Tube or R-2R DAC for Tube System

I've had very good results with a very rare DAC, a GeorgeMark Audio from the early 2100s. It's a tube gain stage with volume control and an MSB DAC board built in with tube output stage. I drive it with Cambridge CDX drive running into two Monarchy anti jitter stages in series.

Previous to this I used a Melos preamp with built in DAC and a tube output. Again excellent performance. Tubes seem to make good DAC output stages.

I use a Denifrips Ares ii with Vincent Audio Hybrid Pre / Power amps a really nice pairing.  I have tried several tube amps but miss the really low bass I personally enjoy.

It is tough to make generalizations.

amen

@idolindian
It would be helpful if you had a DAC and listed what you don’t like about it and what direction you want to go, otherwise we are just guessing on your preferences. Without context, all we can do is suggest DACs that we like rather meeting your preferences.

Great experience with Aqua La Scala - R2R with tube output stage. It nicely blends with both SS and tube gear. I personally used it with a tube pre (Lamm) and SS monoblocks (MSB). It is detailed, yet very musically enjoyable.