A warm DAC?

+1 photomax 👍

Although this may seem suspicious due to the similarity of our names.. I’m in complete agreement with djones, and believe that those of you paying big bucks for old/inferior DAC technology are being duped by manufacturers who are all too glad to take your money. Few here seem to understand detailed DAC and AMP measurements and what they mean, and there seems to be little tolerance for those of us who are able to digest this info and use it to inform our purchasing decisions. 
For example, I use a $250 SMSL balanced DAC that measures better than basically everything mentioned in this thread so far. Best DAC I’ve ever owned.. I feel like some of you NEED it to cost more, otherwise you won’t believe that you’re having the audiophile experience you paid for. That one piece of my system hasn’t stopped me from spending more in other places, it just so happens that recent advances in DAC manufacturing and testing have enabled this kind of value for money. 
For those of you with money to waste, by all means, do so to your hearts content, just know that it’s not always necessary and you could be spending the money on other improvements. 
If anybodies wondering, my name is a reference to the third season of Twin Peaks 😀

I thought digital sourced media was supposed to be perfect!

So, the same folks who OFTEN bash those who talk of the merits of vinyl, are now looking for a “warm” DAC????!

It SHOULDNT matter! It’s digital, right??

Me? I prefer the infinite resolution of analog!

I also have 1038 and Metrum acostics Adagio and I am very happy with Adagio.
You can try used Adagio/Pavano level 3 or Sonnet Audio Morpheus. ALL have been by Cees who is a great guy.

I would highly recommend Aqua Voce. I had similar objective to smoothen a bit my Magico S5 and this DAC did a brilliant job.

Dear larseand, since you already own a PS Audio PW transport I've no doubts in suggesting you to pair it witha very musical, transparent, detailed but still really pleasant Direct Stream dac. I own that couple and they are probably the only fixed point in my system. 

It will be a perfect match for your Focal and you can use it as a preamp as well as it has an accurate voulme control and a lot of digital inputs, moreover if you should acquire any interest in files streaming in the future, you can add the bridge module.

Ciao

Mario

McIntosh d150. Very smooth. 

I run a pair of Primaluna Dialogue 7’s with Tannoy xt8f speakers. I have RME Adi-2 DAC. Works great. I have been very happy with the sound.

Some toilet paper covering the tweeter will do it. If you want to change the sound I recommend the Roon eq.

Why no interest in streaming if you are already playing CDs? Imagine having access to 250,000 CDs, many of them remastered, and/or with a higher resolution than CD.
(Happy user of RME ADI-2 DAC FS here).  

Larseand,
rsjaurr beat me to it. I would suggest a used Metrum Acoustics Pavane or Adagio as well as Cee's latest R2R DAC the Sonnet Morpheus....
I own both and I find them very detailed and smooth with a large sound stage ( Morpheus has more center image focus)
Not for nothing but you might be trying to find a component to tame the beryllium tweeters in those Focals. Maybe it's them you want to replace??? Just a thought

John

If he wants R2R instead of Delta Sigma then Holo Springs or Denefrips Ares are worth looking at.

+1 on that both very good sounding R2R.
PCM, Redbook, 16/44, 24/96, or DXD. is bit perfect when converted by R2R Multibit.
DS (Delta Sigma) can only give you a facsimile of it, and is also bit of a yawn to listen to. But can do DSD or SACD

Cheers George

Border Patrol dac is warm. Tubed power supply. Also the jolida fx glass dac with tubes...both under budget. Also both have very good reviews.

Border Patrol
https://youtu.be/luzW78dp9DY
http://www.borderpatrol.net/DAC.htm

And +1 dougeyjones

I would say my Exogal Comet plus is on the warm side

Didn't Metrum close down?

any of the Denafrips DACs. The Ares is a beauty for the price.They tamed the highs in my system. No loss of them, just better controlled and less fatiguing

Went from a Schiit Gungnir Multibit (R2R chip) to a Lampizator Amber 3 (DS chip + tubes) and it does everything so much better. I was shocked by the improvement having heard only small differences between dacs before. And I used to be a stickler for R2R. Not sure how it measures but it sounds incredible. And yes it did smooth out the top end without taking away detail and clarity (if not adding more).

