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CAL Alpha DAC: Stock vs. 24/96 upgrade

I recently purchased a used stock (I believe 18-bit) CAL Alpha Tube DAC. I'm considering the 24/96 upgrade. Those of you who are familiar with the sound of both, please weigh in. Also, tubes that you like with either version, what sound do they produce? My DAC came with the Eico/Mullard brand 12AX7/ECC83. Thank you in advance.
routeman21

Showing 2 responses by sufentanil

sufentanil's avatar
sufentanil
782 posts
 
How are you planning on getting the 24/96 upgrade? To my knowledge, that hasn't been offered since 2002-ish, since California Audio Labs has been out of business for several years.

As for the tubes, my favorites so far are the Sylvania 5751's. (It's a lower gain version of the 12AX7.) Not cheap, but definitely a big upgrade putting those tubes in.

Michael
sufentanil's avatar
sufentanil
782 posts
 
I tried the Mullard's and didn't like it. Very syrupy, lacking in details. The Sylvania 5751's, though, provide a very clean, full, airy sound that was a revelation. I agree with the idea of playing with tubes before you throw down $500 for an upgrade that you will never be able to recover.
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