Looking for Tube DAC recommendations .....

joeinid

joeinid

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I'd like your opinions, experience with, and tube dac recommendations. Thanks!
 
Here is one I have and still use. It's an Audio Logic 24MXL made by the late, great digital guru Jerry Ozment. I bought this in 2001 as a 2400 model and had it upgraded 3 years later to the 24MXL status. I just replaced the tubes again and it still sounds great.


http://www.perrottaconsulting.com/audiologic1.htm

audiologic24mxl-frontend.jpg
 
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First of all let me say that for the short amount of time that this site has been up, I've found so much material to read it's not funny. I hope there won't be a test anytime soon...

After Mikes suggestion of the ARC REF DAC, I would recommend looking at the Wavelength DAC's. The only problem with Wavelength is that it is USB input only, but if that works for you Gordon is the man for USB DAC's.

Here's his website: Wavelength Audio, USB DACS, Crimson, Cosecant, Brick, Proton, Tube DACs

I used a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 for a few years here. It was great at detail and precision, but seemed to be a bit harsh and lean in my system. I tried a few different DACs around the same price range ($1500-2000) but they were so similar that it didn't seem right to make a lateral move. I found a dealer who let me borrow a Wavelength Brick. It's a simple black box with one USB input and a single 12AU7 tube inside. It was much more musical than the Wyred but gave up a bit of the detail that I was use to. At that point I decided to up my budget realizing in order to get more I needed to spend more. I really wanted to get something like the Meitner MA-1, or the EMM DAC2x that you have. They were a bit over my price range though. I was seriously looking at the Wavelength Cosecant when the same dealer let me try his ARC DAC8. It had everything that I wanted. The detail was there along with that musicality I heard with the Wavelength. Now the DAC8 isn't tube based but hearing what I did with that piece, I wouldn't hesitate to jump at the REF DAC.
 
Another thing about ARC is the service they provide. If they release a product like a DAC and say it's capable of playing a certain type of file, you can be sure to know that it will. They also continue to update their drivers quickly when an update is needed and not a year or so down the line. I've been so impressed with my experience with them that I may eventually make the switch to all ARC gear.

The REF DAC has just about everything one would need from a DAC.

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/ces2012/ces2012_arc.htm
 
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dlb2 said:
First of all let me say that for the short amount of time that this site has been up, I've found so much material to read it's not funny. I hope there won't be a test anytime soon...

After Mikes suggestion of the ARC REF DAC, I would recommend looking at the Wavelength DAC's. The only problem with Wavelength is that it is USB input only, but if that works for you Gordon is the man for USB DAC's.

Here's his website: Wavelength Audio, USB DACS, Crimson, Cosecant, Brick, Proton, Tube DACs

I used a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 for a few years here. It was great at detail and precision, but seemed to be a bit harsh and lean in my system. I tried a few different DACs around the same price range ($1500-2000) but they were so similar that it didn't seem right to make a lateral move. I found a dealer who let me borrow a Wavelength Brick. It's a simple black box with one USB input and a single 12AU7 tube inside. It was much more musical than the Wyred but gave up a bit of the detail that I was use to. At that point I decided to up my budget realizing in order to get more I needed to spend more. I really wanted to get something like the Meitner MA-1, or the EMM DAC2x that you have. They were a bit over my price range though. I was seriously looking at the Wavelength Cosecant when the same dealer let me try his ARC DAC8. It had everything that I wanted. The detail was there along with that musicality I heard with the Wavelength. Now the DAC8 isn't tube based but hearing what I did with that piece, I wouldn't hesitate to jump at the REF DAC.
Click to expand...

It's pretty cool when we are allowed to share info and post great links to all the great sites out there. That's what it's all about. Oh, no formal test but maybe a pop quiz now and then just to make sure you are paying attention. Eyes front, pencils down. :)

The Ref DAC looks very interesting. My Audio Logic is probably the oldest piece I have and it still works great but I just wonder how the new stuff sounds. I am looking for some sweetness and will give up a little detail to get it, especially for streaming audio or those less than stellar recordings.

Doug,

Thanks for the input.
 
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dlb2 said:
Another thing about ARC is the service they provide. If they release a product like a DAC and say it's capable of playing a certain type of file, you can be sure to know that it will. They also continue to update their drivers quickly when an update is needed and not a year or so down the line. I've been so impressed with my experience with them that I may eventually make the switch to all ARC gear.

The REF DAC has just about everything one would need from a DAC.

The Audio Beat - CES & THE Show 2012 - Hot Product - Audio Research Reference DAC, Reference 5 SE & Reference Phono 2 SE
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you mean. Thanks for the info.
 
Joe - I think "THE" DAC to get will be the new Lampizator Series 4 (with DSD capability coming). It will be tube and fully DSD compatible!

