what speakers I have, he said: “Don’t sell them, don’t replace them, they’re fantastic - you’d be hard pressed to find better!”

It is most definitely worth marrying a decent digital front end with these old beauties!?