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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.
128x128duckworp
duckworp's avatar
duckworp OP
257 posts
 
I must ask, why are you using B&W’s
These 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. 
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Understood. They are beautiful speakers.

big_greg
6,622 posts
 
I love my MHDT Labs Orchid.  I wouldn't call it exactly "warm", but revealing while being very neutral with no digital edge and easy to listen to.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
An R2R DAC with tubes.  MHDT, Tubadour, or Border Patrol. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I like lowrider57's Audio Note DAC suggestion.  No gratuitous warmth but a natural/organic character  I understand duckworp's aversion to components that emphasize or exaggerate the leading edge for "sense" of detail. This sounds artificial. 
Charles 
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