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Relaxed/Analog sounding DAC for under $10k (used or new)

Hi all. I'm currently using an Allnic D5000 DHT DAC which I got to replace a denafrips Pontus II not too long ago. While I do enjoy this dac, it can sound a bit forward in higher frequencies at times and can get a bit fatiguing. The 3A5 tubes are a bit finicky and don't last especially long either. It seems to sound best with coax input and with native DSD files, but my streamer only has USB output, and I exclusively stream via Qobuz with no DSD albums, so I'm not sure it's the best long term match from a synergy standpoint for me. I get the feeling that it was designed around being used primarily with a CD transport, which is not something I am interested in ever adding to my system.

My primary listening setup is centered around analog vinyl playback, so that tends to be my point of reference. I prefer laid back and musical sound versus striving for absolute detail retrieval that can sometimes come off a bit too clinical or harsh to me.

Going through various threads, some things stick out to me - T+A D200, SW1X, etc. I've also heard some Lampizator DACs that I liked (though mostly their very high end models that are outside my budget). I know typically people recommend R2R for a more 'analog' experience, but I also know that that is not the end-all-be-all with DACs, and implementation and intention matters a fair amount more. There are some DAC manufacturers that design their DACs around being used with CDs and don't care for streaming, so their performance is not optimized for use with streaming, etc.

Please do not turn the thread into a debate about the merits of R2R vs D-S. Not really relevant to me and I am mainly looking to see what ideas people toss at me.

Anyway, as a TL;DR, looking for a DAC that satisfies these points:

1. Leaning more musical/analog sounding, with a focus on laid back sound that is non-fatiguing;
2. wide soundstage and fantastic imaging;
3. Optimized for PCM streaming audio + USB input;
4. Ideally under $10k (new or used);
5. Black chassis option

Thanks!

mmcgill829
mmcgill829's avatar
mmcgill829 OP
157 posts
 

@audphile - I do not use the TWL power cables currently. The speaker cables do not run bright in my system. I used the mapleshade double helix for a short period to test and THOSE were very bright. They were very open, but the brightness with those was quite pronounced to me. The TWL by comparison is full and much more natural to me. Granted, I do indeed have SET amplification and a tube line stage, so it works well together. This pairing was done before I made any DAC changes, so introducing the DAC is what introduced the 'complaint' over time.

I agree about the upsampling. Just not where this DAC shines at all.

The brightness is slight usually, but there are occasions where the top end distortion is pretty rough to where I need to turn down the volume quite a bit. Some of it can probably just be chalked up to mastering on those particular albums for the here and there borderline unlistenable distortion, but there's always an underlying 'treble bias' regardless of what mode I use or files I listen to, exacerbated by using upsampling or with bad recordings. If I had a streamer with a coax output, I would try that input instead, since it may be just be a case of the DAC's USB input not being great, but I don't currently, which is why I stressed optimization for USB input on my original post.

Got some interesting suggestions so far. I also got some DMs mentioning some things as well, so some good starting points!

invalid
1,376 posts
 

If you like the sound of the upper model lampizator dacs, look into the space tech lab DA-DSD1024-8X-TUBE dac, it uses 8 dual triode  tubes as part of the up sampling circuit. I haven't heard this particular dac, but I do own a less expensive space tech dac that has excellent sound quality without any brightness. A review on usaudiomart compared this space tech lab dac to a lampizator dac of over $30,000. There is one model above this one in space tech's stable, but it's a few thousand over the budget you set.

mikhailark
422 posts
 

Consider DACs that have MOSFET output. MOSFETs are solid state devices that sound most close to analog. This is common sentiment about Pass Labs gear, for example, although Pass does not make DACs. 

donquichotte
169 posts
 

1. Leaning more musical/analog sounding, with a focus on laid back sound that is non-fatiguing;
2. wide soundstage and fantastic imaging;
3. Optimized for PCM streaming audio + USB input;
4. Ideally under $10k (new or used);
5. Black chassis option

I don’t have a turntable so I don’t know exactly what "analogue sound" means, but apart from this all the above requirements are perfectly describing my MSB Analog Dac with upgraded Analog Power Base, Quad USB and Ethernet inputs. Funny thing is that I’m considering letting this go, so if you are EU based as I am, feel free to PM me. If not, try to find a used one and maybe get to listen to it, it seems to match you preferences to a T. To the above list of virtues I’d add the effortless separation between instruments / sounds and very good bass extension and fullness.

terrapin77
91 posts
 

The AudioMirror Tubadour V should be on the list of DACs you research.  

https://audiomirror.com/product/tubadour-v/

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