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Non Analytical Sounding DAC Upgrade- Budget $1,500 or less

After upgrading my speakers and turntable over the last 3 years it's time to get rid of my nearly 7-year old Beresford DAC. I originally started with a budget of $750 or less, but after researching possible options it seems like $1,500 might be more realistic. This will be in my dedicated 2 channel system. 80% listening through speakers and the rest through headphones. Analog is about 50% of listening, the 50% that is digital is mostly standard res streaming (via Roon/Tidal) or physical CD (using Oppo player as transport) with some higher res stuff tossed in. Music is mostly classic rock, prog, jazz, classical.

Downstream is NAD326 Integrated and Tekton Enzo XL speakers. I'll probably upgrade the amp in the next year. The speakers are long-term keepers.

I want something that gives a nice detailed sound-stage. Being a fan of good vinyl playback I'm not looking for an overly analytical sound. Because of that it seems like a R2R dac might be a better fit. I know there's lots of choices so hoping you can help to narrow the list down to a manageable number. Here's what's on the list so far:

  1. MHDT Orchid or Pagoda
  2. Denafrips Ares 2
  3. Musical Paradise MP-D2
  4. Soekris dac1541
I'm definitely open to other suggestions.

Thanks in advance!
ruleof72
jaylat
9 posts
 
The Sparkler Audio S504 DAC has a great analogue sound. Had it over a year and highly recommend it. Also just got the RME ADI-2 for my other system and that sounds great so far as well. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,840 posts
 
So glad to read of all these great DAC options! I'm struggling to understand what "analytical" means to different people. For those mentioning units they like, I'd be curious about what they sound like and why you think they satisfy the poster's question for a non-analytical sound.
ianrodger
164 posts
 
@hilde45   Analytical to me means bright, shrill, harsh, sometimes lacking in fullness. Out of tonal balance if you like.

It's what the sound was like when using a Rega DAC in my system. Of course, it depended on the source, some songs being not so harsh as others.
I realised I wasn't enjoying my listening sessions so much anymore. It had got to the stage where I couldn't stand listening to some music so avoided it even though they were some of my favourite artists. This is not a good place to be in.

When I changed the Rega out for a Denafrips Ares, all of that harshness vanished. The bass had some real tuneful heft to it and the treble was much more natural sounding without sounding as though it was artificially rounded off. It sounded......fuller.
Previously really bad sounding tracks were now much more pleasant to listen to.

When I upgraded to the Denafrips Pontus DAC I was even happier and remain so.

If the Denafrips family colours the music, as mentioned above in one reply, it does so in a wonderful way.
Ian
akgwhiz
177 posts
 
@ken7, of the Orchid mods, do you know which may have yielded the greatest bang for buck, or ease of installation?  Did you try other tubes first, can you comment on their sound?  I have this unit and love it but who doesn't love to tweak something for the right price/reward ratio.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,840 posts
 
Thanks, @ianrodger. I didn't know "analytical" was a negative — I thought it meant toward the more crisp, clean, maybe lighter side of the spectrum — which was a set of characteristics some people like. Now I realize it's a cluster of negative qualities (in your definition). The OP said "overly analytical" but I suspect that you mean that — not all analytical is bad, but too much is…well, too much!

@ken7, I second the question by akgwhiz about the Orchid. I'm interested in playing around with it, too.

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