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Looking for recommendations for a 'warm' sounding DAC

Would anyone know of a warm sounding DAC, budget to £2500/$3000 new or used. My ears don’t like a crisp and clinical sound, I find that Chord/dcs/Topping sound painful if loud. I know many love those crisp leading edges that these deliver but that sound does not synergise with my amp/speakers nor my sensitive ears. I know the easiest way to achieve this would be to switch speakers to a mellow speaker but this option is not available.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
128x128duckworp
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Hi PK,
Your listening experience with the Audio Note DAC is what I was alluding to above. A "natural" sound quality without the over emphasis of the upper frequency range and the leading edge. When it sounds honest and natural your ears seem to recognize it immediately as you described. Realistic as opposed to contrived/hyped up.
Charles
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mlapenta
103 posts
 
I thought my chord qutest is warm and want to hear the tube prima luna as i have their amp and love it.  
timo62
279 posts
 

I would recommend checking out The Chord Qutest also, along with the Chord M Scaler.

Audio Note DACs would be another suggestion to try.

pkvintage's avatar
pkvintage
199 posts
 
Hi Charles
"Your ears regognise it"  I never thought of it that way but that is exactly what is happening. That's a very good way to describe it. As a result of buying the AN 3.1 I ended up buying an M6 phono, a set of P4 mono blocks and a second An system based on an M2 phono. For me I would say that was deffinity a game changer. I use Tannoy MG's. I will eventually end up with a set of AN E's
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