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A DAC that can make digital sound analog?

Hi All,

I have a ModWright Oppo 105D. It’s excellent....but it sure don’t sound like vinyl or tape.

What DACs have you heard that really work like magic on digital audio files? 

I am interested in DACs that kill that digital glare/blare, that gives you that sense of ‘blackness’ or ‘darkness’ to the audio soundscape, really letting you hear into the mix...ya know that layering, space and depth that is very evident on tape.

Very curious to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!
128x128brettmcee
divertiti
225 posts
 
The one DAC I've come across that makes digital sound as effortless and relaxed as analog is the Lab12 DAC1 SE. It does it without sacrificing holographic imaging or detail, pretty darn incredible.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Interesting thread, there are a ton of days out there and clearly no real concensus.

For any future posters making recommendations, it would be very useful if you also listed what days you've heard in the same system as your recommended product.  Tough to make much of simple "this one's the best" statements without any context (or concensus).
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
*dacs* not days. Lots of those too though.
ianrodger
164 posts
 
R2R? Try and have a listen to the Denafrips DACs.

I have the Pontus and really rate it for all of the virtues that you’ve mentioned.

Good, deep bass, refined treble, lack of digititus and quiet background.
Previously, I was using a Rega DAC
headphonedreams
527 posts
 
The audible frequency is from 20K t0 20,000K according to audio magazines, but in reality, a persons ability to hear falls off rapidly after 16,000K. This can easily be verified by amplified test tones on a loudspeaker.
@orpheus10 it should be 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, the latter is sometimes written as 20 kHz.

You are totally correct that for most of us the hearing drops off earlier than 20 kHz.
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