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Looking for recommendations for a 'warm' sounding DAC

Would anyone know of a warm sounding DAC, budget to £2500/$3000 new or used. My ears don’t like a crisp and clinical sound, I find that Chord/dcs/Topping sound painful if loud. I know many love those crisp leading edges that these deliver but that sound does not synergise with my amp/speakers nor my sensitive ears. I know the easiest way to achieve this would be to switch speakers to a mellow speaker but this option is not available.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
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hondo
22 posts
 
The Border Patrol DAC has warmth.  It uses an EZ80 tube.  The amount of warmth can be modified by tube rolling.  The Mullard EZ80 made in Great Britain is the warmest that I have tried.

I have two DAC's in my main system.  When I want warmth, I switch to the Border Patrol.

The Border Patrol has be reviewed by professional reviewers: Steve Guttenberg, Scott Hull, others.
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