DAC choices -- help me cross the line


My current DAC is Cambridge Audio Azur 851D driving the two channel speaker system in the study. My headphone system consists of a Bluesound Node 2i feeding into a Quicksilver headphone amp. The plan is to put the CA DAC in the headphone chain and sell the Node, so this means I have to purchase a new DAC for the 2 channel system in the study. Here's what the 2 channel system looks like ...
opticalRendu >> CA Azur 851D (to be replaced) >> Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2 >> Harbeth P3esr

So what am I looking for? Heft, holographic, a bit of warmth, big organic sound, tonal richness. I don't mind sacrificing a bit of neutrality or accuracy. I listen to all kinds of music but am partial to jazz, vocals, classic rock. 

I almost pulled the trigger on a Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ but wanted to take the R2R DACs for a spin just for kicks. I was initially interested in the MHDT Pagoda or Orchid, but their no-return policy is a no go for me. I know some people don't mind, but I really don't want to give my business to a company who doesn't trust its own products.

So this leads me to three final contenders -- AudioMirror Tubadour iii SE, Tubadour iii (regular/non-SE) and the Border Patrol DAC. Really interested in hearing from someone who might have heard at least one of the two, or better yet compared the Audiomirror to one of the MHDT DACs.

Now Audiomirror offers two versions of the Tubadour III -- SE and non-SE, with the SE being a $1000 costlier. Wondering if the sonic improvements are worth the higher $$$ in the SE version. Would love to hear from someone who has had a chance to compare the two.

Also wondering how the Tubadour III regular version compares to MHDT Pagoda. Both are around the same price.

Note: If are going to suggest another DAC, I don't mind. But please make sure it's R2R, < $2500 (used or new), has a return policy, and NOT made in China.

128x128arafiq
The Sonnet Morpheus sounds like it checks all your boxes.
Sonnet is Cees Reutenburg’s new company. You may have heard of his last company Metrum Acoustics.
The Morpheus is the next inline where the Metrum Adagio left off without the expensive case. Hence the retail price of $3200
BTW I used to own the Azur 851 and all the things you described is what the Morpheus does differently from the 851.
Arafiq,
I just want to say that the Border Patrol & RME are both very good DACs.
I enjoyed both.
There are just so many from which to choose, and I don't think you can go "wrong" with any of the above suggestions.
The issue is finding a DAC that coincides with your idea of how music should sound.

Of the BP and RME; the RME ADI 2 was a better fit for me.
I really found nothing "wrong" with that DAC & enjoyed it.
It has a ton of options in tailoring sound & allows a deep look into each track.
It can be sort of "clinical" sounding but not overly so.
Again, it is very clean & detailed. If you want to hear exactly how the track was engineered that should be a DAC you consider. It is entertaining to listen like that.

But ultimately that is not what music sounds like to me.
I appreciate a sweet, emotional sound, a connection with the music, as someone said above.
Yes, that "musical" quality is very important to me, but not at the cost of detail.

I also value spatial qualities; depth, air surrounding each voice or instrument, and solid imaging within the recorded space.

Sounds like a tall order, and it is.
But that's what the search is about; finding the equipment that fulfills our musical predilections.
Enter the Audio Mirror Tubadour III.
To me it hits all of those qualities that I find important in listening to recorded music.

Read Terry English's review in Stereo Times.
His review can probably make it a bit clearer relative to the sound, build quality, etc.  of the AM.

So, you asked about the SE version for an extra 1000.00.
When I spoke to Vlad I asked about the upgraded caps and resistors.

Vlad very frankly told me that unless your system is extremely revealing you probably will not get the full impact of the upgrades.

My system is entirely headphone-centric:
Linear Tube Audio microZotl amp with upgraded power supply and ZMF Auteur, Beyerdynamic T1, and Sennheiser HD800 phones, depending on my mood.
So, how revealing, I don't know.

Contact Vlad. He will communicate very honestly with you.

Anyway, I chose to try out the base model (also budgetary considerations..LOL),
And, obviously, I'm extremely happy with the Tubadour III base right now.

In the future there is always the availability to send it back to Vlad for the upgrades. 

Sorry for the long scribe.
I hope I answered some of your question.
Kind Regards;
P.B.


I enjoy my Audio Mirror Tubadour III very much! It replaced the decent Metrum Onyx, with no regrets.

A vairiable to keep in mind with the Tubadour, SE version or not, is the ability to tailor the sound using a pair of any flavor in the 6DJ8/6922/7308 family of tubes.  It takes to tube rolling very well if you are looking for a diff sound from Vlad's stock tubes (2 pairs of 5977 subminiature tubes, configured as one pair).

@pastorbob, agree with your assessment 100%; btw the reviewer is Terry London (not "English", lol). Are you using the 5977s?
Hi 1Mark,
Whoops, yes Terry London of course, my face is red. Thanks!
He is a well respected reviewer.
If you look at the DAC's he has had for review it is amazing he has chosen the Tubadour III as a reference!

Yes, I am using the 5977's.
I am sure I will eventually get the urge to tube roll as I did with my microZotl.

My "go to" guy for tubes is Andy as Vintage Tube Services.
What is your tube rolling experiences with the AM Tub?