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What's the best Tube DAC you have heard?

Hi,

Just like input for my next system upgrade. In attempt to add the tube magic back into my system which currently isn't friendly for tube amps. I'm thinking of adding that magic in the other end of the chain at the source. I do mostly computer served music these days...~40,000+ songs in my server.

I do still spin a record or two here and there, but been relying on my computer/Linn Majik more and more. I'm thinking of switching to a combo of Musical Fidelity V-link async USB -to-S/PDIF and I'll tie that to a good tube DAC.

So would like folks guidance, I've been leaning Audio Note and Audio Research....

Gerald
geraldedison

Showing 5 responses by mofimadness

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,783 posts
 
The Eastern Electric Minimax DAC with some op-amp rolling is INCREDIBLE! I finally bought one to try and it's frickin' amazing.

OPA2604 in the U1 & U2 positions and the AD797B in the U6 & U7 positions for op-amps with a Mullard CV4003 tube...WOW!!!

Probably the best digital I have ever heard and I've owned a lot of DACs.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,783 posts
 
I have had or still have:

ARC DAC-3 MKII
ARC DAC-2
ARC DAC-5
Kora Hermes (excellent)
EAD DSP7000III
Counterpoint DA-10
PS Audio DLIII
Benchmark Dac
Bel Canto 1 & 2
Theta DS PRO GEN III, IV and V
CAL Audio Sigma and Alpha
Meridian Several different ones

and many more.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,783 posts
 
Cwlondon,

If you are asking about the Mininmax DAC, it only has (1) tube, so cost is very inexpensive. Not sure yet on lifespan, but I don't think they run the tube very high.

As far as a second place DAC goes, the Kora, EAD and Counterpoint have remained through many DAC shoot outs.

I missed a couple of recent DACs from my above post, add:

Cambridge DACMagic
MHDT Havana and Paradisea
Wyred DAC 1

Just remember that all of these were in my system, my room and my tastes in sound. YMMV
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,783 posts
 
Doug,

I owe my op-amp combo to you and your hard work in rolling for the article in Dagogo! I'm a Mullard man, so that's my tube of choice.

I have a CEC TL-2 transport and Grover Huffman digital cable and analog cable.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,783 posts
 
Here is where I got the OPA2604. These are a standard DIP8 and drop right in:

http://www.newark.com/texas-instruments/opa2604ap/ic-op-amp-dual-fet-ip-2604-dip8/dp/97K6814

Here is where I got the AD797B. These require the adapter.

http://cimarrontechnology.com/so8to8-pindipadapterpn970601-3.aspx

Here is the article that Doug did for Dagogo. It also has all of the info you will need:

http://dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=864

Again, a BIG THANKS to Douglas Schroeder for taking all of this on!

The Mullard is a sweet, warm, vocal driven tube. Very open and throws a huge, wide and deep soundstage. My favorite brand of tube and I've tried them all.
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