[jpnz]

Hi!

I've been searching for a dac that gives relaxing, easy on the ear and musical experience, that sounds like you're sitting in a concert hall on the back row
I've tried a couple of NOS Philips tda1543 based dac's, as they are mostly very nice sounding, they have also a more like midhall to front row presentation..
My budget is up to 1000 euro, new or used

 

[AlanU]

You may consider a tube dac. MHDT, Musical Paradise, Jolida would be a consideration for your working budget.

Your demands is screaming musical enjoyment and far from many others that require ideal specification graphs etc.

 

[jimbop54]

R2R Ladder DACs tend to be warmer

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Keep an eye on some AKM based dacs.
Or as @jimbop54 mentioned a R2R one.

I like my Audio GD-28 for its smooth sounding instead of the ESS based dacs.
Its more dive into the music than the clinical sabre sound.

 

[Jandu]

Hi!

I've been searching for a dac that gives relaxing, easy on the ear and musical experience, that sounds like you're sitting in a concert hall on the back row
I've tried a couple of NOS Philips tda1543 based dac's, as they are mostly very nice sounding, they have also a more like midhall to front row presentation..
My budget is up to 1000 euro, new or used

For your budget, try the following :

Audio GD
DI 20 + R2R11 or R28

I think you likely will find what you want. With the R28, you may be able to adjust the sound a bit more with different settings.

 

[AlanU]

If you look into the MHDT line such as the orchid, you'll get holographic sound unlike many solid state dacs in that > $$$$$ to equivalent price range.

I do not sell gear..just to make it clear. Check the 6 moons review. https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/mhdtlab/4/

The vacuum tube adds "even" harmonics that solid state cannot equally match. This is where to achieve such musical qualities from a solid state dacs requires innovative bold engineering.

Another suggestion is to buy a cheap Denafrips Ares ii and "hear" the bold design with R2R construction with serious efforts in using a tonne of electrolytic capacitors and audio grade components.

For fun try out a power cord project for your source equipment that is non shielded.

https://jeffsplace.positive-feedback.com/how-to-a-diy-600v-duelund-dca12ga-power-cable-project/

If you started to listen to vinyl or use more tube gear ......... this is exactly what your looking for. Majority of the 1000 euro solid state dacs will not even meet your needs. I'd be shocked if you were disappointed in the MHDT tube dac line. If you were a high res guy demanding to hear a pin drop 20 feet away you're a solid state hyper detail guy. Don't look at tube gear.

Air surrounding the instruments can be achieve with solid state but that will require substantially more $$$$$.

 

[adamos]

If you’re interested in R2R DACs in that price range you might want to check out a Denafrips Ares II.

 

[jpnz]

Thank you guys for the recommendations! I have bought a MHDT Havana R2R dac, which will arrive after new years day. Hopefully it will suit my needs

 

[bobbmd]

@jpnz if you don't like the one you bought try any of Schiit Audio DACs