2. digital
  3. 177148-147732

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
w123ale
108 posts
 

OP on a lesser system, I was dealing with the same issue. My solution was a new DAC (Weiss 501) plus using a fiber connection between the Roon core and DAC. The DAC and fiber immediately took the digital edge off the music.

Not sure if this is the case for you or not, but my glare was only present through my digital source—not my turntable—which led me down my path.

I also have a tube pre-amp; tube rolling offers a lot of possibilities to tune the sound.

And most of my ‘80s rock alway sounds horrible!

 

 

secretguy
1,711 posts
 

I have a piece that sounds  sweet/rich/relaxed. It's called a turntable.

ghdprentice
7,022 posts
 

@secretguy 

😊 Good one. Yep, that can be one way.

xboom
24 posts
 

@robert1976

 

If by now you’re still thinking of getting rid of that Mola Mola DAC, please send it down across the causeway where I live. HAHAHAHAHA

 

Anyway, just this 11.11 sales, I bought a cheap China brand DAC (about USD500), runs on dual ESS9038 Pro chips, and had lots of fun swapping op-amps, and I am very happy with the sound now. Sweet, relax, rich, wide soundstage, good focus, warm, fluid, dynamic, attack... you name it! Some people coined this term "very analog" sounding. I never knew I’ll say this BUT I don’t feel like turning it off!! Hahahaha~

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
326 posts
 

Aries Cerat DACS, Especially the Kasandra Ref or Helene

 

 

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