Point being that you should focus on the sound, functions you require, and synergy with your other gear ... instead of underlying tech (or lack thereof).

Larseand,
    I have a PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC. It is definitely on the warmer side. PM me if you are interested in more info. 

I would second the R2R path. I recently did a post comparing Denafrips AresII with a Topping. I guess I cannot definitely say it is the fact that it was an R2R, but I would describe the sound as producing more natural sounding instruments.  Not sure what is meant by warm but if it's analog and natural or palpable, this DAC did that, for me.

@arafiq , good points , +1.  And even if one was present at the session, your recall of the sound in the studio or venue will color your expectations....
"Warm" is, unfortunately, another vague term.  If you want a 'warm' sound from a digital source, one could 'back their DAC' to a SET, and feed it to some Maggies'.
If that's not enough, one may have to place the DAC on a table top plate warmer....
"A man has to know his limitations...."  The same for audioanything....

Cheers, and good luck, J

Prism Sound Callia.  Warmth with detail and texture while retaining good air.

Another vote for MHDT non-OS.  I have a couple older ones. Very pleasing to listen to.

Black Ice Audio Glass FX Tube DAC DSD.

You might try and find a DAC with tube output by Exemplar Audio.

Schiit Modi 3 - $100
Really. It's exactly what you are looking for. What do you have to lose?

How about a used Rega DAC?

I agree with the recommendation of the Schiit Modi 3.
it is a warm sounding, very listenable Dac.
Don’t be wary of its low price,, it’s the sound that matters and this one delivers. 

I tried the Chord Qutest but the Schiit Gungnir Multibit is much better. Very warm yet detailed.

I second MHDT Orchid

Interesting comment about the Gungnir besting the Qutest. I've owned both and my impression is exactly the opposite.

At the Arizona Audio Video Club DAC shootout last August (well designed, level matched, 0.5 seconds between selection switching using a $100k+ system in a purpose built room), most of the thirty or slightly more participants choose the Qutest over the Yaggdrasil. The Black Ice Audio Glass FX Tube DAC DSD came out on top.

My highest recommendation for your budget goes to the Lampizator Atlantic. I suggest you contact Lukasz Fikus directly @ lampizatorpoland@gmail.com.

Musical Paradise MP D2 mk3.  User can roll both tubes and caps.  And you can use both 12 or 6 volt signal tubes and 5 or 6.3 volt rectifier tubes.  Capacitors are not soldered, just get installed with thumbscrews.  Options include TOTL Crystek clocks and interchangeable AKM or ESS Pro chip sets.  You can find your way to any type of warmth or "musicality" you like.

You may want to check out the Sonnet Morpheus R2R DAC. It’s not on everyone’s list but it’s a wonderful DAC and could be considered “warm” when compared to other R2Rs...

@larseand ,Head over to Audiocircle and check the threads in the Discless Circle for the Musical Paradise MP-D2 DAC thread for owner reviews.

I was in the same search as you a couple years ago and took a chance on the MP-D2 MkII.
You can spec the DAC chip (I'd recommend the AK4497), and run a full range of tubes options. I've settled on a NOS Westinghouse 5U4G rectifier and a matched set of NOS Amperex JAN 7308 tubes. The sound is glorious and towards the full, warm side of the spectrum. Swapping driver tubes to a set of NOS BEL ECC88, yields a very different signature (lighter, more sparkle up top). So, the tube compliment plays a big role. All in at about $1500. You could spend the rest on nice cables. It's worth looking into this hidden gem.

bel canto 2.7 or better yet the 3.7 are silky smooth / musical and all the micro detaisl and dynamics without the digital hash, rigging or sterility.  

Border Patrol or a used Aqua la Voce. Both sound organic and natural. Add a Cardas Cross or Golden Cross interconnect, and it will be organic and warm in a way that you will never get tired of it. I ended up with Aqua and found its combination with Cardas Cross quite addictive.

