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Sweet Sounding DAC

Ok, here's another one of those threads seeking DAC guidance.  Certainly, I have started more than my share of such questions.

This search started as a need to find a smaller DAC and streamer due to overcrowding in my cabinet.  Current players Bricasti M3 and M5.  But as I started looking and listening, I realized there is a sonic search as well; just to complicate the process.  As much as I like the Bricasti gear, I have always yearned for a softer- perhaps more tube/ analogue sound.  So the search got  harder.  Here are some of the contestants with my questions/ comments or concerns.  I seek advice from those who actually own or know the gear to follow ,  I will try to be brief.  BTW my budget is essentially what I can recoup from selling the Bricasti gear.  So lets say 3500 to 5000 ( if I sell both pieces). The first 4 I have sampled, the rest I have read about

1.  Wattson Madison;  great size.  Found vocals a little off/ sounded better w external streamer - but then whats the point of the DAC / Streamer

2. Lab 12 DAC: loved the sound; too big a footprint.  Great vocal tone

3. Konus : real nice, still a strong contender

4. Merason Frerot with LPS: not for me ( suprisingly)

5.  Audio Note: would need to be entry level due to size.  Is it good enough?

6. Gold Note DS-10 + Evo.  Looks good on paper; has anyone heard it?  Some dealers are not so high on it

7.  Ferrum Wandla:  looks good on paper but would add a box ( LPS ) to my cabinet.  Anyone hear it?  Word is that is a rich - smooth tone

8.  Audio 11 Sagra:  not much to go on but supposed to be smooth and sweet sounding

9.  Border Patrol:  some love it and some don't.  Cannot fathom who is right.

10.  AudioMirrow Tubadour.  Seemed like a strong contender until a user told me its not that sweet sounding.  More neutral in tone.  I was bummed to hear that. Not sure it has the Lab 12 tone I seek.

I think thats enough to choose from.  

Any insights would be appreciated.  Please refrain from snarkiness....I much too tired for snark,  But I do appreciate the help.

mdrone
linndrum808
18 posts
 

Doge Audio 7 tube dac sounds very warm.

scthom
22 posts
 

I’m another happy Audio Mirror Tubadour IV SE owner. It has great detail, a deep soundstage, and a little warmth. It also has an i2s input if that matters to you. It’s a real bargain at $3500.

gdt
6 posts
 

You guys need to do MORE research.

Perhaps the industries best kept secret would be the Prism Callia Dac (or any Dac from Prism) An honest DA that is accurate, detailed, and natural sounding. / as in "warm" - Not Tube warm which is a coluration but rather harmonically warm and accurate. Extremely well made as well. Prism Dream DA's were / are the pro industry standard and could be found in any real high end studio. The used market and "audiophiles" in the know have scouped them up over the last 15 years and I know industry people who have silently been getting their hands on them as did I.They also image like few can and match analogue in that repsect also.

(Note: Prism Dream studio dacs were costing between $7500 - $15,000 through their life)  The Callia is a consumer Dac that costs about $3K give or take.

I've been looking for an equal in case mine dies, as nothing lives for ever, and the closest I've come is the AVM MP6.3 Ovation media player, Likely too expensive for most, but their lower line shares the attributes. Next would be SPL Director with bult in Dac, a Pro company with consumer audio line. All 3 of these will wipe out the majority of "Audiophile" brand DAC's in a heartbeat. Prism is like hearing all the best attributes of analogue combined with the attributes of digital. Stop sturggling to enjoy digital and try a Prism Dac !!!

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oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,840 posts
 

I hope the take away here is auditioning a DAC is a wise move, there are so many to choose from in the OP’s bracket 

Some companies will be here five years from now, some won’t. No one knows and it’s a chance you have to take.  
 

I buy a new DAC every 5 years or so ….  I’m going to enjoy that LAB 12 for the remainder of it’s warranty and revisit whether I even need to replace it four years from now.   
 

Digital gets obsolete fast , so given that and factoring in my other components the LAB 12 fit my plans perfect.  I wanted a great sounding DAC with no frills. That also wasn’t out of line with the rest of my system.   

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