I’m trying out a Topping D90III Sabre DAC that goes new for under 1k.
It uses multiple current top of the line ESS chips and is known for its low distortion and detail.
Suffice it say it lays all recordings bare.
Technically that’s a good thing. It has 3 audio modes: SS, default, and valve.
Default is advertised as detailed and can be brutal with some recordings.
Valve emulates valve/tube sound and takes the edge off.
This is a very useful feature to help adjust the sound as needed. Listener preference and/or sound of the system as a whole will determine which is best.
Valve mode takes the edge off in a system that is highly detailed otherwise.
Other modes may prove useful in a softer sounding tube based system.
All courtesy of modern DSP technology baked in that enables things not possible before that changes the game in regards to how one might tweak the sound of their systems.
Look for more and more innovative features like this coming our way….
Nothing forward sounding with this DAC, however sound will of course vary based on room acoustics, speakers used, etc. case by case.