I do not have Linndrum808's extensive experience with as many DACs as he/she, but I can say the Doge 7 is wonderful. I did, however, have a Stereophile class A DAC before and some other great ones coming through my room--all of them lost to the Doge.
The Doge's build quality is fantastic. ClarityCaps used throughout. Great separation of wiring, power, etc. Internal build is clean and beautiful.
The Doge's features are great and work without issue. I run mine all the time. Not an issue. Controls are laid out well. The DSD and USB stuff links to other systems (Roon NUC, computers, etc.) well without issue.
For me, the Doge's sound quality is what has kept it here in my room, which sees lots of rotating gear. I was looking at getting a DAC that could compete with my vinyl side of things: Kiseki Purpleheart, Manley Chinook, and Technics 1200 GAE (anniversary edition/$5k table). It did that so it's been here since. Its job was to make me love streaming as much as my records. I do.
The sound is clear, big and on just on the wet side of neutral--it is not dry, cool, and analytical. It is slightly wet, slightly warmish, and musical. It does have detail and precision--just not at the expense of casting a beautiful musical picture. Instruments though sound just like they should. The soundstage is big and holographic. And while I get no fatigue, it's not laid back or sleepy--it is big, bold and beautiful. There's no sheen, haze, hash, or anything forced.
The stock Chinese tubes are very good but not exceptional. You don't need to roll tubes to hear what it can generally do, but it is responsive to rolling. I have found, however, that it doesn't need super special tubes to open up and sound its best. It can sound amazing with resissue Gold Lions; my private stash of NOS tubes do make a difference but I don't feel they make it that much better as compared to using NOS in preamps.
I have some pieces in my room that I'd recommend, but none that I feel as strongly about at this price point (likely pushing $2k now). This DAC is exceptional in sound, build and value. If you told me it was $5k I'd say it is worth it, but for the understated looks. To be clear though, by understated I do not mean cheap or inexpensive looking; it's a strong build.
I wish they came up on the used market, as I'd buy another to use with friends' systems.
The Doge's build quality is fantastic. ClarityCaps used throughout. Great separation of wiring, power, etc. Internal build is clean and beautiful.
The Doge's features are great and work without issue. I run mine all the time. Not an issue. Controls are laid out well. The DSD and USB stuff links to other systems (Roon NUC, computers, etc.) well without issue.
For me, the Doge's sound quality is what has kept it here in my room, which sees lots of rotating gear. I was looking at getting a DAC that could compete with my vinyl side of things: Kiseki Purpleheart, Manley Chinook, and Technics 1200 GAE (anniversary edition/$5k table). It did that so it's been here since. Its job was to make me love streaming as much as my records. I do.
The sound is clear, big and on just on the wet side of neutral--it is not dry, cool, and analytical. It is slightly wet, slightly warmish, and musical. It does have detail and precision--just not at the expense of casting a beautiful musical picture. Instruments though sound just like they should. The soundstage is big and holographic. And while I get no fatigue, it's not laid back or sleepy--it is big, bold and beautiful. There's no sheen, haze, hash, or anything forced.
The stock Chinese tubes are very good but not exceptional. You don't need to roll tubes to hear what it can generally do, but it is responsive to rolling. I have found, however, that it doesn't need super special tubes to open up and sound its best. It can sound amazing with resissue Gold Lions; my private stash of NOS tubes do make a difference but I don't feel they make it that much better as compared to using NOS in preamps.
I have some pieces in my room that I'd recommend, but none that I feel as strongly about at this price point (likely pushing $2k now). This DAC is exceptional in sound, build and value. If you told me it was $5k I'd say it is worth it, but for the understated looks. To be clear though, by understated I do not mean cheap or inexpensive looking; it's a strong build.
I wish they came up on the used market, as I'd buy another to use with friends' systems.