I just purchased the Black Ice DAC - so far pretty let down. The bass got really boomy. Can't make the WIFI connect. A/B'ed with my OPPO 105 - the internal Oppo DAC sounds much tighter in the bass. Of course, no returns at Underwood HiFi. Maybe I will try some new tubes. I was thinking about the Denafrips too.
Tube Rolling the Jolida/Black Ice dsd Dac
So I recently purchased the Jolida/Black Ice dsd dac and and a pair of Psvane 12ax7’s. Played thru about 50 hours and while the soundstage opened up some, in my system detail seemed a little rounded off. They probably need more hours, and I recognize these are highly subjective impressions and system dependent, but then a friend gave me a pair of Fisher-era Telefunken’s to play with and I have tons of inner detail, imaging and a wide soundstage. What I do find, however, is I have turn the volume up further on my passive pre-amp. I have a pair of 50’s era RCA grey plates coming next week. Pretty easy to go down the rabbit hole playing with tubes, but that’s half the fun of it. Curious as to what other tubes Jolida dac owners are using. My system: NuForce STA-200 amp, Luminous Audio pre-amp with Walker mod, Bluesound Node2, and DIY LeCleach horn speakers. Mix of Cullen and Transparent Cables.