Buy a new Chord Hugo 2 or a used Hugo 1. No off the shelf dac chips, proprietary watts time aligned filter. Check the reviews on line from the British press.
It is small, portable, outstanding build quality, and doesn't require a high dollar aftermarket power cord. I like it best on battery power only. Plus you get a free headphone amp with the dac!
The Hugo just plain sounds like music on both my very different amp/speaker combinations that I use between summer and the winter.
I am split about 50/50 between analog and digital. The Hugo never sounds digital, no glare, no fatigue either. It has all the detail but never bright or in your face. Piano is especially well reproduced.
My musical preferences are primarily jazz and classical FYI.
It is small, portable, outstanding build quality, and doesn't require a high dollar aftermarket power cord. I like it best on battery power only. Plus you get a free headphone amp with the dac!
The Hugo just plain sounds like music on both my very different amp/speaker combinations that I use between summer and the winter.
I am split about 50/50 between analog and digital. The Hugo never sounds digital, no glare, no fatigue either. It has all the detail but never bright or in your face. Piano is especially well reproduced.
My musical preferences are primarily jazz and classical FYI.