boy oh boy
this can’t be helping lucasz at lampi in poland ... maybe we have a dealer with too much inventory
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.
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@oddiofyl Thank You for pointing out the RME adi2, this is another compact dimension DAC, I will be adding to the Short List. Positives are it is made in Germany and as a used sale Item, I have now found it for approx' £570. That starts looking like quite a few Tick Boxes are already infilled. It seems there is also a Upgrade version, maybe this will become a Model that has a third party upgrade kit produced and offered. |
Doge 7 MkII tube DAC https://doge.audio/product-category/tube-dac/ Iirc This used to be OEM but is now sold direct. Is this small enough? |
The Link is to a Thread I posted today. I am nor sure I know what a Sweet Sounding DAC is, or exactly what the OP is referring to by using the phrase. I heard for the first time this weekend a SS DAC that I would really be happy to live with, the idea for me, that it won favour prior to and during a comparison experience, speaks volumes for this DAC. Is it Valve Like, 'No'. Does it give the impression it can be listened to for numerous hours without conjuring the feeling fatigue is close at hand. 'Yes'. Does that mean it carries traits that can be referred to as Sweet. 'I don't know', maybe, possibly. Was it Cherry Pie, 'You Bet'.
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- 96 posts total