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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
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
An R2R DAC with tubes.  MHDT, Tubadour, or Border Patrol. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 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 
mitch2
3,737 posts
 
Look for a Yamamoto YDA-01B.....the “B” denotes the tubed version.
https//6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto8/dac.html
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Agree with mitch2 regarding the Yamamoto DAC (I’ve owned mine for many very happy years. SS version but utterly organic). I believe that the Audio Note DACs are more available on the used market ( Larger company with far more DACs built and sold). Also in the stated price range the OP can find a 2.1 or 3.1 model and achieve excellent natural sound quality. Terrific value purchased used IMHO.
Charles
jackd
1,043 posts
 
If you are in the EU or UK you might want to look for a used Aqua La Voce.  The S2 version is even warmer than the S3.
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