Fikus wrote: "HA !!! Finally - DSD done RIGHT !
I am very excited to have created my first DSD DAC and done it without chips. I designed a pure tube, zero solid state active decoder and filter that does DSD conversion without silicon. It is not easy to make but so satisfying. It takes all formats and file types and plays them with vinyl quality. It is for me a new era of digital. And in accordance with my LampizatOr principles I have glowing tubes in the DAC."

Mike
 
Joe - another option would be to have a DSD DAC (Benchmark 2.0 or Mytek 192) just for DSD playback and have a tube DAC like the ARC REF DAC for everything else.

I'm just not sure how long the Lampizator is going to take to come to market. It's still in testing phase.

Mike
 
Joe - more on the LampizatOr DSD DAC:

LampizatOr DSD DAC



The DSD done right
In April 2013 we designed a DAC that converts DSD datastream (all types known) to analog and does it WITHOUT SILICON. We tried various chips - all kinds - some “DSD READY” some DSD through PCM and some real DSD.

As a chief designer I felt that Lampizator fame needs a DAC like no other. I created a converter that treats the DSD in pure analog domain and produces music in it’s virgin glory. Without any manipulation, digital processing, PCM conversion, delta sigma, or anything like that. We keep DSD in its purest native form and keep the sound with phase coherence, zero colorations or compression.

The sound is the purest copy of the original DSD recording we can think of.

The process is 100% free of active solid state components. Ony tube active filters are employed. At the end the signal is amplified by triodes again - in the way we always have done at LampizatOr.

I don’t follow the world developments in this field and I don’t have time to read internet forums but I guess this must be one of the first such pure tube DSD DACs worldwide.

In my design I used the FM radio principle for tuning into the datastream and extracting music modulation from the carrier waveform. The technology therefore is based on the grandmother’s radio with green magic eye.

The associated equipment is any computer - PC or MAC or Linux and ISO, DFF or DSF files. We also need a high quality USB cable that is “dsd-ready”. (we sell such cable in our shop).


The DSD DAC will be available from Level 3 to 5. (not the 6).
Commercial availability - June 2013.
Retro-fit upgrades of existing DACS will be provided when time allows.
The DSD DAC will play also PCM material via USB and SPDIF.

Price premium for DSD : To be announced in May.
 
joeinid said:
I'd like your opinions, experience with, and tube dac recommendations. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi Joe

I had the AMR DP-777 for awhile to compare with the MSB and it was one of my favorite dacs I've had in my system. Very smooth with a slight warmth without sacrificing much detail. Another tube dac worth looking into is the Lampizator. It definitely had it's strengths with a very rich, warm, and dense sound but I think it's a piece you need to audition. In my system it did not work too well masking too much detail for my preference. I heard the ARC reference dac (not in my system) and it was very capable but the interface and accessing music via the network was having some issues when I tried it out. I would look at the Arc CD 9 which has a USB input so you can use it as a DAC and is not as complicated as the Arc Reference Dac. The CD 8 and CD 9 always sound very good every time I listen to a system with it.
 
hiro100 said:
Hi Joe

I had the AMR DP-777 for awhile to compare with the MSB and it was one of my favorite dacs I've had in my system. Very smooth with a slight warmth without sacrificing much detail. Another tube dac worth looking into is the Lampizator. It definitely had it's strengths with a very rich, warm, and dense sound but I think it's a piece you need to audition. In my system it did not work too well masking too much detail for my preference. I heard the ARC reference dac (not in my system) and it was very capable but the interface and accessing music via the network was having some issues when I tried it out. I would look at the Arc CD 9 which has a USB input so you can use it as a DAC and is not as complicated as the Arc Reference Dac. The CD 8 and CD 9 always sound very good every time I listen to a system with it.
Click to expand...

Welcome to AS Hiro!!

I love my AMR DP-777.. but that's just me :D
 
VT Skier said:
Doesn't Joe's EMM already handle DSD?
Click to expand...

It does, so DSD is not really necessary.

-E- said:
Surprised nobody said AMR DP-777... has a few tubes in there, too.
Click to expand...

hiro100 said:
Hi Joe

I had the AMR DP-777 for awhile to compare with the MSB and it was one of my favorite dacs I've had in my system. Very smooth with a slight warmth without sacrificing much detail. Another tube dac worth looking into is the Lampizator. It definitely had it's strengths with a very rich, warm, and dense sound but I think it's a piece you need to audition. In my system it did not work too well masking too much detail for my preference. I heard the ARC reference dac (not in my system) and it was very capable but the interface and accessing music via the network was having some issues when I tried it out. I would look at the Arc CD 9 which has a USB input so you can use it as a DAC and is not as complicated as the Arc Reference Dac. The CD 8 and CD 9 always sound very good every time I listen to a system with it.
Click to expand...

Dewster said:
Welcome to AS Hiro!!

I love my AMR DP-777.. but that's just me :D
Click to expand...

AMR is definitely on my radar.

What got me thinking about all this was the fact that my Audiologic was making the not so great recordings sound way better. I got the idea something newer might be even better - at least it would handle music higher than 24/96 if I wanted.
 
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