2. digital
  3. 184952-131708

Sweet Sounding DAC

Ok, here's another one of those threads seeking DAC guidance.  Certainly, I have started more than my share of such questions.

This search started as a need to find a smaller DAC and streamer due to overcrowding in my cabinet.  Current players Bricasti M3 and M5.  But as I started looking and listening, I realized there is a sonic search as well; just to complicate the process.  As much as I like the Bricasti gear, I have always yearned for a softer- perhaps more tube/ analogue sound.  So the search got  harder.  Here are some of the contestants with my questions/ comments or concerns.  I seek advice from those who actually own or know the gear to follow ,  I will try to be brief.  BTW my budget is essentially what I can recoup from selling the Bricasti gear.  So lets say 3500 to 5000 ( if I sell both pieces). The first 4 I have sampled, the rest I have read about

1.  Wattson Madison;  great size.  Found vocals a little off/ sounded better w external streamer - but then whats the point of the DAC / Streamer

2. Lab 12 DAC: loved the sound; too big a footprint.  Great vocal tone

3. Konus : real nice, still a strong contender

4. Merason Frerot with LPS: not for me ( suprisingly)

5.  Audio Note: would need to be entry level due to size.  Is it good enough?

6. Gold Note DS-10 + Evo.  Looks good on paper; has anyone heard it?  Some dealers are not so high on it

7.  Ferrum Wandla:  looks good on paper but would add a box ( LPS ) to my cabinet.  Anyone hear it?  Word is that is a rich - smooth tone

8.  Audio 11 Sagra:  not much to go on but supposed to be smooth and sweet sounding

9.  Border Patrol:  some love it and some don't.  Cannot fathom who is right.

10.  AudioMirrow Tubadour.  Seemed like a strong contender until a user told me its not that sweet sounding.  More neutral in tone.  I was bummed to hear that. Not sure it has the Lab 12 tone I seek.

I think thats enough to choose from.  

Any insights would be appreciated.  Please refrain from snarkiness....I much too tired for snark,  But I do appreciate the help.

mdrone
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

Are you suggesting that your E88CC DAC becomes overwhelming over time?

I am not suggesting this, or is it a experience I have had.

I have experienced E88CC / 6922 Tubes from a desirable vintage during Tube Rolling that can screech and is an immediate repellent when compared to other Tubes during the rolling experience. 

In relation to your post sharing the info' about the demo' you have had.

I'm suggesting your demo' received has left you having perceived a sonic trait.

I do not know if this was as a result of using the DAC in your own system or on another.

It is hard to determine if a demo' is not carried out in the home system, if a detected trait will become more noticeable, maintained to a similar presence, or blended to a lesser presence. The buyer has to live with their decisions made, the musical encounter that is able to be created, is for the best one that is able to be experienced for long periods, not feeling the need to shorten the experience as a result of a sonic being produce by a particular device prematurely causing a listening fatigue. 

Hence I suggest that now the trait is known, it might be for the best, if an experience is had with a few others models to see how these leave an impression.

Hence, Caveat Emptor, or Buy in Haste, Repent at Leisure. 

mdrone OP
125 posts
 

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

No worries I have been sampling DACs whilst reading these online suggestions.

To date have heard - at home for at least one week at a time- the Wattson Madison, Merason Frerot, Lab 12,  Konus 2000 and most recently the Synthesis. Not to mention my earlier Linn Akurate and Heed ( previously in a second home system)

Like many decision this one will be based on several attributes including sound       ( most important), footprint, connectivity, price and how the results of the sale of my current Bricasti.

I appreciate your concern regarding a hasty decision.  Believe me, this has not been a hasty process.

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
220 posts
 

Older thread, but happy to come to the defense of the Gold Note DS-10. I use this Dac with its external power supply and really enjoy it. Running it with a Luxman 590axii Class A amp and Buchardt s400 mkii speakers in my second system in my office. 

The Gold Note DS-10 has some settings which allow one to adjust the sound, but I find it’s default setting is great. I suspect there are Dacs which dig for more information. I would consider the Gold Note dac to be musical vs. analytical.

IMHO its a keeper.

More to discover