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  1. #1
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    New DAC is here!!

    It's here!

    AQUA La Scala from Italy has arrived!

    Manufacturer says 300 hours burn-in required. So let the process begin!

    Also have some RevOPods on the way for it.

    IMG_3370.JPG
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  2. #2
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Very nice! I am seriously curious to know what that sounds like or what your experiences are.

    Have fun!
    Vitus Audio MP-L201 or Zanden 3100 with Soulution 511 / Grimm-audio MU1 music server with Roon core / Magico Q3 loudspeakers / Esoteric K-03XD SACD player / Kimber Kable Select KS6063 speaker cables / Ansuz A2 Digitalz interlink / Kimber KS1136 XLR analog interlinks / Nordost QB8 powerblock & 2x Qv2 / Kimber Kable PK10 Gold power cables / Bassocontinuo Accordeon XL4 MC Edition audiorack
    Soon for sale: Marantz TT1000 mkII turntable with SME V-series magnesium tonearm + Goldring Excel cartridge with van den Hul tip

  3. #3
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Thats a great sounding DAC. I have 2 friends that bought it and it is fabulous. Congrats! Once it is broken in try some different tubes.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  4. #4
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by pietpara View Post
    Very nice! I am seriously curious to know what that sounds like or what your experiences are.

    Have fun!
    I'll let you know. I'm going to give my first serious listen Saturday @100 hours and then again at 200 and 300 hours.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  5. #5
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mechnutt View Post
    Thats a great sounding DAC. I have 2 friends that bought it and it is fabulous. Congrats! Once it is broken in try some different tubes.
    Yup - for sure. I already have a pair ready to go.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  6. #6
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Congrats! We love our Aqua LaScala. It’s seriously the best DAC I’ve heard under $10k. R2R + Tubes = yummy.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  7. #7
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Congrats. New gear is fun.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

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    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  8. #8

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    You can buy the newest "Ford Pinto" McIntosh MDA200 DAC for under $5,000.

    McIntosh MDA200 D/A Converter
    McIntosh MC462, MDA200, MCT500 -Apple Music iPad- PMC MB2 Se - Klipsch Palladium P-37F / P-312W- Clarus Crimson

  9. #9
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Wonderful news Michael! Please do share your findings with us once you get some time with it.
    Avanti Audio

    arc sp-11 or ls27 | arc d130 | vpi classic 2 w/periphery ring w/Si3N4 bearing & sapphire thrust plate & 2x jmw 10.5i | phoenix engineering eagle & road runner | ortofon cadenza bronze, miyajima zero mono | sentec eq11 w/ Sylvania 5751 TMBP & CBS 7318 | auditorium a23 | canton ref 9 dc | 2x m&k v125 | oppo bdp-95 | chord qutest | lumin d1 & sbooster | avanti audio vivace cables

  10. #10

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiker View Post
    You can buy the newest "Ford Pinto" McIntosh MDA200 DAC for under $5,000.

    McIntosh MDA200 D/A Converter
    Why did you post this comment on this thread?
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  11. #11

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Because I don't believe the Aqua is the best sounding DAC under $10k.
    McIntosh MC462, MDA200, MCT500 -Apple Music iPad- PMC MB2 Se - Klipsch Palladium P-37F / P-312W- Clarus Crimson

  12. #12
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiker View Post
    Because I don't believe the Aqua is the best sounding DAC under $10k.
    You think the Mcintosh is?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  13. #13
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    Re: New DAC is here!!



    Is a Hockey Game gonna breakout?
    -----------------
    Brian

    Main System -
    Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables

    Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables


  14. #14
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Oh SNAP!!!!!
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  15. #15
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    24 hours left......

    OK guys, 24 hours left until I hit the first 100 of the 300 hour burn in on the AQUA La Scala DAC.

    I also just received the new Siltech USB cable today and started the burning in so that will only have 25 hours on it when do my first of the 3 stage listening to see if the sound changes over the 300 hours AQUA strongly recommends.

