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DAC to add warmth and fullness to Linn Ikemi

Hi All,

This has been asked before, but perhaps I can get suggestions that include more recent DAC models?

The Ikemi can be absolutely superb, but I'm just curious that I might be missing out on a bit of warmth and fullness. I reckon that the Ikemi would serve as a top rate transport!

I have no experience with external DACs, so I'm wondering what I should expect the current models available up to about £1000 (I'm in the UK).

Linn Ikemi
Music First Pre (Copper)
Bel Canto S300
Lumley Lampros 100

Cardas Golden Hexlink 5C (XLR) CD - Pre
Chord Anthem (XLR) Pre - Power
Nordost Blue Heaven speaker cables
frank115

Showing 2 responses by tobias

tobias
1,534 posts
 
I agree with Ckoffend that the Kora Hermes is a nice-sounding DAC, especially with NOS tubes. The tubes would be key to getting the warmth you want and for that I'd try Mullard or Amperex.

Another one to listen to would be the Apogee Mini-DAC. Warm and full-sounding if your software has it, lots of detail and good harmonics, and personally I think I might take it over the Kora.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Having heard the Ikemi (and liked it very much) I am sure that the Apogee Mini-
DAC as well as the Kora Hermes would provide similar detail.

Since your budget appears to have swollen overnight, Frank115, I'll add one
more unit to the list: the Stellavox ST2. Although I have not done a back-to-
back comparison (one is coming soon), I am pretty sure it is the highest-
resolution DAC I've yet to hear in my system.
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