I suspect that this is very system dependent. Before upgrading to my Rogue Audio RP9 and Apollo Dark mono blocks, I thought the Chord Dave was excellent. Once I upgraded, I then could hear the "cloudiness" and the relatively small soundstage. I tried the Briscati and the dCS Rossini and bought the latter. The sound stage is wide AND deep. The noise level is sufficiently low that there is clear articulation and separation, the presentation is either in my room (typical of jazz recordings) or about 10th row center in a concert venue (classical) depending on recording. The timber is accurate and NOT clinical or "cold" (but remember, I have an all tube preamp and amps and Sonus faber Amati Tradition speakers).
At the price level of these DACs, an audition in YOUR home/system is mandatory because of the numerous variables. (The Rossini actually sounds better on my system than it did at the dealer with his Boulder preamp/amp and Wilson Alexa speakers-- at least to my taste.)
At the price level of these DACs, an audition in YOUR home/system is mandatory because of the numerous variables. (The Rossini actually sounds better on my system than it did at the dealer with his Boulder preamp/amp and Wilson Alexa speakers-- at least to my taste.)