1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 197492-194796

Recommendations on a Warm Sounding DAC under $1100.00

Currently I have a Black Ice Glass FX Tube DAC that sounds great, it’s just that I purchased a Matrix TT-1 Streamer Transport, that sounds amazing and appears is not compatible with the Black Ice via USB due to the clocking circuitry in the TT-1.It works great via Coaxial but I’m really interested in trying the I2S input as well as USB. 
My set up tends to be on the forward side and not looking for “The DAC of The Week” that so often is promoted on Youtube, so any thoughts on a warm sounding DAC  that anyone has experience with in my price range would be greatly appreciated. 

skiznfliz
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,563 posts
 

I had a Doge in on trade a while back that I sold for around that price point I think.  It sounded great and was super easy to listen to.  

Alternatively, a used PS Audio or Denafrips will do wonderfully.  

russbutton's avatar
russbutton
515 posts
 

You guys with money to burn kill me.  Pick up a used Peachtree DAC iTx off of EBay for about $250 or so.  Spend the rest on concert tickets.

seanheis1
643 posts
 

Denafrips Ares II with the original firmware. It has a proper power supply (no wall wart).

i have owned the black ice/Jolida tube DAC…i didn’t like it…it was too soft sounding and the volume knob felt cheap….Ares II was a big step up for me.

 

liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound
205 posts
 

+1 for the BorderPatrol DAC...  You should be able to find one for under $1K used.  Very decent organic warm sound.  

mganga
38 posts
 

I have used an MHDT Orchid for a few years now and find it strikes a nice balance between detail and body/warmth.  Good build quality too.  Might suit you. 

More to discover