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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
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.
supermerio
78 posts
 
I use chord dave with m scaler to my vitus sia 025. speakers
is a wilson sasha 2. The m scaler added a degree of warmth vs
the standalone chord dave.
my main source is an aurender s10.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
Yes @charles1dad , I was thinking the same thing; a 2.1 or 3.1 Audio Note. Based on the OP's price quote £2500, he may be in the UK. There should be a selection of AN DACs on the used market, not to mention many more dealers than here in the US.

hondo's avatar
hondo
22 posts
 
The Border Patrol DAC has warmth.  It uses an EZ80 tube.  The amount of warmth can be modified by tube rolling.  The Mullard EZ80 made in Great Britain is the warmest that I have tried.

I have two DAC's in my main system.  When I want warmth, I switch to the Border Patrol.

The Border Patrol has be reviewed by professional reviewers: Steve Guttenberg, Scott Hull, others.
dsper
658 posts
 
Perhaps an old Theta Pro Basic III.

I run Thiel CS5's and they can sound sharp in the treble if not paired with the right gear.

The Theta smoothed things out nicely for me.

Thanks for listening,

Dsper
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