Hi,
New to this website/forum.
In search of a DAC thats detailed but not bright and not too in your face. I enjoy gear that leans a little dark and musical in sonic signature. Tone and Timbre are key for me. I have mainly tube gear ( Leben CS 600 used with LTA MicroZotl preamp ) and DeVore O93 speakers. Have had several DACS none of which really did it for me and most of which were at some point fatiguing. Have been intrigued by Vlad's Tubadours but have not ever heard one. So, a long winded question. Do the Tobadour DACs lean towards cool sounding or are they more of the detailed slightly bright sound spectrum? Thanks in advance.
I'd recommend listening to a Merason DAC1. I have not heard one, but from all reviews and user reports I have read it aligns with your preferences.
Tubadour DACs are not dark. They are musical. They don't lack detail, though, and as the iterations progress resolution and transparency (neutrality) improves (at least that was my experience with Tubadour III and Tubadour IV).
My guess, based on your description, is that a Tubadour III may be more to your liking than a Tubadour IV or Tubadour V. It's the DAC that put Vlad on the map. He might build one for you if you asked. Used Tubadour III DACs occasionally appear for sale.
Once output transformer coupIing comes into play (Tubadour IV and V), some of the "romanticism" of the Tubadour III is lost (but resolution and tonal balance improves).
It'd be worth your time to audition a Tubadour (buy one and request an audition/return period). You will pay for round trip shipping if you return it.