2. digital
  3. 177148-147732

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
invalid
1,097 posts
 

Oh yeah it doesn't have nothing to do with tubes being more linear than transistors 

mofojo
2,176 posts
 

I’m saying from the OP:

 

“Objective
Nudge the system towards a sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation.”

“Proposed solution / first step
Upgrade to a (tube based) DAC, budget $25-40k.”

A company that sells this would never send it to a reputable reviewer with measurement capabilities cause it would measure much worse than a top notch 2k dac. At that point it’s mostly a very expensive tone control. Can’t name a model but let’s say 10k on a crazy expensive dsp would get a lot further IMO and be super transparent. Not talking vinyl and tube amps which I understand more. I’m not saying it wouldn’t sound great. I’m sure it would. 

deludedaudiophile
493 posts
 

This was solved many posts ago. It was not a DAC issue.

rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 

I'm not saying this would solve OPs dilemma but might be something to consider.

Try to get an Aethetix Pandora Eclipse DAC into your system just to check out.

You might like it and it's way below the money you originally quoted.

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,879 posts
 

I tune out whenever I read the words "full loom" in a hi fi discussion. That's just me.

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