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Audio Note DAC Owners- please share your thoughts

Hello to All-

Although I’ve been reading this forum for years I’m relatively new to posting here. I’ve read most of the archived posts regarding Audio Note products- unfortunately the majority of them are fairly old.

For the last few years I’ve been wondering about AN DAC’s as I rarely hear about there being any downside to them (other than the entry fee) and have also noticed that they are fairly scarce on the used market.

I’m currently using a Aqua La Scala Optologic MKII and while I enjoy it very much I am always wondering “how good is an AN dac and would it be worth purchasing?”

If you happen to own one of these mystical pieces of technology would you mind helping me understand more about their qualities? Like-

1) I’ve heard they are remarkable when it comes to Redbook playback- flawlessly true to the source

2) I’ve heard them described as warm, some say like syrup and others say neutral.

3) Looking under the hood (pictures) seems straight forward- like old school yet it still competes with the latest designs

4) If you’ve owned one and sold it what did you move to, why and did you regret it?

5) Some folks have decided to pass on the high ticket price and have bought the AN Kit instead. Are these even a close facsimile of the original?

I am very fascinated with this product as it seems to hold a high place in audio gear history- it’s reputation makes it almost one of those things that you shouldn’t have to ask about but I’d like to know a little more before making the spend. Any help on this would be appreciated!

Designsfx

 

designsfx
jc51373
532 posts
 

@tvad 

 

great review of your experiences with these dacs..Thanks for taking the time as many of them are on my short list of dacs for my system. 

Post removed 
kstirman
9 posts
 

OP - you have an excellent DAC. I don't think you'll find anything dramatically better. I do think the AN DACs sound pretty different.

Something in the ballpark that is modern and very affordable is the MDHT Orchid.  NOS, R2R, tube buffered output stage, async USB input up to 24/192. Mine is modified with a crown chip, upgraded caps and resistors, and some massive Duelund coupling caps that cost a fortune. 

Back in '98 I had a DAC3 Signature (OEM) while working at an Audio Note dealership. It was really great and a world away from the Mark Levinson gear that was top of the class in digital at the time. My amps were single ended 300B I had built with a friend. Transport was Sony's top of the line ES player, which was a terrific piece of equipment I could hardly believe was Sony. Cable was hilarious Yamamoto the size of a fire hose waaay before cables of this size became common.

I extensively modified the power supply of the DAC3 with a separate tube rectified power supply that was larger and weighed more than the DAC3. I also experimented with different tubes and coupling caps. Took it around to a few other stores and high end systems of customers and people were totally blown away. Liquid, inner detail, masterful imaging and staging, and the pacing was terrific. Not as detailed some might say.

To me with AN DACs you're mostly hearing the output stage, and so if you like their amps and understand what they do for sound, the DACs bring that to any system.

If you're into tube rolling or modifying gear, the AN chassis is incredibly user friendly. No wonder they use it for the kits.

designsfx OP
794 posts
 

@kstirman 

Interesting story- it sounds like you were really into it at the time, what dac are you using these days?

After many months of reading the experiences of others and waiting for the right unit to become available for sale I moved on and purchased a new Lampizator TRP3. It is (to use your words) dramatically better than the Aqua in most aspects although my opinion of the Aqua has not changed- which is why I’ve chosen to keep it as well. 

 

larryi
4,033 posts
 

I have heard the entire range, including the new top model that is about $156k.  They all share the same basic sound—relaxed, natural, and easy to listen to for many hours without being distracted (you engage fully with the music), smooth (but not dulled in impact or murky in get that smooth sound).

All the models basically have the same digital conversion circuit which is minimalist and use vintage chips chosen for their sound.  The model differences are primarily in the analogue stages and they involve progressively more expensive parts, wire, and more elaborate circuits using their very expensive transformers and chokes.

For their performance, I don’t think the lower level stuff is expensive, particularly because the Audio Note sound is sort of unique.  But, the price does rise very steeply beyond the DAC 3 level.  My own personal preference and willingness to pay would stop at the DAC 4 level (I have too much already invested in a Naim 555 server/power supply/UnitiCore server to convert).

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