    I'm going to have a test of USB cables coming up after I review the DAC as well!
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  16. #16
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    HIKER

    How many hours did you put on your Aqua Dac, before you sold it?
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  17. #17
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiker View Post
    Because I don't believe the Aqua is the best sounding DAC under $10k.
    How many hours did you put on your AQUA DAC before you sold it?
    INDUSTRY AFFILIATION: OWNER/PRESIDENT OF
    QUINTESSENCE ACOUSTICS
    www.quintessenceacoustics.com

  18. #18
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiker View Post
    You can buy the newest "Ford Pinto" McIntosh MDA200 DAC for under $5,000.

    McIntosh MDA200 D/A Converter
    Didn't the Ford Pinto have an issue of it kept blowing up in accidents due to where they put the gas tank?
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  19. #19
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    sorry, but 300hrs is absurd
    Burmester 911mk3 amplifier
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  20. #20
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Porsche View Post
    sorry, but 300hrs is absurd
    Hi - Absurd how?
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  21. #21
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute View Post
    Hi - Absurd how?
    Tubes + Ladders on the aqua take time.

    Some folks think break in is BS.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  22. #22
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Tubes + Ladders on the aqua take time.

    Some folks think break in is BS.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    i do not think break in is BS, tubes/caps/etc do not take 300hrs to break in, if you run a piece of gear non stop drawing current thru its devices it should take 50hrs if that, not 300hrs.
    Burmester 911mk3 amplifier
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  23. #23
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Porsche View Post
    i do not think break in is BS, tubes/caps/etc do not take 300hrs to break in, if you run a piece of gear non stop drawing current thru its devices it should take 50hrs if that, not 300hrs.
    So the manufacturer is wrong?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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  24. #24
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    So the manufacturer is wrong?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    in a lot of cases its just "talk". do you honestly think you can tell a difference in tube sound from 50hrs to 300hrs? i do not. thats my opinion, you can follow the manufactures suggestions all you want but the sound will not change for 50-75hrs to over 300hrs. im into porsches, they recommend do not do this or that until you hit so many miles, change the oil this an that, whatever, i have never had a problem with them and have never had a performance issue
    Burmester 911mk3 amplifier
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    Burmester 217 turntable system
    Burmester 111 streamer
    Burmester 948 conditioner
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    Espirit Eureka cables
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  25. #25
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    OK - so I just did the 110 hour listen.

    Better than at 0 hours, but still has a way to go. The "organic-ness" of the tubes is starting to come to life, but it's still sounding congested and too closed in. Tough to explain, but to me it sounds exactly like a component that still needs plenty of burn in.

    Manufacturer says 300 hours, so I'm going to set it back to the burn in cycle and then give it a listen next weekend. I'll listen with the stock tubes in it and then once familiar with it I'll swap out and put in the NOS tubes.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  26. #26
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Based on my Aqua experience you may still feel that way at 300 hrs for the SS section.
    Main - JVC QL-Y7/Denon DL-301 Mk II, Gold Note PH-10, Jays CDT3 Mk3 , Auralic Aries G2.2, Holo May KTE, Supratek Cabernet, Kinki Studio EX-B7 monoblocks, Verity Audio Otello, (2) Rythmik F12SE, Audio Envy IC, SC & PC's, Triode Wire Lab PC's, Inakustik USB and I2S, (2) Puritan Audio Labs PSM-156 with Groundmaster City, Timbernation rack

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  27. #27

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Porsche View Post
    in a lot of cases its just "talk". do you honestly think you can tell a difference in tube sound from 50hrs to 300hrs? i do not. thats my opinion, you can follow the manufactures suggestions all you want but the sound will not change for 50-75hrs to over 300hrs. im into porsches, they recommend do not do this or that until you hit so many miles, change the oil this an that, whatever, i have never had a problem with them and have never had a performance issue
    Help me with this logic: You ignored a car's mfg directives and didn't experience a problem with your car, therefore, this amp doesn't need 300hrs break-in. did I get that right?

