ring dac or ’multi-bit/r2r/ladder’ dacs. (the one dac type goes by 3 different names, overall)
that’s the starting point.
then, excellent clocks, and excellent analog and digital circuitry to support those dac types.
Then digital can be good enough to enjoy as much as analog, without having to ’work at it’ (re enjoying). But it takes some doing. Not necessarily expensive, just properly made.
I’ve got a $2-3k modern 20+ bit multi bit dac here (stock, untouched), that I have not bothered to turn on, as it cannot compete with my highly modified 25 year old 44/16 bit multibit dac.
that’s the starting point.
then, excellent clocks, and excellent analog and digital circuitry to support those dac types.
Then digital can be good enough to enjoy as much as analog, without having to ’work at it’ (re enjoying). But it takes some doing. Not necessarily expensive, just properly made.
I’ve got a $2-3k modern 20+ bit multi bit dac here (stock, untouched), that I have not bothered to turn on, as it cannot compete with my highly modified 25 year old 44/16 bit multibit dac.