The Retired list is for gear that I haven’t heard in years, has been discontinued or replaced with a newer version, or gear that’s been retired by something else around its price that I like better.
Note: Pricing info is from the time of the review.
Helm Audio Bolt DAC ($99.99) | Review
THX Onyx Portable DAC ($199.99) | Review
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt ($299.95)
Denafrips ARES II ($780) | Review
Mytek Liberty DAC II ($1495) | Review
Denafrips PONTUS II ($1700) | Review
Auralic ARIES S1 Streaming Processor ($1999) | Review
LAIV Harmony DAC ($2700) | Review
Auralic ARIES G1.1 Wireless Streaming Transporter (starts at $3249) | Review
Sonnet Digital Audio Morpheus DAC ($3399.00) | Review
Wattson Madison Streaming DAC ($3500) | Review
Denafrips Terminator II DAC ($4427.00) | Review
EMM Labs NS1 Streamer ($4500) | Review
Wattson Madison LE Streaming DAC ($4995) | Review (July 2025)
Sonnet Digital Audio Pasithea DAC ($4995) | Review
HoloAudio KTE May DAC ($4999.99) | Review
Auralic ARIES G2.2 Wireless Streaming Transporter ($6099) | Review
Ideon Audio Ayazi mk2 DAC & 3R Master Time Black Star ($3900 / $3900) | Review
Jay’s Audio CDT3-MK3 CD Transport ( $4998) | Review
totaldac d1-tube DAC/Streamer (7320euro ex VAT or roughly US$8600) | Review
Jay’s Audio CDT3-MK3 CD Transport ( $4998) | Review
totaldac d1-CD CD Transport: (7500euros incl VAT in Europe, *6900euros excl VAT out of Europe) | Review
Meitner MA3 Integrated D/A Converter ($10,500) | Review
totaldac d1-streamer-live: (11000euros incl VAT in Europe, 10150euros excl VAT out of Europe) | Review
totaldac d1-triunity DAC (€22,000 excl VAT out of Europe, about $23,500 USD) | Review
EMM Labs DA2 V2 Reference Stereo DAC ($30,000) | Review