2. digital
  3. 184952-131708

Sweet Sounding DAC

Ok, here's another one of those threads seeking DAC guidance.  Certainly, I have started more than my share of such questions.

This search started as a need to find a smaller DAC and streamer due to overcrowding in my cabinet.  Current players Bricasti M3 and M5.  But as I started looking and listening, I realized there is a sonic search as well; just to complicate the process.  As much as I like the Bricasti gear, I have always yearned for a softer- perhaps more tube/ analogue sound.  So the search got  harder.  Here are some of the contestants with my questions/ comments or concerns.  I seek advice from those who actually own or know the gear to follow ,  I will try to be brief.  BTW my budget is essentially what I can recoup from selling the Bricasti gear.  So lets say 3500 to 5000 ( if I sell both pieces). The first 4 I have sampled, the rest I have read about

1.  Wattson Madison;  great size.  Found vocals a little off/ sounded better w external streamer - but then whats the point of the DAC / Streamer

2. Lab 12 DAC: loved the sound; too big a footprint.  Great vocal tone

3. Konus : real nice, still a strong contender

4. Merason Frerot with LPS: not for me ( suprisingly)

5.  Audio Note: would need to be entry level due to size.  Is it good enough?

6. Gold Note DS-10 + Evo.  Looks good on paper; has anyone heard it?  Some dealers are not so high on it

7.  Ferrum Wandla:  looks good on paper but would add a box ( LPS ) to my cabinet.  Anyone hear it?  Word is that is a rich - smooth tone

8.  Audio 11 Sagra:  not much to go on but supposed to be smooth and sweet sounding

9.  Border Patrol:  some love it and some don't.  Cannot fathom who is right.

10.  AudioMirrow Tubadour.  Seemed like a strong contender until a user told me its not that sweet sounding.  More neutral in tone.  I was bummed to hear that. Not sure it has the Lab 12 tone I seek.

I think thats enough to choose from.  

Any insights would be appreciated.  Please refrain from snarkiness....I much too tired for snark,  But I do appreciate the help.

mdrone
jrwaudio
332 posts
 

@ddafoe 

I owned (E30) M3 & (E28) M5  BMW'S awsome cars😄 I own the Exogal Comet Plus DAC (no longer made ) and it's a very sweet smooth sounding DAC  Great reviews and maybe a used one available 

magnuman's avatar
magnuman
200 posts
 

you should try the Wyred4sound 10th anniversary dac, It's about $4,500 US, one of the reviewers put it up against his VPI turntable with a $5,000 Japanese cartridge and he said it was every bit as analog sounding, I bought one and I totally agree it sounds phenomenal and they also give you a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don't like it you send it back and get all your money back, I don't think you'll be sending it back and it's quite small too which fits the bill.

lpretiring
428 posts
 

OP...You stated the Lab 12 has the sound qualities you're looking for. Can you then use the rest of your Bricasti proceeds to upgrade your cabinet to accommodate your preferred DAC?

 

   LP

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

couple quick responses to comments

 

Sonnet Morpheus and Hermes are exactly what you are looking for.

i disagree, i was disappointed with the morpheus... airy soundstage and voices were well portrayed but i heard a graininess to the treble and an ill defined bass that did not compare favorably with other dacs in the price range - i feel the r2r technology is well done in the sonnet but cees cheaped out a bit on its analog output stage... i compared the morpheus in a good friend’s system against his beloved metrum pavane, and we both could hear the pavane is sweeter, purer sounding

 

I was told the Weiss DACs were " brighter" than the Bricasti gear

no, to my ear, my weiss 501 and the bricasti m1se mdx had pretty much identical (an excellent, clear but saturated) tonality, and given the smal form factor and manifold features of the weiss, i kept it, and sold the bricasti

soundwise, i would be very very happy with either when i want that clear crisp pure dynamic sound

veroguy
137 posts
 

With your size requirements, the Mojo Audio Mystique X has a small form-factor that might work for you.  It's the next gen of the Mystique EVO, which got positive reviews.  If you are looking for a natural, organic, slightly warm sound, check it out.

More to discover