2. digital
  3. 177148-147732

Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed?

Problem
System is nicely transparant and detailed, but tends to get bright and harsh with certain (rock) recordings and at higher volume levels.

Objective
Nudge the system towards a sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation.

Proposed solution / first step
Upgrade to a (tube based) DAC, budget $25-40k.

Current chain

  • ROON Nucleus
  • Mola Mola Tambaqui
  • Gryphon Essence pre amp
  • Gryphon Essence monoblocks
  • Focal Stella Utopia EVO
  • Full loom of Triode Wire Labs cables
  • Dedicated power line straight into Puritan PSM156 mains filter
  • System resides in the living room with some diffusors but no absorption other than sofas, chairs, and some rugs.


On my radar
Lampizator Pacific (or Golden Gate 2 since I heard it's more "tube-like")
Aries Cerat Kassandra 2 Ref or Sig

— What other DACs should I consider?
— Do you think upgrading to another (tube based) DAC will achieve that sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation?

robert1976

Showing 2 responses by chopandchange

chopandchange
44 posts
 

In my experience - the transport is where it’s at - DAC comes second. With a better transport comes a better sound and edginess becomes less and less. My guess is that your DAC has much much more potential.

In my very recent experience I connected (or a competent dealer did) my cheap and somewhat edgy Metrum Octave DAC into a Grimm Audio MU1 digital front end - this totally transformed the Metrum for the better.

In a similar fashion I also fronted my DAC with a dCS Network Bridge which again took the edginess of my DAC (in fact DACs - I also have an AN 0.1x).

If I were in your shoes - I would certainly - without doubt - upgrade your transport and not your DAC.

Or, just go buy a dCS Rossini APEX (DAC and streamer) and be done with it! That thing sounds stunning.

 

 

 

chopandchange
44 posts
 

I’m going to re-iterate that changing your front end streamer is most likely to take away the edginess with your existing excellent DAC.

The aforementioned Grimm MU1 is my favourite for achieving this and it’s all in one box with the Roon "NUC" included in the tin (so you don’t even need to worry about finding a separate Roon Server).

It’s a stunning piece of kit.

Someone mentioned earlier that they replace their dCS stack with it.

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