Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed?


Problem
System is nicely transparant and detailed, but tends to get bright and harsh with certain (rock) recordings and at higher volume levels.

Objective
Nudge the system towards a sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation.

Proposed solution / first step
Upgrade to a (tube based) DAC, budget $25-40k.

Current chain

  • ROON Nucleus
  • Mola Mola Tambaqui
  • Gryphon Essence pre amp
  • Gryphon Essence monoblocks
  • Focal Stella Utopia EVO
  • Full loom of Triode Wire Labs cables
  • Dedicated power line straight into Puritan PSM156 mains filter
  • System resides in the living room with some diffusors but no absorption other than sofas, chairs, and some rugs.


On my radar
Lampizator Pacific (or Golden Gate 2 since I heard it's more "tube-like")
Aries Cerat Kassandra 2 Ref or Sig

— What other DACs should I consider?
— Do you think upgrading to another (tube based) DAC will achieve that sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation?

robert1976

I heartily second ghdprentice's recommendation of the Audio Research CD9 SE. I've owned mine for several years, and have not heard any digital source in my system that equals its liquidity and the dimensionality of recorded space and images. I bought mine used; either new or used, you can get the sound you want at a price well below your ceiing.

@cleeds

I am still waiting for your answer to why you are attacking a hobbyist on a hobby forum for calling out a supplier making a post on a hobby forum that included dubious claims. You are doing this to the detriment and misdirection of this topic. You have now made 3 distracting posts. I am sorry you are offended but I won't apologize for calling out dubious claims from a supplier on a hobby forum. Now please stop wrecking the ops thread.

 

 

 

 
 
 

Buying some high end server to stream Roon over Ethernet is a huge waste. If your DAC has a streamer built in, that already solves any problems a server may create.

I agree 100% that room treatments is your next step in trial and error. If you have such a huge budget you ought to be able to do this quite attractively.

Focal speakers are bright by nature. They may not be your cup of tea for rock.

deludedaudiophile

I am still waiting for your answer to why you are attacking a hobbyist ...

Please stop with your accusations. If you think I've attacked anyone please take your complaint to the moderators.