I have finally moved on from my trusty Tranquility SE DAC from DB Audio Labs. When I purchased the original in fall of 2010 it took my system to an entirely new level from the Channel Islands DAC I had been using. Then when I went for the SE upgrade, it took things to yet another level. Several years later, and one of the output channels went bad. Sent it in for servicing in October to fix that and at the same time splurged on the new Gold level upgrades. This took the unit to a whole new level of realism and texture than the previous SE.
However, I visited a friend recently with a Lampizator level 5 DAC, and I simply cannot restrain myself. The Tranquility is really really good, but not quite in the same league as the Lampizator. It's time to say goodbye to a good friend, as I just don't need two high end DACs hanging around my house.
I know these have taken a hit on the used market, but this isn't your typical Tranquility SE - having $600 in the most recent upgrades. I'll let it go for $sold plus shipping and fees. With the base level Tranquility SE retailing at $1800 and then the gold level upgrades on top of that, this is a screaming deal.
Most of the Tranquilities you see up for sale are the base level that retails for $1200, not even the SE, which was a major step up. The Gold upgrades take the SE performance and go to an even much higher level of performance, as much a difference as between the original and the SE.
It looks just like every other Tranquility, and no significant marks or blemishes. I can post a pic if you want, though. Just ask.
Here's what Eric offers in these most recent upgrades:
2013 Tranquility Silver Level , Gold Level and All out Assault modifications:
Overview:
- These were developed by my new design team over an 18 month period,
- I did tons of listening comparatives on over 10 unique sound systems to make sure the mods would work across many systems and musical tastes.
- Hence, I wanted to make sure the tonality and unique sonic magic that already existed in the current Tranquility and Tranquility SE was carried into these new modifications with the same exact analog like character, only much better!
Silver Level Modifications ($395 introductory price) -
- Removal of the entire voltage regulation system.
- Regulation replaced with a specialized much higher current ultra low noise regulator system and six full stages of unique filtration!
- Output stage capacitance and voltages and bias all changed to new settings optimized for the many modifications.
- Stock output capacitors replaced with exotic German capacitor with pure copper leads and interleave internals layout.
- The sonic improvements from the Level 1 modifications yield a better noise floor, better bass delineation and power structure and further refine all soundstaging and harmonic extraction. All of the music detail and inner harmonic structure are improved throughout. The "jump factor" of dynamic capabilities are much more refined. Noise floor is lowered. With the output stage modifications and the exotic German pure copper capacitors give a very nice sense of liquidity to the sound altogether. Think - more refined sound at all levels.
Gold Level Modifications ($595 intro price) -
- All Silver Level modifications listed above are included (Reg with six stage filtration, output bias re-optimzation and top level German caps).
- Diodes are replaced with a unique diodes new to the electronic industry (proprietary, not being used by any other audio company I know).
- Each junction of noise paths at over a dozen circuit areas have filtration stages added.
- The original DAC chip is replaced with a first generation chipset that was manufactured to the highest die specifications (most NOS chips are "copies" made from unknown generations, these are original "mask" die chips).
- Specialized cryo'd wires are installed to replace the original bent wire leads connecting the RCA jacks.
- Select dampening compound is applied to the power supply filter capacitors and output devices.
- The changes from the Level 2 modifications yield all the Level 1 sonic improvements plus additional harmonic extraction and details top to bottom Musical micro-details are better fleshed out with more precision at every frequency. Extra information deep "within the soundstage layering" are further extracted. In a nutshell, there is a more liquid and detailed presentation and experience overall. (the NOS DAC chipset replacement extracts more of everything).Think - more sonic refinement, better imaging and music details further realized.
All Out Assault Modifications ($795 intro price) -
- This particular mod started from a customer who has a six figure sound system who asked me "please do everything you know possible to my Tranquility SE DAC!".
- Silver Level and Gold Level modifications applied throughout.
- Many components of the DAC are actually removed that would otherwise be damaged by Cryo treatment.
- The rest of the entire DAC, board and all are sent to a cryogenic treatment facility to cryo the entire DAC board and all components for 48 hours.
- The DAC baord then is returned to our facility and the parts are re-assembled onto the DAC board.
- During re-assembly the original original IEC socket is removed and a new bracket assembly is fabricated to allow the installation of a Furutech direct plated pure copper IEC jack (which is also cryo'd)
- After 72 hours of burn-in on the newly cryo'd parts the DAC is re-optimized and biased.
- The sonic improvements from the Level 3 Modifications offers the most detail the NOS Tranquility design can offer with the best fluidity around all instruments. Think - more refinement and smoother presentation above the Gold
