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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 jeffreyw

jeffreyw's avatar
jeffreyw
239 posts
 

The Gryphon Essence is very neutral and revealing, as is the Focal's (maybe even a little bright to my ears!). As another post stated, I think your best bet is an Audio Note DAC. The Aries Cerat Kassandra is one of the best DAC's in the world, but the sound is not as "tubey" as an Audio Note. I too had a similar situation and had narrowed my choice between Audio Note and AC. I purchased the AC Helene which I should have in 6 weeks! I will utilize an Aurender N20 as a streamer.

jeffreyw's avatar
jeffreyw
239 posts
 

This post has gone off of the rails!! The OP wanted to know, "Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed?" We have debated nuclear physics and acoustical engineers for room treatments. If you treat your room, your system will still not "warm-up"! If you have an extremely bright pair of speakers, their brightness will be amplified by creating a perfect acoustical chamber since you truly hear what the drivers deliver. We all spend far more than we should on equipment to recreate a jazz club in our living room. How many jazz clubs are acoustically treated by engineers?? I love the interaction of tables, chairs, glasses, etc., on sound quality. That's what makes the music real!!

Aries Cerat DAC or Audio Note, AN being much warmer. End game and call it quits for the next 7-10 years. Or, spend $200 K (in this crazy economy) and build a custom room designed by engineers and still question, "Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed?" because my room is so perfect!!!

Best of luck on your journey! BTW, great system!! 

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