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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 1 response by justmetoo

justmetoo's avatar
justmetoo
381 posts
 
I prefer my second-hand Levinson no.36 (R-2R) DAC over my upsampling no.390S CDP. 

The differences are subtle - but important in longer listening, for sure. 

Most, if not all, older hi-end DACs will not have volume control, other than the 'bit stripping' kind. So not an option in my listening experience. 

I got my ML36 for some $500 not too long ago, and for a ~25 year old item it sounds as good as my best sounding analogue - given the right source material. 
However, like this item, older high-end R-2R DACs will of course not be able to decode higher than '20'/48.
I do not listen to streaming so no issue, as well recorded CDs sound fabulous and seriously challenge my pretty hi-end analogue sound (SME 10A tt, SME V tonearm, Ortofon Cadanza Black). 
M. 🇿🇦 
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