Here is my recommendation for your ‘harsh sounding DAC issues.
i bought a LUMIN D1 5 years ago (uses the Wolfson DACS) - unbelievably good sound for 5 years. LUMIN mates the streamer to the DAC and generates the best sound - they have the best I pad interface - gets continually updated by LUMIN via the internet. You just have to hard wire via Ethernet cable to the LUMIN and run to your preamp either balanced or unbalanced ICs.
i just upgraded to the LUMIN T2 - (uses Saber DACS) - sound quality took another leap forward - more detail - bigger soundstage - lower floor - I am relistening to all my favorite albums (Tidal HiFi with MQA ) and I am hearing more detail than ever before.
Do yourself a favor - go with LUMIN and get back to enjoying the music.
Happy Listening
i bought a LUMIN D1 5 years ago (uses the Wolfson DACS) - unbelievably good sound for 5 years. LUMIN mates the streamer to the DAC and generates the best sound - they have the best I pad interface - gets continually updated by LUMIN via the internet. You just have to hard wire via Ethernet cable to the LUMIN and run to your preamp either balanced or unbalanced ICs.
i just upgraded to the LUMIN T2 - (uses Saber DACS) - sound quality took another leap forward - more detail - bigger soundstage - lower floor - I am relistening to all my favorite albums (Tidal HiFi with MQA ) and I am hearing more detail than ever before.
Do yourself a favor - go with LUMIN and get back to enjoying the music.
Happy Listening