Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed?


Problem
System is nicely transparant and detailed, but tends to get bright and harsh with certain (rock) recordings and at higher volume levels.

Objective
Nudge the system towards a sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation.

Proposed solution / first step
Upgrade to a (tube based) DAC, budget $25-40k.

Current chain

  • ROON Nucleus
  • Mola Mola Tambaqui
  • Gryphon Essence pre amp
  • Gryphon Essence monoblocks
  • Focal Stella Utopia EVO
  • Full loom of Triode Wire Labs cables
  • Dedicated power line straight into Puritan PSM156 mains filter
  • System resides in the living room with some diffusors but no absorption other than sofas, chairs, and some rugs.


On my radar
Lampizator Pacific (or Golden Gate 2 since I heard it's more "tube-like")
Aries Cerat Kassandra 2 Ref or Sig

— What other DACs should I consider?
— Do you think upgrading to another (tube based) DAC will achieve that sweeter, richer, more relaxed presentation?

robert1976

@cleeds

I am still waiting for your answer to why you are attacking a hobbyist on a hobby forum for calling out a supplier making a post on a hobby forum that included dubious claims. You are doing this to the detriment and misdirection of this topic. You have now made 3 distracting posts. I am sorry you are offended but I won't apologize for calling out dubious claims from a supplier on a hobby forum. Now please stop wrecking the ops thread.

 

 

 

 
 
 

Buying some high end server to stream Roon over Ethernet is a huge waste. If your DAC has a streamer built in, that already solves any problems a server may create.

I agree 100% that room treatments is your next step in trial and error. If you have such a huge budget you ought to be able to do this quite attractively.

Focal speakers are bright by nature. They may not be your cup of tea for rock.

deludedaudiophile

I am still waiting for your answer to why you are attacking a hobbyist ...

Please stop with your accusations. If you think I've attacked anyone please take your complaint to the moderators.