  28. #28
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Smile View Post
    Help me with this logic: You ignored a car's mfg directives and didn't experience a problem with your car, therefore, this amp doesn't need 300hrs break-in. did I get that right?
    i was stating that a manufacturer recommendation isn't always accurate. why would a tube amp need 300hrs to break in to function properly and sound its best.
    ok, look forward to posters thoughts on this dac
    Burmester 911mk3 amplifier
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    Burmester 217 turntable system
    Burmester 111 streamer
    Burmester 948 conditioner
    Master Artist Signature Full Range Towers
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    Espirit Eureka cables
    Silent Angel NX Network Switch

  29. #29

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    My friend Jim Smith has one of these and I have heard it several times. It is superb.
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  30. #30
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    I can state the La Scala (and Formula) sits after 500 h.

    Good listening
    Giuliano

    Main:
    Kuzma Stabi R - 4 Point 14 inch, Simaudio Moon 740P - Moon 860A v2, Aqua LinQ, Aqua Formula xHD
    Spendor D9.2, Analysis Plus Silver Apex

    Secondary:
    Lumin U1 - X1 Psu, Aqua La Scala MK2, Benchmark AHB2, Magnepan .7

  31. #31
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by power View Post
    I can state the La Scala (and Formula) sits after 500 h.

    Good listening
    Thank you. I'm going to keep it going and put the time in on the stock tubes and save my NOS tubes.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  32. #32
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute View Post
    Thank you. I'm going to keep it going and put the time in on the stock tubes and save my NOS tubes.
    Hi Michael,

    Luckily, 12AT7/ECC81 NOS aren't terribly expensive compared to some of the other sweeties in the 12A* family. They aren't free, but nowhere near 12AX7 or 5751 pricing these days.
    Avanti Audio

    arc sp-11 or ls27 | arc d130 | vpi classic 2 w/periphery ring w/Si3N4 bearing & sapphire thrust plate & 2x jmw 10.5i | phoenix engineering eagle & road runner | ortofon cadenza bronze, miyajima zero mono | sentec eq11 w/ Sylvania 5751 TMBP & CBS 7318 | auditorium a23 | canton ref 9 dc | 2x m&k v125 | oppo bdp-95 | chord qutest | lumin d1 & sbooster | avanti audio vivace cables

  33. #33
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeCh View Post
    Hi Michael,

    Luckily, 12AT7/ECC81 NOS aren't terribly expensive compared to some of the other sweeties in the 12A* family. They aren't free, but nowhere near 12AX7 or 5751 pricing these days.
    Yup. I've got a pair of NOS ready to go!
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  34. #34
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by power View Post
    I can state the La Scala (and Formula) sits after 500 h.

    Good listening
    You were absolutely right. At 300 hours I was still very unimpressed. I just hit 400 hours today and now it is starting to come alive! Once I hit 500 hours I'll listen again and then put in the NOS tubes.

    But 300 hours is no where near enough time and will lead to disappointment if people make a decision based on the 300 hour sound.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  35. #35
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute View Post
    You were absolutely right. At 300 hours I was still very unimpressed. I just hit 400 hours today and now it is starting to come alive! Once I hit 500 hours I'll listen again and then put in the NOS tubes.

    But 300 hours is no where near enough time and will lead to disappointment if people make a decision based on the 300 hour sound.
    It's the capacitors that generally take a long time to burn in. As an example, the Teflon caps in my CJ CT-5 preamp took...1500 hours to burn in. About 2 1/2 years of listening.

    Also, the crystal oscillators components and circuits used for Master clocks can also require several hundred hours of burn-in.

    My Lumin P1 really needed 400 hours of burn-in and 500 hours to get "up on the cam" as we say in motor racing...

    Folks would do well to exercise the patience of a saint, and the discipline of a samurai with gear at this level.

  36. #36
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
    It's the capacitors that generally take a long time to burn in. As an example, the Teflon caps in my CJ CT-5 preamp took...1500 hours to burn in. About 2 1/2 years of listening.

    Also, the crystal oscillators components and circuits used for Master clocks can also require several hundred hours of burn-in.

    My Lumin P1 really needed 400 hours of burn-in and 500 hours to get "up on the cam" as we say in motor racing...

