Choice of Tube 24/192 DACs

[KnyazHM]

Hi everyone

 

I use wav and SACD-R transport. I am looking to buy a new 24/192 DAC with Tube output.

 

My shortlist is:

Mhdt Labs Stockholm V2

Mhdt Labs Steeplechase AK4396

HLLY 24BIT 192KHz 2*AD1955

Promitheus Audio Tube DAC

Acoustic Plan DigiMaster

Cary Audio DAC-100t

Line Magnetic LM-502CA

 

Any comments and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Anton

[wisnon]

Why not Lampizator and Aesthetix? Those are 2 purpose-bulit tube Dacs, not just tube output stages attached as an afterthought.

[KnyazHM]

Just forgot about them

[mav52]

Jolida Glass FX Tube Dac III

Wavelength

ACCUSTIC ARTS TUBE DAC II – MK 2

AR Ref

 

But if I had to pick a tube dac it would be a Lampizator since they seem to do DSD right.

[wisnon]

Jolida Glass FX Tube Dac III

Wavelength

ACCUSTIC ARTS TUBE DAC II – MK 2

AR Ref

 

But if I had to pick a tube dac it would be a Lampizator since they seem to do DSD right.

 

Yeah, I would vote for the Dacs designed around the tube tech, rather than Dacs with tube buffer stages tacked on at the end as an afterthought. Ayon I think is another good tube Dac, as well as EAR Yoshino.

[dyohn]

Wavelength gets my vote.

[KnyazHM]

What model Wavelength? USB input is not necessary. I only use the CD transport and SD-Card transport with SPDIF or AES/EBU

[dyohn]

What model Wavelength? USB input is not necessary. I only use the CD transport and SD-Card transport with SPDIF or AES/EBU

 

The Wavelength Cosine is S/PDIF input. I also believe Gordon will make a Crimson with S/PDIF if you ask him.

[wisnon]

How could I forget the AMR DP777 Dac?

 

Also, since you have a SACD player, why not consider ripping and DSD playback as well?

[thegoodarcher]

Yes, the line magnetic i prefer the best out of this lot - but i would recommend not to use a tube dac instead a tube preamp or a tube integrated and a solid state d/a with variable gain - this is because we would want lower distortion in the chain to feed the amplification

where the magic happens - good luck!

[thegoodarcher]

How could I forget the AMR DP777 Dac?

 

Also, since you have a SACD player, why not consider ripping and DSD playback as well?

 

Yes, The AMR is a worthy contender as well.

[KnyazHM]

Interesting to try AMR and Magnetic Line. The price is also important

[wisnon]

Yes, the line magnetic i prefer the best out of this lot - but i would recommend not to use a tube dac instead a tube preamp or a tube integrated and a solid state d/a with variable gain - this is because we would want lower distortion in the chain to feed the amplification

where the magic happens - good luck!

 

I prefer the opposite. Tube Magic in the Dac and SS amplification (better bass). Distortion measurements and good sound are often at odds with each other. Many SS Dacs are not up to scratch…and the ones that are are horribly expensive.

[KnyazHM]

Now I use Sonic Frontiers Processor 3 Tube DAC. I love this DAC, but it only 20/48

Tube better then solid for me.

[KnyazHM]

I want to try best option - Tube DAC with transformer output. I think amazing live sound.

So make Audio Note, Lampizator, Manley?

[KnyazHM]

What would be better EAR Yoshino 192 or Abbingdon DP-777

[wisnon]

I would give the Lampi the edge for SQ and the fact that the Lampi DSD is rated the best by those who have reviewed it...

 

With lots of people trading up to the top of the line Big 7, there should be several bargains to be had with Level 4 and 5 Lampi Dacs with DSD. Ask Gopher at AudioCircle or check Audiogon.

 

I have heard the Ear Yoshino and its very good, as is the AMR DP777. Heard good tiings about Aesthetix too, but they are a bit pricier.

[KnyazHM]

Another interesting Tube DAC - Concert Fidelity DAC-040

http://www.concertfidelity.jp/dac040.html

 

and Yamamoto Sound Craft YDA-01B

http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/YDA-01B-new-E.html

 

 

what is more musical?

[bmoura]

There's also a new player in the tube DAC market - Valve Audio Designs (VAD) in the U.K. Haven't heard this one. May be worth a look.

 

DAC-10 DSD Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) | Valve Audio DevicesValve Audio Devices