Another new DAC: Audio Mirror

@facten the orchid was bills personal DAC and was told it should have 200+ hours on it. 
The AM I’m trying to ask the original owner if he can give me a guesstimate but originally said “it’s fully broke in”. I’ve heard the AM is good at around 300hrs especially with the duelunds. 

Just wanted to say I currently have a tricked out grannyring Orchid.... and next week I’ll have a AM III SE. so I’ll be able to compare them directly and let you know my thoughts

stay tuned 

@kbuzz you should definitely add the MHDT Orchid stock or modded 
—————-

So I got my AMT 3 SE today.... let it play most of the day without any serious listening. Next changed around my configuration so I could have both the AM & Orchid connected at same time. Both being fed by my Lumin U1 Mini. AM over AES (audio sensibility statement SE) and Orchid over BNC (DH Labs Silversonic). Only problem is I have to manually change inputs. No remote. 

I also just ordered a SR Blue fuse for the AM cause it has every upgrade available except came with a standard fuse. 
I’m using a fully burned in HiFi Tuning Black Cooper fuse in the Orchid. So I’d like to wait for the blue fuse and get some more hours on the AM before I do a serious compare. 

But for the short time I spent tonight let’s just say the Orchid held it’s own very well. Also my orchid is one of @grannyring most heavily modified units. With these upgrades:
- output caps upgraded to Vcap Cutf .01uf and Vcap Odams 2.2uf (4 total)
- 4 large power supply caps upgraded to Mundorf Mlytic
- 8 diodes upgraded to Cree Schottky Diodes
- 10 Audio Note Kaisei caps throughout the unit 
- 13 resistors upgraded with a mix of Vishay Nude Z Foil, Audio Note Tantalum non-magnetic, Mills MRA and Shinkoh
- 4 SonicCap Gen 1 film caps
This should be fun

Has anyone compared the different inputs on the AM? USB vs AES or Coax?

@vassils thanks for the great response. I’m using a Lumin U1 Mini as network transport so I have everything but i2s. And my cd transport is Audiolab 6000CDT. 

I’m starting to compare the USB vs AES. And found out the usb section is an amanero combo 384 board which is a great usb input. 
All my cables are audio sensibility statement SE. I’ve thought about upgrading to their signature series. 

@musichead great to hear the Signature cable was an obvious upgrade!

@audio123 I should have it complete by Wednesday. I got the SR fuse in the AM on Friday and been playing it nonstop. Plan on switching back to orchid Wednesday to make my final comparison. 
Work has been crazy busy for me, opposite of a lot of folk, but I work in tech that helps people work from home/remote, so my dedicated listening time has been less. 

Well let me see how best to describe this comparison...

Fully modded MHDT Orchid (Grannyring’s personal DAC with more upgrades than normal) with WE396 tube and HiFi Tuning black/copper fuse. vs Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE with SR Blue fuse. Both using USB with Audio Sensibility Statement USB cable.

Also using Line Magnetic 518ia SET integrated to Omega Super 6 Alnico XRS speakers. Source a Lumin U1 Mini with Qobuz. 

Trying not to use too many audiophile words... the Orchid was the best DAC I‘ve had so far. From a Soekris 1321 to RME ADI-2, the Gungnir MB to Audio Note Kits 4.1LE.... The Orchid was the best of of both between the Gungnir and ANK 4.1. Not as hyper detailed as the Gungnir.... better black background... but not overly smooth like the ANK, but better detail and air. The RME was too clinical and sterile so not even close to these IMHO.

The Orchid is smooth and musical but has lots of detail and air to it. Such a great combination.
I thought I was pretty much done looking for dacs but the AM was so intriguing and one popped up used, so I snagged it it compare then sell the one I’m not gonna keep. Both dacs have plenty of time on them. Both over 300hrs. 
So short to say the AM does everything the Orchid does right but just adds something special. It’s not night and day, but there’s just a bit more 3D to it. Some of the details come thru with a little more weight to them. The lingering notes and air is a little more prevalent. The AM is my final DAC for now. It’s a keeper. I give it the nod due to the extras it has for future use as well. It has AES & i2s digital inputs and XLR balanced outputs (I don’t have any XLR connections now but nice to know I have them down the road) and Isoacoustic Gaia feet. 
That said the Orchid is an amazing value even with the mods added. If you don’t need the extras the AM has I’d say the Orchid is 90%+ the sound equivalent to the AM SE. it’s really close and a testament to the orchid and Grannyring’s great work. So I’ll be selling the Orchid soon. 
For those wondering I compared the AES and USB on the AM and felt the USB has a slight edge. It uses the great Amanero 384 combo board.

@facten 


" If you don’t need the extras the AM has " - I’m referring to the AES & i2s digital inputs, the XLR balanced outputs, and the isoacoustics gaia feet

Orchid vs Troubadour will be a great comparison! Can’t wait. 

@vassils

 thanks for the comparisons. I had a Schiit gungnir MB and recently had a short list of Orchid, AM, and Audio Note Kits.

I found a great deal on a used ANK 4.1LE built years ago with a lot of ANUK parts and filled with Black Gates. It beat my Gungnir as it’s more musical and enjoyable.

But now you have me wanting to try a AM SE now :D

Any update @audio123 ?

Great post @audio123 

i went thru about 10 dacs several years ago before landing on the III SE. it was my top dac. 
 

then I went thru a phase of selling off all my gear and starting with new dacs. And current day, about 3 dacs later I returned the the Audio Mirror IV SE and I’m done with dacs. It’s so good for the money, there’s no need to look elsewhere in my setup. God bless!