Smooth sounding DAC?

Audio Note is a good bet. Be aware that with non-upsampling DAC's, you generally get smoothness at the expense of dynamics. The AN can be modded to improve dynamics to some extent as well as HF extension and clarity.

With upsamplers, you can have both worlds, great dynamics as well as smoothness.

Great post Audioengr. I would also add that "smoothness" in many DAC's is achieved at the expense of high frequency articulation i.e. controlled roll-off in the treble region. Not only is tonal balance part of what equates to "smoothness", so does transient response. I think that this is what Audioengr was getting at in terms of "dynamics". A component that lacks transient response will demonstrate a "softer" presentation. While the combination of soft treble response and reduced amplitude of peaks may present a "smoother" presentation, it isn't very accurate or nearly as good sounding as what a well designed digital system is capable of. Sean
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Sean, back in 2001 you wrote:

"...most digital reproduction devices seemed to rob the life out of many recordings that i used to love when i was still "vinyling". The introduction of a tube DAC into one of my systems took digital worlds closer to analogue. This added far more space, air, ambience, body, soul and "PRAT" to the system. Instead of sounding like a stripped and sterilized "clone" of a musical recording, i HAD music again. Much like vinyl before it, there was emotion coming from the speakers instead of just a bunch of "digital data" being reproduced. I found it startling to say the least."

You always post very thoughtful comments. I'd like to know what turned you away from the tube DAC you wrote such glowing things about in this post from 2001 to your present preference for SS?

Well around $1500 used is not a problem.
I like my Theta Gen 3 and GEn 5 very much.
Slam and its smooth sounding actually.

so..........hope this helps

Thanks and keep it comming
Ravi

Tvad: I found solid state DAC's that offered all of the benefits of the tubed DAC's but with even greater speed, dimensionality and control. As such, i moved onto the next level. Having said that, most tubed gear sounds much better than most budget or reasonably priced mass produced digital SS gear. As such, i would recommend that someone looking to upgrade their lower cost SS digital gear either check into a tube based DAC or look for a used SS DAC that didn't come off of a mass production assembly line. Sean
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