Another new DAC: Audio Mirror

Nice review teajay!Glad to see this dac emerging from under the radar and getting some press.

Thank you kray for making time to post your thoughts.It really is a huge help for those who are trying to make a decision.I've never heard the Orchid but it was on my list before going with the AM last year.I agree that the dimensionality is outstanding.

I've got only about 35hours on my new Tubadour iii (Dueland caps) and it's sounding really really good.There's the tiniest bit of hash over some of the vocals but of course I'm listening for it and being extra critical.It's just an open, organic,dynamic sound.Excellent separation and detail but doesn't highlight any one frequency band.
My equipment is all tubed so I've been playing a CD on repeat quietly every day for 3-4hours then listening for what changed that day for a couple of tracks.Today it was sounding so clear and beautiful with acoustic music I thought I'd throw it a challenge - The Blues Brothers soundtrack,which I've always considered almost unlistenable.Sigh.....let's see if Aretha will make my ears bleed again.I cranked up the volume and just could not believe what I was hearing.Aretha was fabulous!Put it back on track 1and thoroughly enjoyed the entire disc.Season of the Witch by Dr. John was just incredible,so many layers in that song and little percussion sounds.As jmolsberg said "holy smokes!"
I'm sure there are other dacs that can do this,that,and the other better(more sparkle,more bass,etc) but not everything better.You know how that goes - improve one aspect but lose another.I'm very glad I took a chance on the Tubadour.It was really difficult to choose what to try among the several well thought of R2R dacs.I actually was expecting to try two or three before discovering "the one".

No fuse swapping for me.I'm just not comfortable poking around inside my components.Cables,tubes,and isolation gizmos are more my speed.

Congrats!It is a fine dac for sure.

jmolsberg mine was a little grainy for a while too,but it very slowly faded away.It seems to be very sensitive/responsive to tube and cabling changes.Fun to play around with:-)A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you!

@mesch  a belated congrats!Looking forward to your impressions:-)

Definitely looking forward to the comparison.The Orchid was on my short list before I decided to buy the Tubadour.
@mesch looking forward to your thoughts as your unit breaks in.What cable do you have between the CXC and Tubadour?

When/if you decide to audition different cables,take a look at Silnote.After trying quite a few that's the one that really stands out and works well with these two components.Instruments and vocals are distinct with no smearing even with complicated music.I won't blather on about all of the things it gets right,but it's definitely one to keep in mind.

Thanks for sharing your first impressions teajay!I've also found the Tubadour to be very responsive to tube and cable changes.Also @vassils appreciate you sharing your experience.It really helps those of us who don't have the opportunity to audition everything on our short lists before choosing.

@musichead the best cable I've found between the AM and CXC is a Silnote Morpheus lll.The separation between the instruments and vocals,tone,timbre,and lack of glare is really excellent.I've tried quite a few in the past six months and it is head and shoulders above the rest.Give it a try.

I've tried several ECC88 tubes.They all sound good to me,just different from each other.One thing they have in common is there is a wider and taller soundstage.