I’ve never heard it but perhaps PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC? I’m just thinking about the warmth it possibly brings. Personally I prefer to attain detail and clarity in a DAC and add the warmth down the chain via tube linestage and Class A amp.
Looking for recommendations for a 'warm' sounding DAC
Would anyone know of a warm sounding DAC, budget to £2500/$3000 new or used. My ears don’t like a crisp and clinical sound, I find that Chord/dcs/Topping sound painful if loud. I know many love those crisp leading edges that these deliver but that sound does not synergise with my amp/speakers nor my sensitive ears. I know the easiest way to achieve this would be to switch speakers to a mellow speaker but this option is not available.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
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- 63 posts total
This one might be worth a look: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/sonnet-digital/ I haven't heard it but I have owned 5 of the designer's other DACs and still own two of them. |
@duckworp, I suffer from hyperacusis as well. Mine developed from a virus. I’ve gone thru many speakers and components so that I could listen to digital without issue. I must ask, why are you using B&W’s which present such detail in the highs? As far as a dac recommendation, I think you should try a NOS dac aka a r2r ladder DAC. There is no upsampling, it takes the native data stream and shapes it into a smooth waveform. I own an Audio Note (all tube with no digital filters) which I purchased used. It presents warm, non-fatiguing sonics. Ather highly rated NOS dac is from MHDT. Border Patrol is a Dac that has created a lot of buzz on the forums. It's NOS and uses a tube rectifier I believe. |
I must ask, why are you using B&W’sThese are my old main system speakers which have moved to the secondary system. My wife loves the compact and beautiful look of them. Sonically they are light on bass which is perfect as they are squashed in next to a cabinet and most other speakers would tend to boom. I do agree that they can sparkle a little too much though. |
- 63 posts total