Scott Nixon DAC

MaxCast · « **on:** 17 Feb 2003, 02:43 am »

Any builders out there? Was wondering how this thing is to construct. How are the instructions? I've built a Foreplay so I can build things with decient instructions.

Thanks,

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Feb 2003, 07:14 am »

The instructions are pretty minimal... he says so on his site I believe, but he does also offer prebuilt boards I think

J

MaxCast · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Feb 2003, 11:48 am »

I've read his site a couple times. Do the instructions tell you where to solder what? The foreplay instructions were excelent in this regard. If he tells you where to put everything I'm sure I could do it, but if it is implied that the builder knows where to but this resistor and that cap etc., then I would have problems.

rob · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Feb 2003, 11:06 am »

hi
if you can build the foreplay,scotts dac will be easy!!
sounds dead good too,have mine running of a 12v battery as didnt want to build a power supply.

rob

giorgino1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Apr 2003, 09:44 am »

Hi All - Just a note to give you my impressions of the SN DACKIT:

http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Digital&action=display&num=1049883085

Kind regards

George

cjr888 · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Apr 2003, 11:03 am »

Quote from: giorgino1

Hi All - Just a note to give you my impressions of the SN DACKIT:

http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Digital&action=display&num=1049883085

Kind regards

George

Thank you for posting and directing us to further comments on your experiences with the SN. I'm planning on buying one once I get around to at least selling off a couple of my extra pieces of hear.

Regarding your statement of:

Quote

There is a warning that comes with all this drama however. The SN DAC takes no prisoners. At times its just down right harsh. There's a distinct possibility that the running-in process wil take the edge off that - Thats my hope also.

Please keep us posted if/when you find changes during break-in time -- I've yet to see any comments from owners regarding this being a huge change, no change, short period or long period.

Would love to hear your comments when the time is right....

giorgino1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Apr 2003, 12:50 pm »

Will do -
I don't want to do an evaluation without running it in properly. Give me about 2 weeks - I've got it powered up 24/7 at the moment.

giorgino1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 May 2003, 01:56 pm »

Hi All - Just a note to link you to the latest update of my SN-DAc impressions (for what its worth).

http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Digital&action=display&num=1049883085&start=0

regards

george

azryan · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 May 2003, 05:24 pm »

"The normal DACTKIT outputs directly from the DAC stage with no filter or outputstage and has a very high output impedance that makes systems matching a challenge."

Can someone explain what exactly the challenge is and what I'd need to know about my system to match this DAC?

Input Imp. of my amp, or pre amp or what? I've never found any good threads talking about dealing with imp. matching, but hear people talk about it as being important all the time.

Thanks!

Hantra · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 May 2003, 06:16 pm »

Quote

Can someone explain what exactly the challenge is and what I'd need to know about my system to match this DAC?

Well Az:

The DACKit does have a very low level output, and probably would not be the best DAC to use if you have a passive pre-amp, or a low wattage SET amp. Scott showed me a new DAC yesterday that will solve the low output issues. It is essentially a combination of a couple different products, and you can pretty much have any level output you'd like. It's a little more expensive than the DACKit, but it uses quite a few more parts, and looked much more complex to build. . .

Although I have heard every iteration of his non-oversampling DAC's and own the TubeDAC, the best person to answer your question is Scott himself b/c he knows his designs.

B

giorgino1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 May 2003, 07:39 am »

Hi Hantra

I'm curious to know what the difference is in sound characteristic between the non-upsampled DAC (basic) and the Tube DAC. I found my normal DACkit to be quite dry but very dynamic. I've smoothed it slightly with a linestage buffer.

Regards

George

Hantra · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 May 2003, 02:49 pm »

You need the TubeDAC. List yours on the Trading Post b/c there are a few people here who want to try one. The TubeDAC is ANYTHING but dry. It is very wet by comparison. Funny you ask that too b/c that's a word I use now to describe what I hear ever since hearing some things I didn't hear before the Nixon DAC.

I was overwhelmed upon first hearing hte DAC you have, but when I substituted the TubeDAC, I was in heaven. It adds that last bit of dimensionality that tubes are known for. I thought it would be TOO smooth in my all tube system, but it's in fact just perfect. . .

