2. digital
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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
snopro
396 posts
 

Hey Robert you have really fine set-up. Your dac isn't the problem. I have the same dac and it is a really good dac. Try some room treatments if you can it makes a big difference. Your Focal speakers can be a little bright with bad recordings. 

Maybe try a better server or a high quality 6sn7  based tube preamp which you can tailor the sound to your liking.

Post removed 
mofojo
2,308 posts
 

Are you trying to get a dac in place of DSP? Sounds like it. Get a top notch dsp and save your 40 grand! It only gets so good with 1 and zero. I would have to imagine a 40k tube dac measures like sh.t. It has to for it to sound all cozy. 

invalid
1,251 posts
 

Oh yeah it doesn't have nothing to do with tubes being more linear than transistors 

mofojo
2,308 posts
 

I’m saying from the OP:

 

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

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

A company that sells this would never send it to a reputable reviewer with measurement capabilities cause it would measure much worse than a top notch 2k dac. At that point it’s mostly a very expensive tone control. Can’t name a model but let’s say 10k on a crazy expensive dsp would get a lot further IMO and be super transparent. Not talking vinyl and tube amps which I understand more. I’m not saying it wouldn’t sound great. I’m sure it would. 

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