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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
secretguy
1,703 posts
 

I have a piece that sounds  sweet/rich/relaxed. It's called a turntable.

ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 

@secretguy 

😊 Good one. Yep, that can be one way.

xboom
24 posts
 

@robert1976

 

If by now you’re still thinking of getting rid of that Mola Mola DAC, please send it down across the causeway where I live. HAHAHAHAHA

 

Anyway, just this 11.11 sales, I bought a cheap China brand DAC (about USD500), runs on dual ESS9038 Pro chips, and had lots of fun swapping op-amps, and I am very happy with the sound now. Sweet, relax, rich, wide soundstage, good focus, warm, fluid, dynamic, attack... you name it! Some people coined this term "very analog" sounding. I never knew I’ll say this BUT I don’t feel like turning it off!! Hahahaha~

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
326 posts
 

Aries Cerat DACS, Especially the Kasandra Ref or Helene

 

 

mmhifi
36 posts
 

Border Patrol SE-I. Amazing analogue sounding and musically involving dac.

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