Sweet Sounding DAC

This Thread has introduced me to a good variety of suggestions across a broad price range on DAC's that are available, some at very attractive used purchase values.

I would be very confused if I were attempting to produce a shortlist, there is very little way to learn about the Sonic models suggested are capable of.

It does seem the OP is needing to receive demo's of a few types of DAC in systems with hopefully other ancillaries that are quite popular in use. By making it known what type of DAC and System was used for the Demo's, creates more avenues to receive comments on experiences had by others.

The follow up reports that can then be offered, these will certainly jog memories and help others who have had a similar encounter, which may have resulted in making a decision on purchasing the DAC demo'd, or alternatively discovered something else to be more attractive / or more of a repellent. This type of exchange of info, is one that prompts, experiences can be called on and the supply of ones thoughts/recollections on the impression that had been made are able to be offered with a useful and dependable description. 

I would certainly want to know what the Sound being produced is like, prior to releasing the $3.5K - $5K funds. Nobody can describe a sound to the way a listener is to perceive it, this is a seat in from to the device experience only, I do not know any other method to accurately evaluate. 

I feel confident, that if the OP was to sit down in front of my CDT>Bespoke Built Valve DAC > Bespoke Built 845 mono's > Modified ESL Speakers, they would thoroughly enjoy the experience, to the point where they have been very influenced by what has been shown. The complication with this is that the whole system is bespoke, and not understood by non-listeners, resulting in little help being forthcoming.

After the dust settles, there is always the 'but' moment, as the Honeymoon Fades and the reality appears, and it realised something that was uniquely important to them from a produced sonic, failed to manifest just as they like it. 

As an Old Friend, now deceased used to inform me in jest, " when she starts farting in the bed, you now know the Honeymoon is over".😏

I am not familiar with Sparkler Audio as a Company.

Very Tube Like is an interesting description for a SS Product.

Seeing the DAC as a used item that has sold in 2023 for approx' £700 is of interest,

(A Little off Topic), but hence my interst in other DAC's.

I am in the future intending on building a second system and the smaller dimension devices are to be seriously considered, as the System in the space allocated will be most welcome, if easily concealed, or the best very different from the main systems appearance, which has two walls of Room with the system as the dominating presence. 

I have a DIGNA Phon' already allocated for a role in the New system, this Phon' and this DAC will take up a footprint of approx' 1' x 4" (300mm x 100mm). The designer of the DIGNA Phon' also has a Power Amp' of very small dimensions that may be the model chosen, and DIY DML Panel Speakers, for the very easy to disguise nature of these are also contenders. I supplied a sample material to a DIY DML Panel builder, that is new material and structure in comparison to the DIY Builders usual chosen materials. This material has after being tried out, been very well received for its sonic properties.      

@oddiofyl Thank You for pointing out the RME adi2, this is another compact dimension DAC, I will be adding to the Short List.

Positives are it is made in Germany and as a used sale Item, I have now found it for approx' £570. That starts looking like quite a few Tick Boxes are already infilled.

It seems there is also a Upgrade version, maybe this will become a Model that has a third party upgrade kit produced and offered. 

The Link is to a Thread I posted today.

I am nor sure I know what a Sweet Sounding DAC is, or exactly what the OP is referring to by using the phrase.

I heard for the first time this weekend a SS DAC that I would really be happy to live with, the idea for me, that it won favour prior to and during a comparison experience, speaks volumes for this DAC.

Is it Valve Like, 'No'. Does it give the impression it can be listened to for numerous hours without conjuring the feeling fatigue is close at hand. 'Yes'.

Does that mean it carries traits that can be referred to as Sweet. 'I don't know', maybe, possibly.

Was it Cherry Pie, 'You Bet'.   

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2544316

@mdrone Great News that you have been able to receive a demo' of a DAC. Carrying out the footwork and experiencing the sonic being created with ones own ears and evaluating the sonic as a result of perceptions being created is a extremely Valuable  use of ones time, in relation to learning about audio set ups. 

Out of interest the model demo'd being the Synthesis Audio Roma 69 DAC, does not seem to have appeared anywhere in this Thread. How did you discover this model? I see it is with a proportion of the circuit being a design as a Tube Circuit.

Did this get demo'd in a Dealership Premises or the Home System?

I own a Valve DAC with E88CC Tubes and have experiences of it compared to SS DAC's.

I feel very confident in stating this DAC does not create a perception of being overbearing, it has airiness and a voluminous room filling presence, that is always commented on for the attraction it creates.

The sonic trait being described by yourself, after extending listening could become a detractor, as like a overwhelming Bass Bloom, and become a repellent, where listening experiences develop into something to be endured.

Caveat Emptor is always ones friend, try not to pull the Trigger on a purchase prematurely. 

Are you suggesting that your E88CC DAC becomes overwhelming over time?

I am not suggesting this, or is it a experience I have had.

I have experienced E88CC / 6922 Tubes from a desirable vintage during Tube Rolling that can screech and is an immediate repellent when compared to other Tubes during the rolling experience. 

In relation to your post sharing the info' about the demo' you have had.

I'm suggesting your demo' received has left you having perceived a sonic trait.

I do not know if this was as a result of using the DAC in your own system or on another.

It is hard to determine if a demo' is not carried out in the home system, if a detected trait will become more noticeable, maintained to a similar presence, or blended to a lesser presence. The buyer has to live with their decisions made, the musical encounter that is able to be created, is for the best one that is able to be experienced for long periods, not feeling the need to shorten the experience as a result of a sonic being produce by a particular device prematurely causing a listening fatigue. 

Hence I suggest that now the trait is known, it might be for the best, if an experience is had with a few others models to see how these leave an impression.

Hence, Caveat Emptor, or Buy in Haste, Repent at Leisure.