LAB 12 DAC arrived and I have to say Wow! Glad I picked this DAC up at half price. Couldn’t be happier with the realism and comforting crystal clear sound. Waiting for some NOS Amperex 6922 gold pins to arrive to see how they perform vs the stock Electro Harmonix 6922.
A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio
I felt strongly that I wanted to inform the Gon members about a new DAC that ranks with the very best on the market regarding performance, but costs around $2,000.00. The Lab12 DAC1 SE was compared to three reference level DACS that retail for over $12.000.00 in my review for hometheaterreview.com and was at least on the same level sonicly, if not better. This DAC from Greece is not just "good for the money" but competes with virtually anything on the market regardless of price!
For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review. If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review. If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
Showing 6 responses by tksteingraber
@macdude I have rolled tubes in my Lab12 ref dac and it has made a difference. In my case it wasn’t because it was too bright. The stock EH tubes just didn’t show what the dac was capable of. I ended up with french made Dario Miniwatt (Philips) E188CC as my favorite but the Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8’ s also sound excellent and are easier/less expensive to buy. Siemens E88CC were good but not as warm and heading towards being on the bright side. I will be trying some Russian 6H23n V rockets for fun since Lab12 designs their equipment around russian tubes. Mine is playing through a Raven Blackhawk now which is a pretty warm amp….i do love the sound of this dac…good luck with it all. |
@macdude they can be listed as RT, RTC, Phillips, adzcom as well and will have the french factory code etched on glass similar to Amperex. Brent Jesse has them in stock under Mazda french brand. They are $$$ Good luck |
@auroravengeance good to hear you found your solution. The Oyaide USB sounds like a good cable. I use an Audioquest Coffee I picked up used and am happy as well. Enjoy your DAC! |
This ref version with the old chips is quite tasty…more lifelike than any other DAC I have heard which isn’t a ton...it is no slouch. @auroravengeance don’t forget to upgrade the fuse big difference! QSA yellow, SR purple to name a couple. I discovered a wonderful Chinese graphene/crystals fuse for a song on Aliexpress if you don’t mind buying from them. As good or better than the QSA yellow to me. |