MUSICIAN Draco R2R DAC Review
An R-2R DAC from MUSICIAN listed at $749.99. The page lists optical, USB, AES balanced and coaxial inputs plus one written as 125, mentions RCA and XLR outputs and an ALTERA control chip, but names no DAC chip and gives no sample rates.
Our verdict
For buyers who want an R-2R design with optical, USB, AES balanced and coaxial inputs and both RCA and XLR outputs at $749.99. Look elsewhere if you need a named DAC chip, sample rates or a consistent listing, since the listing text gives no chip or rates and its care notes name PEGASUS DACs. The main caveat is that the page's sound statements are the maker's claims.
- Best for
- Someone who wants an R-2R design with optical, USB, AES balanced and coaxial inputs and RCA and XLR outputs.
- Skip if
- You want a named DAC chip or a listing free of notes about other models.
R-2R is the headline of MUSICIAN's Draco: the page describes an R-2R network DAC with a main control ALTERA chip and self-developed digital filters. The digital inputs it lists are optical fiber, USB, AES Balance and coaxial plus one it writes as 125, and its usage tips mention RCA and XLR outputs. The listing text names no DAC chip and no sample rates, and one option is listed at $749.99.
Options and pricing
A single orderable option at $749.99 is listed, with no colors, plugs or crossed-out price. Its usage tips advise against connecting the RCA and XLR outputs at the same time because the page says they are shared, and they mention a burn-in period; the same tips refer to PEGASUS DACs, so they may have been copied from another model's page.
How it compares
At $749.99 the Draco sits between the xDuoo Xd-05 Pro at $679.15, whose listing mentions ES9039SPRO, and the TOPPING Centaurus at $849.15, which mentions Bluetooth 5.1. The GUSTARD X18 lists ES9038Pro and Bluetooth 5.0 at $674.10. The Draco listing text gives no Bluetooth.
Shipping
- Methods and costs. The store's shipping page offers Standard Shipping (4PX, Yanwen or Yun Express), free for most countries, and Express Shipping (DHL Express, FedEx or SF Express) at 15-50 USD depending on the country, free for orders over 270 USD in most countries (checked 2026-11-11).
- Large items. The page says headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs count as large items, for which Express is free only for orders over $499.99.
- Delivery times. It says an in-stock order ships within 3 working days, Standard takes about 2 weeks after shipping out (up to 1-3 months for some countries, and the store makes no refund for that transit time) and Express takes about 3-7 days. Festive seasons and other circumstances can change the timing.
- Taxes and fees. The buyer pays any customs, import or processing fees. The page says Standard via YunExpress is tax-inclusive for some countries, that remote areas can carry extra Express charges, and that a parcel refused or left uncollected over taxes is deducted two-way freight and may be destroyed with no refund.
- Where it ships. The page says the store can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to confirm Standard with the team for your country. It cannot ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses and can only use Express to Hawaii. It does not name the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, so confirm before you pay.
- Lost parcels. If a parcel has been in transit for at least 3 months, the page offers a one-time reshipment or a full refund for orders under $50 and a 50% refund for orders above $50.
Returns and warranty
- Returns. The return page allows returning any non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying the shipping. Email [email protected] within that period; the store asks for the return to be shipped within 5 working days of the RMA instructions and in most cases processes a refund within 5 business days of inspecting it (checked 2026-11-11).
- Opened items. A product opened within the first 7 days after delivery can be returned for the price minus a restocking fee of 35% of its retail value, including when it still works properly.
- Refund or credit. The buyer can choose a refund to the original payment method (PayPal or card) or store credit; with no answer within 48 hours of confirmation the default is store credit, which can also be prioritized during promotions, final-sale events and for items 40% or more off retail.
- Not returnable. Customized products, including faceplate designs, are non-refundable, and the page says the same applies to carry cases, cables, ear tips and other accessories, "due to hygiene purposes". If one item in a package is defective, incorrect or missing, the refund or replacement covers only that item.
- Warranty. The page gives a 1-year warranty on products, excluding carry cases, ear tips and other accessories, and 3 months on cables and adapters, from the date of purchase. It covers factory defects that affect proper function, not damage from human error, negligence, accidents, dismantling, water, abuse or modification (checked 2026-11-11).
