Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit

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elnero

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Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« on: 24 Mar 2004, 02:08 pm »
I'm wondering if anyone can tell what the differences in sound are between the two units.

Also what concerns of compatibility are there with a DacKit?

p.s. Is Scott usually hard to get hold of or slow answering emails?

byteme

Re: Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #1 on: 24 Mar 2004, 02:54 pm »
Quote from: elnero
I'm wondering if anyone can tell what the differences in sound are between the two units.

Also what concerns of compatibility are there with a DacKit?

p.s. Is Scott usually hard to get hold of or slow answering emails?


Scott is notoriously hard to get hold of electronically.  Typing isn't his forte!  You're best off calling him.  As for the differences, the tubedac (which I've got an older model of) is going to be more versitile because of the switch option which really makes it the tubedac and tubedac+ all in one box.  I've never heard the dackit so I can't really compare, but if it were my $$ I'd be buying the tubedac!  Again!

Oh, and I've NEVER had any compatibility issues with the tubedac.  It's never lost signal or had issue with any of the 4-5 transports I've used.

elnero

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Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #2 on: 24 Mar 2004, 03:12 pm »
If I go with one of these I would most likely be using it with a cheap DVD player or NEC external CD-ROM drive as transport. Will either of these be better than the other?

Does the lower output voltage requires much more gain usage of the amp? (In my case this might not necessarily be a bad thing)

Also the phase inversion kind of bothers me. I'm a headphone guy and my new source will be used exclusively in a headphone based system any comments?

byteme

Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #3 on: 24 Mar 2004, 04:17 pm »
Quote from: elnero
If I go with one of these I would most likely be using it with a cheap DVD player or NEC external CD-ROM drive as transport. Will either of these be better than the other?

Does the lower output voltage requires much more gain usage of the amp? (In my case this might not necessarily be a bad thing)

Also the phase inversion kind of bothers me. I'm a headphone guy and my new source will be used exclusively in a headphone based system any comments?
Scott would be the person to ask about the headphones and phase inversion.  As for transport, I've heard a lot recently about a toshiba DVD player that can be had for about $60-70 that's getting good reviews!

elnero

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Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #4 on: 24 Mar 2004, 05:09 pm »
From what I've read the transport on the Toshiba may be a bit suspect so I haven't really been looking at that one. Plus it's not that great of a deal here in Canada.

scottnixon

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Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #5 on: 25 Mar 2004, 02:22 am »
Headphones and phase inversion.  If you're using an otl type 'phone amp, like the Singlepower, (which I think I've seen you discuss on one of the headphone forums) chances are it already inverts phase.  Most of the 3 tube designs do, but no one tells you it does invert the absolute.  So with any of my little dacs you would net out, normal phase.  Given that recordings are quite random in phase anyway, the point might possibly be moot.   If you have a fairly high input Z (10k or above) on your phoneamp any of the dacs will work.  The levels are now close to the 2V ref, being about 1db down.   I do answer emails, just might take a couple days.

elnero

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Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #6 on: 25 Mar 2004, 02:27 am »
An answer from the man himself. Thanks for the info Scott, it's greatly appreciated. Oh and you do have a good memory because you got it right, I've got a Singlepower PPX3. :)

elnero

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Scott Nixon TubeDac vs. DacKit
« Reply #7 on: 25 Mar 2004, 01:15 pm »
Anyone out there able to give an idea of the differences in sound between the two dacs?