The best cost no object tube DAC


Hi agoners,

I just upgraded my system from Mcintosh MC75+C22 amp/pre to Accuphase A-250 monoblocks with C-3900 (right now still using pre function from a loaner E-650 while waiting for C-3900 to arrive). Source is Kuzma XL DC for analog and Cary DMS-600 for digital (Used to be dCS Bartok but I didn’t like it for the price compared to my dirt cheap Cary DMS-600 which I bought pre owned).


The sound quality is night and day difference between my previous setup and the latest one, I have no regret at all as Accuphase is the only SS brand that can tickle my fancy and made me a convert from tube to SS. However, I have to admit that I still miss some tube signature on my music, particularly in the mid range department. I originally wanted to use tube preamp instead of Accuphase C-3900 but I didn’t want to take a risk at this price level of equipment and ultimately decided to just stick with one brand in the power and control department, I also want DG-68 in the future, an ultra high end digital voicing equalizer from Accuphase and it’s full functionality is only possible with Accuphase to Accuphase combo.


The big question is, if I really want to add a bit of tube sound properties on my system, does it make sense to do it from the source? In this case the DAC? If that will work, what would be the best tube based DAC at cost no object level and is Roon Ready? I considered Lampizator but have no detailed informations about it. The website is a bit confusing to me.


Thanks in advance for any advice 🙏
uwiikz

Showing 7 responses by uwiikz

Sorry forgot to mention, the tube DAC have to handle DSD/PCM and Roon Ready if possible so I don’t need extra streamer. I don’t really care about MQA. 
Very interested with Lampizator but it’s not Roon Ready. Is it possible to just connect the Lampizator to my Mini PC as Roon Core/controller and ethernet/USB out the signal directly to Lampizator and still play hi res stream? 
Or I am just stupid and DAC is DAC and Roon is Roon. DAC doesn’t have to be Roon ready to play via Roon core? 
Thanks for all the excellent suggestions. I will be away from the forum for a while. My dad just had a emergency heart bypass surgery and I have to help my mom takes care of him.
I am back! Gonna resurrect this dead thread! LOL!! Good news is my dad is recovering well so I have more peace of mind and it’s time to go back. 
Somebody offered me an ex demo Lampizator Pacific in RCA only configuration, but Jadis JS1 MKV is also intriguing and I am strongly considering it. Will report back after some more updates.
During my short forum hiatus I also slowly upgraded the entire system again. Check out my Virtual System