Looking for recommendations for a 'warm' sounding DAC

Yes @charles1dad , I was thinking the same thing; a 2.1 or 3.1 Audio Note. Based on the OP's price quote £2500, he may be in the UK. There should be a selection of AN DACs on the used market, not to mention many more dealers than here in the US.

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.

Perhaps an old Theta Pro Basic III.

I run Thiel CS5's and they can sound sharp in the treble if not paired with the right gear.

The Theta smoothed things out nicely for me.

Thanks for listening,

Dsper

Agree 100% with Jackd. The Aqua La Voce S2 really warmed up my set-up (used it at the time with a Krell SA-400 Integrated into PMC Fact 12 speakers). Bought it used in the US (San Diego area dealer for about $2,700). It did wonders. Later sent it back to Italy through my dealer for a $1,000 upgrade to S3 (which sells for $5,000 last I checked). Since then, I was able to get my hands on a DarTZeel LHC integrated with built in DAC which bested the Aqua S3, but not by much.

thebingster

Ayon Stealth or Stratos. Tube based out put stage. preowned cost is just above your budget.