B

MaxCast · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 May 2003, 03:08 pm »

Hantra, have you tried the upgraded version of the TubeDAC?

Hantra · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 May 2003, 03:41 pm »

Max:

Are you talking about the TubeDAC Plus? Or the TubeKit with the DAC. . .

I heard the TubeKitted DAC the other day, and it was great! I am not sure I have heard the "Plus", and I am not sure it would do anything for me. . . I do have the upgraded power supply in my system now, and it's great!

MaxCast · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 May 2003, 04:40 pm »

I was talking about the TubeDAC+
Was wondering if it was worth the extra $100.

Is the upgraded power supply offered by Scott? I don't see any info on it at his site. How much is the upgradded power supply?

I'm sure Scott is a busy man. It would be nice if he visited a bit more to answer questions. It would also be real cool if he had a test/loner being passed around

Hantra · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 May 2003, 06:22 pm »

Quote

I was talking about the TubeDAC+
Was wondering if it was worth the extra $100.

Well, I'd say it's definitely "worth" the $100 just because of the Black Gates, and extra stuff he puts into the + version. Whether I want that sound, I am not sure. What it's supposed to do is brighten things up a bit, and put more of the "sizzle" in that other oversampling DAC's have, without the digital noise.

I am very happy where I'm at now, and highs sound much more natural. I prefer this to the zingy "sizzly" highs that some people like with digital.

Quote

Is the upgraded power supply offered by Scott? I don't see any info on it at his site. How much is the upgradded power supply?

The power supply is $100, and I am still evaluating it. Not sure if I'll keep it yet b/c I haven't given it a real critical listen. Off the bat, it seems to be a good improvement.

Scott is a really busy guy, and he is very hard to get to electronically. My advice would be to call him. I just ordered a pair of his monoblocks, and he is 3 weeks out on thos b/c he's so backed up. But after hearing them, it's worth the wait. . .

B

giorgino1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 May 2003, 12:44 pm »

Hi Hantra

I've since done some tube rolling on my Decware ZSLA1 bufferstage (from 6922 to 6N1P) and it has a nice balance to it. Since hearing the SN DAC - his product rance has sparked my curiosity for great value and high end sound. I'm looking forward to any other products he brings out.

For the moment the SN DAC that I have is good enough. Besides, I live in the UK and most people won't have heard of it. When funds permit I may go for the Tube DAC with signature parts just out of curiosity.

When you get Scott's monoblocks do write and tell me how it sounds.

Regards

G

bmed · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 May 2003, 01:30 pm »

Hey Hantra,

I've been considering the SN tubeDAC (as well as the Mensa DIO). I have an all tube system like yourself. It's interesting that you think it mates perfectly with your system. I have been told that the tubeDAC with my "stuff" would compress the dynamic life out of my system, since I'm already pretty warm or "wet". There might be matching problems with the low gain issues of my system.
What's do you think? I was leaning towards the Mensa DIO, but.......
For the price, maybe it's worth an audition, then sell..I'm thinking aloud.

Brad
Pioneer PD75>>AES AE-3 DJH (NOS 6SN7 Sylvania Chromes)>>>Cary CAD 808 (KT88).

Hantra · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 May 2003, 01:54 pm »

Quote

I have been told that the tubeDAC with my "stuff" would compress the dynamic life out of my system, since I'm already pretty warm or "wet".

Who told you that? If it was Scott, then I'd believe it. Anyone else, I wouldn't be so sure. I will say though that my tube integrated was quite an accurate piece. It wasn't mushy at all, and was pretty tight. If your setup is already wet, and has low gain, then you may want to hit the Plus with more gain. I wouldn't trust anyone who hasn't lived with one to give me advice on one. The best man to ask is Scott.

Quote

I was leaning towards the Mensa DIO, but.......
For the price, maybe it's worth an audition, then sell..

See if you can audition them together. I could not live with the Mensa. I am sure it is waaaaaaay better than the stock DI/O, but I had a Theta Cobalt that I liked better than the Mensa. That's a 10 year old $300 DAC. The Mensa just did not involve me at all, even though it is ultra-linear.

Let us know what you decide. . .

B

Andrew JC · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 May 2003, 05:06 pm »

Hantra, Can you be more specific on Scott’s monoblock amp? How do they sound, look, and price for a completed pair? Thanks..andy