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Ayon DAC or...

I’ve been thinking about buying tubed Ayon Stratos or newer version - Ayon Kronos DAC. Do you have any experience with them? I like their sound quality, design and preamp function, but I’m wondering if I can find anything better in their price range? I don’t have experience with DACs and I didn’t check a lot of them, but I’d love to buy a DAC that I’ll be satisfied for at least 2-3 years..

There’s of course Lampizator from my country, but it costs much more and used ones usually don’t have preamp. Could you please advice on Ayon? Or suggest if Lampizator is indeed another, higher league in this comparision?

 

 

gabriel123
rsf507
2,313 posts
 

My buddy had an Ayon CDP had a bitch of a time trying to exchange tubes. 

gabriel123 OP
4 posts
 

Thanks for your comment :)

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

I bought the Ayon Stealth Xs DAC and CD-TII transport back in 2021.  That combo rocked my world.  I had no idea CDs could sound so good.  Last summer I got the Ayon Kronos.  It has the same sonic signature as the Stealth but more refined and quieter if used as a preamp.  The Ayon DAC responds well to a high quality power cord.  The Ayon gear is very well built.  A 3mm T handle allen wrench is needed to access the 10 captive screws on the bottom of the DAC.  That releases the top lid revealing the beautifully laid out circuit boards and the tubes.  

My curiousity got the better of me and I brought in the AC Hele’ne DAC a few months back to hear it in my system.  I fell victim to the First Rule of Audio and so now I am using the Hele’ne DAC.  I still use the Ayon CD transport.  It is very good with the Hele’ne.

First Rule of Audio:  Your system sounds great until you hear something better. 

gabriel123 OP
4 posts
 

How much better is Helene DAC? Have you tried any Lampizator?

 

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