- Not covered or limited. It does not apply to items bought elsewhere (AliExpress, Amazon, local dealers and the like), prize or giveaway items, normal wear or colour change, commercial use, or items that were stolen or went missing. Coverage is limited for products 40% or more off retail, for review units and for items repaired or modified by anyone Linsoul has not authorized.
- Claims. Email [email protected] with the order number, the issue and photos and videos of the fault. The store may ask for the unit back for a replacement. It covers shipping for some defects reported within 7 days of delivery if the fault can be shown on video or photo; after 7 days the buyer ships it back. For wrong or missing items an unboxing video of the whole sealed parcel is required.
Before you buy
Linsoul says it was founded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team to bring Chinese HiFi makers closer to listeners worldwide, and that it now sells other makers' products alongside four brands of its own, THIEAUDIO, Kiwi Ears, ZiiGaat and Tripowin (checked 2026-11-11).
We have not read any independent review of this product or of the store. Ratings and owner reviews shown on the store's own pages are the store's and were not verified.
What we liked
- The page lists five digital inputs: optical fiber, USB, AES Balance, coaxial and one written as 125
- Both RCA and XLR outputs are mentioned
- The page names the ALTERA main control chip and describes an R-2R network design
- Only one option is listed, at $749.99
Worth noting
- The listing text names no DAC chip, no sample rates and no output level
- The care notes name PEGASUS DACs rather than the Draco and one input is written as 125, so the text may have been copied from another listing
- The page advises against connecting RCA and XLR at the same time
- The page gives no weight, size or color options
Questions before you buy
What inputs does the Draco list?
The page says the digital input is equipped with optical fiber, USB, 125, AES Balance and Coaxial. It writes one input as 125 and does not explain it.
Which outputs does it have?
The page's usage tips name RCA and XLR outputs and advise against connecting both at once because they are shared. It also says to use the XLR output if possible.
What does the page say about the DAC design?
It describes an R-2R network (R2R array) with a main control ALTERA chip and self-developed digital filters, and it names no DAC chip.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
The return page allows returning a non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying shipping. An opened product returned within 7 days carries a 35% restocking fee. Refunds go to the original payment method or to store credit, which is the default if you do not choose.
How long does shipping take?
The shipping page says in-stock orders ship within 3 working days. Standard Shipping takes about 2 weeks after shipping out, up to 1-3 months for some countries, and Express takes about 3-7 days. Standard is free for most countries; Express costs 15-50 USD and is free over 270 USD (over $499.99 for large items such as headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs).
Does Linsoul ship to the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand?
The page says Linsoul can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to ask the team about Standard for your country. It names no restriction for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, but it does not list them either, and it can only use Express to Hawaii.
What warranty does it have?
The page gives a 1-year warranty on products from the purchase date for factory defects, not for human error, accidents or modification. Coverage is limited for items 40% or more off retail and for review units, and it does not apply to items bought from other sellers.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- MUSICIAN Draco R2R DAC product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul shipping pageStandard and Express shipping, costs and times, import taxes, lost parcels, couriers, trackingRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul return policy and warranty page30-day returns of sealed items, 35% restocking fee on opened ones, 1-year and 3-month warranties, exclusions, how to claimRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul support FAQThe same shipping, return and warranty rules in question form, plus order changes and cancellationsRead November 11, 2026
- About LinsoulFounded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team; names its own brands; the awards listed there are the store's own accountRead November 11, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The page says its filters improve dynamic contrast and timbre and that the hardware reaches a 'HIFI standard'; none of it was checked here.
- The page's care notes (a burn-in period, avoiding RCA and XLR together) name PEGASUS DACs rather than the Draco, and the listing text gives no DAC chip, sample rates, output level or weight.
- We have not read an independent review of this product or the store, and the store's own ratings were not verified. We read the store's catalog description only: a specification table or image shown just on the live page was not read.
- The shipping page names no US, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand times or fees: its figures are general and we could not confirm them for these countries.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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