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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
sciencecop
180 posts
 
Metronome DACs are warm and glowing, if you use the tube buffer.
A bit colored, but very pleasing.   
uncle_chardy
18 posts
 
Hello , try the Canary Audio Dac Kd2000. I have compared it against my Cary 306/200 dac . Canary was much more sweeter , more depth and wider. Very close both are very good , Cary is more I would say dynamic but I like the Canary better IMHO. Good luck 
mrkoven
93 posts
 
warm = R2R generally speaking

aqua, rockna, msb, denafrips, etc
twinski66's avatar
twinski66
14 posts
 
I’m dusting off this old thread just in case someone out there is on the hunt for tube warmth in their system.  I stumbled upon the Line Magnetic LM32 DAC.  It adds just the right amount of tube warmth (to my liking) even with the stock tubes which I rolled to a matched pair of Mullard’s NOS.
wharfy's avatar
wharfy
320 posts
 
A Kitsune Holo KTE DAC, Level 2 or 3 would do just fine.
As people upgrade to the Holo Mays, they are available in your price range.
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