Boutique caps in oil... reliable?

@grannyring  Nice choice Charles! 

Thanks Bill.

i will definitely let you know my thoughts and impressions. Abbas said it requires 3 months to complete the built, but I suspect it will be a longer wait and that’s okay. His approach and attention to the analog stage, I/V conversion and power supply is methodical and each step based on much listening assessment.

Charles

@jond 

I came very close to buying an Audio Note( AN) prior to settling on the Yamamoto YDA-1 DAC. Back in 2010 Venus Hifi was the USA distrubutor for Yamamoto. He was a former AN dealer and loved their products but said they had so many models for every component in their line.He admired the AN DACs but he told me the at the time the relatively new Yamamoto was a legitimate sonic competitor up to the level of the AN 3 series (His words). 

I trusted him as he used to provide AN components for 6 Moons reviews back then. So long story short I got the Yamamoto as it was considerably less expensive. He said I'd have no regrets. He was right about that, 12 years later and I enjoy it as much as I ever have. I am certain I'd had been every bit as happy with an AN DAC. He said musically and sonically the two DACs were cut from the same cloth. Jon, based on your ownership of both, I believe he was correct. Not identical, but very similar priorities of naturalness/tone/timbre/music flow/pace etc.

Charles 

@roxy54

I became aware of Abbas via a What’s best audio forum thread. From owner and listener comments I became intrigued. Once I began reading the Abbas website (Russian but used chrome for translation) his philosophy, technical skill and approach reeled me in. We exchanged numerous emails and that sealed the deal.

I’ve happily owned my Yamamoto DAC for 12 years due to its natural sound quality and realistic tonality. I’ve heard many “modern “ high tech DACs (Upsampling/over sampling/filters/algorithms etc.) just not for me. I strongly suspect that the Abbas 3.2SE will go beyond the excellent Yamamoto. We’ll see.

Charles

@rodman99999 

Thanks, I appreciate the additional information. I’m curious as an Abbas DAC 3.2 SE is being built for me in the Ukraine by Abbas Zulfugarov. He said he’ll utilized some Blackgate capacitors, Audio Note Tantalum resistors and other selected parts. He holds the Blackgates (Within appropriate moderation he said) in similar regard as you. I always appreciate your informative posts on this forum.

Charles

@roxy54 

I have nothing but good to say about the sonic performance of the Duelunds. Organic, beautiful, and zero electronic signature. Well worth the (gulp) price.

Yes, very impressive natural presentation of music. V-Caps are also very good, it just depends on what one is seeking sonically. I’ve used the Teflon tin foil V-Caps in the past. Duelund CAST is my preference. YMMV.

Charles

@rodman99999 btw: It's been a few years (at least eight) since those Duelunds were replaced.

                     Still: wonderful reproduction/no need for Pampers

Understood. I’ve had the Duelund CAST PIO copper foil capacitors in my speakers and DAC for about 10 years and have experienced zero problems with them. They sound splendid!

@rodman99999 

What makes the Blackgate capacitors special ? I know that they are held in high esteem by many. I lack any experience with them.

Charles