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Scott Nixon Tubedac = WOW

I literally connected my new to me, second hand, broken in, Scott Nixon tubedac + about 1 hour ago and boy am I impressed. It's being used in place of my Benchmark DAC1 right now.

There is more heft and realism thru the SN. The DAC1 is very detailed as most people have reported, however, I have been using the DAC1 since before I assembled my current system and did not realize how detailed it was until I compared it to the SN. It's like not noticing something is there until it's not.

The SN is a very "easy" dac to listen to so far. The best way I can describe it is that it just goes with the flow.

If I were a recording engineer, the DAC1 would be my choice. If I just want to listen to music, the SN is the one I would choose.

Overall, the DAC1 is the better of the two, but the SN more than holds it's own. Of course, it's only been an hour since I installed it in the system.
gherrera1

Showing 3 responses by gherrera1

gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
Yes, the SN is very good indeed and I'm glad I purchased it.

I think my set up might have something to do with it as well. Focal Utopia Be speakers and Krell amplification. With the DAC1, the listener could get tired of the treble at times. A very resolving DAC and metal tweeters don't always play well. What I liked about DAC1 and Krell was that the amp has strong bass, a Krell characteristic, so it countered the leaness of the DAC1.

With the SN, the highs are smoother, not necessarily rolled off, but just smoother and less abrasive. And that's with some "high end" RCA cables from radio shack. I'm thinking of maybe replacing them with Nordost Red Dawn to match the rest of the loom, but it sounds great as is.

Also, after an extended listening session last night, the one thing I noticed was some slight low end bloat with certain material. Maybe a better IC and a different tube can alleviate some of that. Current tube is a JAN/Phillips mil version 6299.
gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
One more thing, don't stack the DAC and transformer...HUUUUUMMMMMMM.
gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
Jult52, I have the 3xac power supply and I think it's more than adequate. It's not a wall wart, but it's own toroid in a matching ABS case. I suspect he 4xac is similar, but with higher current.

You've given me an idea though...since I already have the case, I might just get a bigger toroid and install it myself.
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