Review on Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC
Hey Gon members,
I just submitted to Stereo Times my review on the new ,and the first, DAC that Linear Tube Audio has just released. For right now I would strongly suggest anyone in the market for a stand alone DAC, regardless of price, consider the Aero. Its build quality, R2R chip set, power supply, internal part selection and the tube based ZOTL analog conversion section leads to one of the most musical and analog type presentations I have heard in the last ten years. Not inexpensive at $3,950, but competes with my reference which sells for $10,000 more. You get a 14 day home . trial. So far no one has returned the Aero after hearing in their system. I go into many details about the Aero in my review, but wanted to give a heads-up for anyone considering a DAC purchase. I believe the Aero is a break through product based on price vs. performance. I'll let you know when the review goes up. Hopefully in the next ten days.
Terajay (Terry London)
@teajay I have always enjoyed your reviews. One of the DAC’s I previously had in my system was a MHDT Pagoda Balanced. I bought it based off your review. I really enjoyed that DAC. I now have a PS Audio Direct Stream MK2. I know the LTA and MK2 are quite different in design, curious if you’ve had the chance to listen to the MK2 and how it would compare to the LTA? Thanks for the heads up on your review, looking forward to reading it. |
@teajay I landed on the PS Audio MKii by way of trading my pre and a DAC for a Lumin P1, I thought I could potentially achieve a jump up in my system by eliminating having a pre, streamer, DAC. The dealer I made the trade with was in Canada, also rep’d PS Audio, when I didn’t love the change, he honored a commitment that he’d let me send the Lumin Back for a Lumin U2 mini and a PS MKii. I then went back on the hunt for a Pre, was between a Coda 07x and PS BHK Pre. I found a BHK local at a great deal so I ended up with a U2 mini, PS BHK Pre and the Mii with a Krell 300 XD for an amp. What sounded the best in my system was a CSiB Coda Integrated I used as a Pre only that was fed by a MHDT Pagoda Balanced DAC. I have been thinking about swapping the BHK and MKii for the Coda 07x and a tube based DAC. The LTA, based on your review seems to hit my sonic sweet spot. Do you think the Coda would pair well with LTA DAC? I have also thought about an LTA pre or Aric Pre. Thanks for all great reviews and recommendations. |
