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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.
duckworp
bsme85
151 posts
 
What DAC are you using now?
mahler123
4,023 posts
 
Bryston DAC3.
duckworp's avatar
duckworp OP
262 posts
 

What DAC are you using now?
So this is my second system - a Naim 180/82 into B&W 804s, which is used only for background social listening. At the moment I use it to play Qobuz via Roon through Chromecast Audio. I would like a better DAC than the Chromecast audio, but the Chord one I tried provided a very detailed presentation which somewhat grated my ears. I suffer from hyperacusis - in my case a low threshold to loud harsh sounds - think kids screaming or dishes clanking, and the Chord and cheap-as-chips Topping seemed to accentuate those attributes of the sound. My main system is fine but that is a very much smoother Vitus/Boenicke set up which is rich and warm and doesn’t aggravate my ears.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I’ve never heard it but perhaps PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC? I’m just thinking about the warmth it possibly brings. Personally I prefer to attain detail and clarity in a DAC and add the warmth down the chain via tube linestage and Class A amp.
mitch2
4,749 posts
 
This one might be worth a look:
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/sonnet-digital/
I haven't heard it but I have owned 5 of the designer's other DACs and still own two of them.
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