    Folks would do well to exercise the patience of a saint, and the discipline of a samurai with gear at this level.
    I totally agree. I'm willing to wait until it sounds right before I pop in the NOS tubes.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  37. #37
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    OK - update as I did some serious listening last night now that I am at ~600 hours and that I burned in the new Telegartner switch and OPT bridge.

    Listening I felt as though the DAC was a bit lifeless and dull (still with the stock tubes) and was not impressed. I was thinking maybe I was better sticking with the Rose as a combo streamer/DAC and had made a mistake,

    So after some thinking, I remembered I had the speakers aiming straight to smooth out the sound of the previous gear. So I set about toeing in the speakers just a bit and measuring with laser measure and BAM! - the sound came to life and became much more open and airy sounding. Much more engaging and never sounded harsh or brittle - just more organic then every before. VERY pleased indeed.

    I want to put another 150 hours or so on the Telegartner and cables and then later this week I'm going to try the NOS tubes.

    Mike - you steered me right on this DAC! Thank you!
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  38. #38
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    curious, when you swap out to NOS tubes, 500hrs to listen?
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  39. #39
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Porsche View Post
    curious, when you swap out to NOS tubes, 500hrs to listen?
    I'm only going to put an hour or so on the NOS tubes prior to listening.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  40. #40
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute View Post
    OK - update as I did some serious listening last night now that I am at ~600 hours and that I burned in the new Telegartner switch and OPT bridge.

    Listening I felt as though the DAC was a bit lifeless and dull (still with the stock tubes) and was not impressed. I was thinking maybe I was better sticking with the Rose as a combo streamer/DAC and had made a mistake,

    So after some thinking, I remembered I had the speakers aiming straight to smooth out the sound of the previous gear. So I set about toeing in the speakers just a bit and measuring with laser measure and BAM! - the sound came to life and became much more open and airy sounding. Much more engaging and never sounded harsh or brittle - just more organic then every before. VERY pleased indeed.

    I want to put another 150 hours or so on the Telegartner and cables and then later this week I'm going to try the NOS tubes.

    Mike - you steered me right on this DAC! Thank you!
    Cool, but can't say I'm surprised at your findings. That's because there is a statistically signficant interaction between your room and speaker placement angle. In home set-ups these two are usually signficant factors. Often times key factors...interact (you know, like that whole time*temperature interaction thang in chemistry? Um...yeah.)†

    And, this is why a lot of speaker design in is done is anechoic chambers, to take the room "out of the equation" (technically: the transfer function) from that whole room*speaker interaction thang...

    Well...that's whats going with your room & speaker placement angle: they are interacting. It's a system, and the component parts are interacting together to produce the in-room response. Just like that whole Time*Temperature interaction thang when...baking cookies. Funny how that works, but...it's how a lot of chemistry works. Physics, too.

    To wit: The DOE (Design of Experiments) I did to integrate my REL to my main speakers. See that plot panel at the very lower left called "Interaction Profiles"? The red and blue lines in the upper right panel converging to a common intercept show a statistically significant...interaction between Sub GAIN and Sub Crossover setting.


    Anyhoo, good resuts, Michael. Cheers and keep us posted as you get hours on the La Scala.

    †–To digress briefly, this is a major problem with how Science is taught in schools and universities: OFAT (One Factor at A Time). The problem with OFAT and how it's taught is it's usually not how physics, chemistry, and lots of other science and engineering actually work.

  41. #41
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    The La Scala DAC is not a DAC that is overly musical. I found it smooth, detailed, non fatiguing with a large soundstage. My friends really came alive when he swapped in a pair of $700pr NOS tubes. I don't remember the names of the tubes.

    Also, the Aqua LinQ really takes this to the next level. The Innuo Phoenix reclocker also improves the sound but the Linq even more.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  42. #42
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
    Cool, but can't say I'm surprised at your findings. That's because there is a statistically signficant interaction between your room and speaker placement angle.

    Anyhoo, good resuts, Michael. Cheers and keep us posted as you get hours on the La Scala.

    †–To digress briefly, this is a major problem with how Science is taught in schools and universities: OFAT (One Factor at A Time). The problem with OFAT and how it's taught is it's usually not how physics, chemistry, and lots of other science and engineering actually work.

