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Most organic / real / analogue sounding DAC (ideally with Volume Control) for $1500??????

I’d say I’m completely jaded with digital Hifi.   All sounds so thin & clinical.

I people raving about Benchmark DACs & Chord Mojos etc. They sound like hell to me.   Nothing at all like real live voices & instruments.

I’ve been reading about R2R Ladders & NOS.   The descriptions match what I’m looking for.   I want natural sound that makes me forget about Hifi & just listen to the music.
like Reel to Reel without the faff.

Lifelike is my aim, but I certainly prefer a warm, dark sound over clinical.

Don't need a load of inputs.  Only need 2 or 3.
I don’t have any analog sources, so prefer the DAC to have Volume Control to eliminate the need for a Pre Amp.   However, if the best sounding DACs don’t have Volume Control & there are clear sonic benefits to having a Preamp, then I could be persuaded.

I’m in UK btw, so need brands that ship to UK.


Suggestions please?


Thanks

singintheblues
bellemusique's avatar
bellemusique
68 posts
 
If you live in UK you may try to find Musical Fidelity Tri Vista 21 on second hand market for 500-700£. Then send it to Pink Faun for the upgrade (new capacitors etc). In total this will cost you less than 1000£ and you'll have a DAC which compares to DACs costing 5000£. I've used this with EAR 834L preamplifier and that combo was the most analog experience I've had so far in digital world. Alternatively, you'll need to raise your budget and purchase EAR Acute Classic. Tim de Paravicini's personal goal was to create the most analog sounding CD player and DAC ever built on this planet.
mmhifi
36 posts
 
Chord TT2(with filter set to 4).  M-Scaler if you want even more real sound.
Digital cables do matter-I use Danacable and QED.
The romantic sounding tube amps are must for digital.
And speakers of course-I founded Proacs are the best,but Harbeth,Spendors,Stirling and
Sonus Fabers are options too.
And cables of course-copper Cardas,Purist,Kimber.
Only system approach works...

extracampine
17 posts
 
Sounds like you want to check out Lampizator. Tube DACs that were developed with exactly what you are describing in mind. For your budget you could pick up a lower end model, or something a little better second hand. 
jsal3689
80 posts
 
I love my RME ADI-2 DAC. it is about $1,200.00. The best thing about it is it has a fully adjustable equalizer you can adjust to any room. Also has great headphone amp. I have a Schiit Magni headphone amp that I just quit using. The only bad thing is that it has so many variable settings. It took me months to get it dialed in the way I like it. Once you do, it's really good. A good friend of mine has a Chord Hugo 2 and is really thinking about making a change. He brought his Focal Stellia headphones over and was shocked how good they sounded with the ADI. I have Klipsch HP-3's that also sound great.
stibi
51 posts
 
Aqua La Voce - a bit above your budget, but worth considering. Beautiful analogue sound made in Italy :)
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