Another vote for R2R--even more so for NOS.

Another vote for MHDT Labs Orchid w/tube buffer. Very nice sound.

Another suggestion: ditch the USB input of whatever DAC you have & use coax cable coming from a SPDIF converter (there are a number of very good ones). So the USB cable goes into the converter, and coax cable comes out, going to DAC. I use a Musical Fidelity 24/192 converter w/a silver coax cable from Oyaide--and I'll never go back to USB straight into the DAC.  

@alexbpm, what mods of Grannyring's do you refer to? I bought cables from him once, but didn't know he modded DACs.

vinylvalet,

Just curious.
Was the Gungnir Multibit included in the shootout?

I've been happy with my exaSound e32 Mk II DAC, which does DSD and MQA, the latter format being the reason I upgraded from the e12 DAC I'd had before. MQA via Tidal has been a great pleasure.

The e32 Mk II is $2,500, and is returnable I believe; I don't think it's sold through dealers. It won't win any beauty contests but makes nice music.

Chord qutest 

Amazing SoundStage and best of all 4 filter settings some warm and when you change system (or indeed some recordings) with a click of button you can select more precise filter.... 
(Qutest offers Hugo 2’s proprietary user-selectable frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls, available via two fascia-mounted spheres, introducing useful flexibility.) 

It has 4 different modes starting with the Incisive mode which has an ultra linear frequency response and as you cycle through the other 3 modes using the colour changing Filter button it gradually rolls off the top end and essentially makes the sound presentation warmer and warmer still, you get the picture. This should be considered a nice feature as it removes the situation or worry of potentially a too hard, harsh or clinical sound.

rvpiano: No, just the Yaggdrasil.

SimAudio products are slightly warmer but retain the musicality of a good system.  A 280d is likely in that price range.

Ayre CODEX might be what you are looking for.

MHDT Orchid, MHDT Orchid, MHDT Orchid.
After living with several DACs in the past 10+ years I have never, ever, enjoyed my CDs, new and old, like I do now. Soundstage, extension, great bass, warm but not molasses, sweet top end.

I haven't posted much but have been following the Agon Forums for some time.  I too have been thinking about upgrading my Peachtree DAC itx.  
I know this question may start a crap storm but I'm curious to ask those that believe if two DAC's measure the same then they should sound the same then how do you feel about interconnects?  
Do you feel that all cables of decent quality sound the same?
No, I'm not trolling or trying to change the subject.  
This question goes out specifically to djones and dougeyjones.  I'm truly curious because I have been thinking of upgrading/changing my cables as well. Most of my cables are DH Labs BL-1 interconnects but as I added more pieces to my system I have more of a mix of cables some that are no-name brands I got from ebay that were supposedly audiophile quality.

My system right now consists of a Rogue Audio Model 99 Pre with NOS tubes, McCormack DNA 0.5 Power amp, JVC XL-Z1050 CD Player used as a transport to the Peachtree DAC itx.  I also have an Oppo BD-103 for SACD playback, Technics SL1200 GR turntable and PBN DP Speakers.
The Rogue has a built-in phono stage with NOS tubes and I also use a Lounge Audio Copla for MC playback.  

What you’re looking for is a Meridian DAC The most tubelike SS DAC out there. To get the best out of it, cabling is critical however, I have an 808 but the ultra DAC is very similar & likely better still. There’s literally no more musical DAC - but not coloured. Very detailed as well. Arguably the MSB DACs & a few others are excellent too but as for musicality (w/o sacrificing much if any in the way of detail), it cannot be beaten. Please don’t take my word for it. Go listen for yourself. Read the Stereophile review for starters >
https://www.stereophile.com/content/meridian-audio-ultra-dac-da-processor
The DCS Rossini he mentions may be accurate but not nearly as musical having a whitish sound (I heard it with the optional clock). When you listen to it, make sure it’s with other than Meridian cables & of the highest quality. The better Kimber & Nordost Tyr or above work well.