    Yup - for sure.

    I guess I should say I have La Scala squared in my system - I have the AQUA La Scala DAC, and the large Klipsh La Scala horn speakers. LOL.

    On a completely different note, I grew up never liking any of the Klipsch horn speakers and frankly kinda snickering at them. But they really got this latest newest version right in terms of they now sound sweet, smooth, clear, and not like any of their past versions.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  43. #43
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mechnutt View Post
    The La Scala DAC is not a DAC that is overly musical. I found it smooth, detailed, non fatiguing with a large soundstage. My friends really came alive when he swapped in a pair of $700pr NOS tubes. I don't remember the names of the tubes.

    Also, the Aqua LinQ really takes this to the next level. The Innuo Phoenix reclocker also improves the sound but the Linq even more.
    While it sounds really good right now, I agree with you the factory tubes are definitely holding it back. I can't wait to try the NOS tubes (they were $150 for a matched pair).
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  44. #44
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    New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute View Post
    While it sounds really good right now, I agree with you the factory tubes are definitely holding it back. I can't wait to try the NOS tubes (they were $150 for a matched pair).
    Hey Michael, what are the NOS tubes you're planning to roll in? I've already sold off many if not most of the ECC81/12AT7's that were in my dad's 60+ years collection of vacuum tubes and very few of the 12AT7 varieties brought that kind of price for balanced/matched pairs...only a small handful of Mullards as I recall. I have to wonder which tubes mechnutt was referring to at a price of $700 for a matched pair. Those must be some kind of rare tubes!

    Mike
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  45. #45
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeCh View Post
    Hey Michael, what are the NOS tubes you're planning to roll in? I've already sold off many if not most of the ECC81/12AT7's that were in my dad's 60+ years collection of vacuum tubes and very few of the 12AT7 varieties brought that kind of price for balanced/matched pairs...only a small handful of Mullards as I recall. I have to wonder which tubes mechnutt was referring to at a price of $700 for a matched pair. Those must be some kind of rare tubes!

    Mike
    Yeah - I can't imagine what sold for $750 for those tubes. All the NOS I looked at were anywhere from $70-$300 for the most rare matched tubes.

    Mine are RCA's (they have a variety of type of RCA's but I bought them as they are supposed to give me the sound I am looking for over BB and others I've had in the past on other hear. I like a bit of tube magic and organicness without overly syrupy tube sound.
    "We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff

  46. #46

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute View Post
    24 hours left......

    OK guys, 24 hours left until I hit the first 100 of the 300 hour burn in on the AQUA La Scala DAC.

    I also just received the new Siltech USB cable today and started the burning in so that will only have 25 hours on it when do my first of the 3 stage listening to see if the sound changes over the 300 hours AQUA strongly recommends.

    I'm going to have a test of USB cables coming up after I review the DAC as well!
    I have tried a lot of USB cables. The Shunyata Omega is really good.
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  47. #47

    Re: New DAC is here!!

    Late to the thread, but congrats on your DAC. Like someone who posted earlier, I found the Formula took over 300 hours to finally settle. Also the LinQ does take the Aqua DACs to another level. I found the LinQ feeding my Formula was superior to the Innuos Statement (version 1) feeding the Formula.


    Enjoy!
    4x20A circuits | Shunyata Triton + Typhon | Source 1: HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen -> Paul Hynes SR4T + HDPlex HD500 PSUs -> Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, Squeezebox, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | TotalDAC Live PSU + D1 Twelve Mk II DAC + Mk II streamer | Source 2: Acoustic Signature Ascona TT | Kuzma 4 point tonearm | Koetsu Rosewood Signature cart | Pass XP-15 phono pre | Audionet Pre G2 preamp | Audionet Max mono blocks | Vivid Audio Giya Spirits | 4 JL Audio Fathom subs | Echole ICs /SCs / Siltech King jumpers, Shunyata/Audioquest PCs / Eth. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Altair reference and Eris II racks | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room

  48. #48
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    Re: New DAC is here!!

    wrong post
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

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