What does your DAC sound like

I have an older Denafrips Pontus ll and I really enjoy the sound.  It’s definitely not analytical and it’s not overly warm either. Maybe the super deal comes along I’ll get one of the new Venus 15th addition open box or slightly used.

I bought a Denafrips Pontus 655th edition dac from a member here over a year ago to see what all the fuss was about. It was solid, heavy, well built, but sounded like crap. I was confused. I ran it constantly for weeks and still no improvement. Very disappointing. Packed it up and sold it pdq to a member who never said boo when he got it, since I was crossing my fingers it wasn't broken during my run with it.

It was vailed, grungy, and so boring. What might I have done wrong with it? USB in, analog out to preamp was all I asked of it. Do they have a long break in period (it was used btw)?

Anyways, I still have my Bricasti but am curious about the sound of other brands so enjoy reading of other's experiences.

Happy listening.

We went from the Audio Mirror Tubadour III to the IV to the V and now the Wave DAC. I have never heard anything so transparent, airy or accurate in terms of instrument density and tone.  We compared it in our system with the Weiss Helios, and are very happy with the Audio Mirror.

I struggled with CD as a Source, but when I was to be demo'd and with immediacy agree to the Purchase of Tube Output DAC with a Valve Regulated Power Supply. I have had CD as a Parity Source used in conjunction with an Analogue Source.   

I did tried Denafrips, Musician R2R DAC’s , but the best DAC handbuilt in MN usa I think is Audio Mirror Tube R2R DAC’s. 

I had Audio Mirror IIISE DAC ( one of the first DAC"s ) , so if you think about the parts inside vs DAC cost, this DAC had one of the best and most capacitors you can buy Duelung copper $250 each, vs if you think Holo May KTE have some capacitors hidding the brand and Mundorf cheaper line $30 each and between those capacitors alone sound is very different. Read here the sound: https://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html  , as you can see they all color the sound a little, so Audio Mirror decided to go pure copper Lundhal Transformers ( $600 each I think ) coupled in the next model Tubadour IV is what I have now $5k retail plus some extra’s in the linear power supply ( made in Italy ) and jitter, clock updates and if you think about the parts probably almost a have $ vs retail is the parts, compared like Holo probably 15% is parts, and Audio Mirror probably 40-50% in parts vs Retail cost, and on top you can Tube roll 6922 one tube inside if you like to adjust to your liking https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/faq/joes-tubes.html ( different tube roll ) . I can’t wait till I get the Tubadour V. So my Tubadour IIISE sounded so good, tonality is spot on vs Musician Pegasus  was warmer, top rolled off for sure, only better thing was a little more center image. But When I got IV - oh boy, center image and details in the space came to live, layers in the space with weight, imaging - I could almost touch the singer is like in my room , nothing fatigue and sound liquid transparent ,open, tonality is perfect very neutral sounding. LTE is probably good also, but again - capacitor coupled and not expensive one. Another probably good is HV line from T+A is build to sound like tube, I believe is a good brand to but I didn’t hear them all. But Audio Mirror is R2R and tube and best transformers coupled , Gaia Feet,, Furutech socket ! so nothing in the market I see better yet. Good luck!