Most organic / real / analogue sounding DAC (ideally with Volume Control) for $1500??????


I’d say I’m completely jaded with digital Hifi.   All sounds so thin & clinical.

I people raving about Benchmark DACs & Chord Mojos etc. They sound like hell to me.   Nothing at all like real live voices & instruments.

I’ve been reading about R2R Ladders & NOS.   The descriptions match what I’m looking for.   I want natural sound that makes me forget about Hifi & just listen to the music.
like Reel to Reel without the faff.

Lifelike is my aim, but I certainly prefer a warm, dark sound over clinical.

Don't need a load of inputs.  Only need 2 or 3.
I don’t have any analog sources, so prefer the DAC to have Volume Control to eliminate the need for a Pre Amp.   However, if the best sounding DACs don’t have Volume Control & there are clear sonic benefits to having a Preamp, then I could be persuaded.

I’m in UK btw, so need brands that ship to UK.


Suggestions please?


Thanks

singintheblues

Showing 2 responses by jjss49

am running my own lil dac shootout given the covid time at home

in play:
chord qutest, 2qute, mojo
chord m scaler (in association with certain dacs of course)
metrum jade, octave
ayre codex
mhdt stockholm, orchid w/ a gaggle of tubes
neko d100-2
van alstine fet topp r2r
border patrol
jolida black ice glass (now out for wally mods)
hegel rost and h390 internal dacs

sold/relegated:
rme adi-2 -- image size and depth poor, despite great clarity
schiit bifrost mb -- tone nice but sibilant lower treble
node 2i internal -- rolled muddy slurred
topping d90 -- clear but somewhat artificial in tone