Issue solved.
Thanks to all for their valuable input.
The DAC was left on continuously for 72 hours before trying again...and it sounds Mmmmarvoulous :) The tilted upper mids are gone and the sound is just amazing.
Coincident 300B Franks, Cambridge CD Transport, Audience digital and RCA wiring AU24 SE, Wireworld Equinox 8 speaker cabling, and Spendor 5.2 speakers.
Room treatments - bass traps, first reflection point poly foam, ceiling and floor corners poly foam.
The sum of the parts yields considerably better sound than the incremental parts!