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Conrad Johnson DA2b

I just got one of these and it is a really great sounding DAC. All the info I have found on forums and what not have been from people that have used it with the DR-1 transport and not with modern music servers. I do not have a DR-1 transport, but I have used this DAC with Apple TV and with a Squeezebox duet and I think it sounds quite nice. There is plenty of air and it handles transients quite well. It handles dynamic classical pieces with ease. Transitions show no harshness and instruments sound as they should. Folk music is broad and rich and rock music is full of detail and without harshness. This one has the original GE tubes, but I have some Mullards on the way.
djlebaron

Showing 1 response by rrebello

rrebello
10 posts
 
This is an outstanding dac. It is the best my system to date. I have tried a moderately priced 24 bit dac (stereophile class c), highly rated dac ss & tube 32 bit (stereomojo), and two older Dac. They all sounded good but did not stand out in music production. I have a CJ ET3 SE with ICE powered Martin Logan Purity speakers. I do know the lower gain of the D/A-2b (I like that 2b = tube) is definitely better in my system as the CJ will sing better at higher volume settings. I replaced the stock tubes with Mullards for $60 and added the Monarchy DIP ( a slight improvement with the DIP (more detail) but also sounded great without the DIP).

I have to say, I will not be changing this unit. The layers of texture, wide sound stage, and liquidity of the music is magical in my system. If you can find one, I would recommend a listen.
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