Scott Nixon DAC

Hantra · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 May 2003, 05:27 pm »

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

Andy:

I will be sure and post a full review once I get mine, and get them broken in. . . For now, check out the details on Scott's site. . . I am not really sure how he is going to price them, but when I heard them, I didn't care if they were more money than my Aloia. They were THAT good.

Give him a call to ge tthe details on pricing, and such. The PCB's are already up for I think $45.

The amps were more detailed then my Aloia, and they were absolutely dead quiet. The silence between notes was so quiet, it was sort of scary at times. They drove my 89db Piegas better than the Aloia did, and it has a 50+ pound power supply. hehe

The low-level detail coming from these is startling. You begin to hear things that other amps won't resolve. Like Norah Jones on her disc has a great, smooth, powerful voice. But with these, you can hear the stress on certain notes that I have never heard before.

Yikes! I can't wait for mine!!!!

B

subhuman · « **Reply #21 on:** 4 Jun 2003, 11:32 pm »

Hantra --

Where did you get this $100 add on power supply? Is it the one Wayne @ BolderCable sells for the DI/O, or something from Nixon, but not listed (or hidden?) on his page?

Also, you mentioned a new DAC with adjustable or higher out voltage (2.0V prefered). Any other news on this, is it different or an evolution from one of his current offerings?

I wonder how hard it would be to add a second digital input and where you can get a nicer box sort of like Nonoz II Dac I found:

Thanks...[/img]

Hantra · « **Reply #22 on:** 4 Jun 2003, 11:55 pm »

Sub:

This is Scott's own upgraded power supply. I find that it really helps a lot! Wayne's was okay, but not really a big upgrade over the wall wart to my ears. . .

The new DAC is available now from what I understand, and Scott is working on a version in a nice box for more money. . .

Call him, and ask. . He's cool to talk to. I am getting my new amps from him this weekend!! W0000t!

B

Andrew JC · « **Reply #23 on:** 9 Jun 2003, 12:35 pm »

Hantra, Did you pick up the monos this weekend?

Hantra · « **Reply #24 on:** 9 Jun 2003, 01:14 pm »

Hehe. . .

I sure did. . .

You know, even with the nasty break-in on the Black Gates, they killed my Aloia. I figure in a couple of weeks, they should be broken in, and I will be sure to report back. . .

B

Andrew JC · « **Reply #25 on:** 9 Jun 2003, 01:41 pm »

Any chance of some pics or do they look like the ones on Scott's site? Also how sensitive are your speakers? Thanks...andy

Hantra · « **Reply #26 on:** 9 Jun 2003, 02:09 pm »

Andrew:

They look exactly like the picture. The grey box. Very unassuming. I can take some pics, and surely will for my official review.

They don't even have an LED man. Or an on/off switch. Scott said that every time he tried to put an LED on there, it sounded bad. So. . . If they ever come with LED's, it'll be run from a whole seperate power supply. But who needs an LED? haha

They are that good. . . My speaks are 89db. This drives them much louder, and cleaner than the Aloia. . . I just really can't wait to break them in. . .

B

byteme · « **Reply #27 on:** 9 Jun 2003, 08:33 pm »

Quote from: subhuman

Hantra --

Where did you get this $100 add on power supply? Is it the one Wayne @ BolderCable sells for the DI/O, or something from Nixon, but not listed (or hidden?) on his page?

Also, you mentioned a new DAC with adjustable or higher out voltage (2.0V prefered). Any other news on this, is it different or an evolution from one of his current offerings?

Sub.

I also just ordered up Scott's new power supply for the tubedac. With IEC socket it's $115. Same exact case as the tubedac otherwise.

As for the higher output voltage, I got my Tubedac 3/24 and that "version" shipped with the higher output voltage so I'm sure the current ones are. As you said, it's basically evolutionary.

Brad, can't wait to hear what you think of the amps. I'm hoping that along with the power supply and digital cable I ordered that maybe Scott will send that stereo demo amp he was talking about!! Now that the Stratos is in house, I'd love to compare.

equinox · « **Reply #28 on:** 10 Jun 2003, 06:53 am »

Quote from: byteme

Sub.

I also just ordered up Scott's new power supply for the tubedac. With IEC socket it's $115. Same exact case as the tubedac otherwise.

As for the higher output voltage, I got my Tubedac 3/24 and that "version" shipped with the higher output voltage so I'm sure the current ones are. As you said, it's basically evolutionary.

Brad, can't wait to hear what you think of the amps. I'm hoping that along with the power supply and digital cable I ordered that maybe Scott will send that stereo demo amp he was talking about!! Now that the Stratos is in house, I'd love to compare.

Upgraded power supply? Wonder if he has something for 230V supply. I have been using the TubeDAC+ for about 1 month now. The higher output is about 1.4V. Which is more then enough for me since my pre-amp has a +6 db or +12 db option.

subhuman · « **Reply #29 on:** 10 Jun 2003, 09:57 pm »

equinox --

I'd really enjoy reading a description of the Nixon TubeDAC+ as that is the model I'm most interested in. Especially comparisons with other players (ie: a Sony 222ES or Philips 963SA) or DACs (Channel Island, BelCanto 1 etc) would be really nice. Actually just any info or descriptions would be helpful!

Hantra · « **Reply #30 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 12:42 am »

Well, the + has a different sort of feel. It puts back a little bit of that "sparkle", or "air" around the cymbals that's not really real, but that we have all gotten used to. That was the main complaint I heard about mine when I compared them with a few other DAC's. These complaints were coming from people who were hearing non-oversampling for the first time, so I didn't expect them to be as in love with it as I am.

I really hate to evangelize about products b/c too many people here do it. I try not to preach, and I try to post my opinions in a non-preachy way, BUT. . .

IMO, the TubeDAC beats every DAC I have heard except for 2. I think the Audio Note DAC 3.1x Balanced beats it by a slim margin, with perhaps a little more depth. I think the Northstar DAC beats it in most areas, but doesn't do the non-oversampling magic that I have gotten used to, and therefore I could not live with it. It never gives me the start, and stop, and silence I get between notes with the Nixon DAC. But it is a bit deeper, and more detailed. But we are talking about a $4K player.

Once you get used to non-oversampling, and realize how much more like real music it sounds, it is not easy to listen to oversampling for extended periods. You are constantly searching for that magic, and you can't get it. You are being bombed with digital noise when there should be silence.

So, in short. . .hehehe. . . This DAC beats all others anywhere near its price range, that I have heard. This DAC is like real music. The BC DAC1 is a fine sounding DAC, and one of the best affordable ones I have heard, but it doesn't do what Nixon's DAC does, and what his DAC does is play music more like live music sounds. If you want hi-fi sound, then the Nixon DAC may not be for you. If you want sound close to analog, and startlingly close to real music, then the Nixon DAC is the ticket for little money.

If you're just macking it, and you are a high roller, then just sport for the Audio Note DAC 5, and you'll be pleased. . .

B

Jay S · « **Reply #31 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 01:50 am »

Hanta,

You do frequently point out how good the SN tube dac sounds but, FWIW, it doesn't bug me at all. In fact, I've been quite curious to try it out! You're lucky that you got to compare it with a Mensa. Tyson is also lucky in that he's got both the SN and the Mensa!

This is unrealistic but it would be great if you could hear my system and give me feedback. I have a Mensa Plus. Cymbals do not have a huge amount of sparkle in my system; overall the HAM decided that there was an extra bit of top end sweetness compared to their own references/preferences. I was sorta looking for more sparkle for a while (and was thinking evil thoughts about a new preamp after hearing Guan's excellent (and elegantly simple) DACT passive in his system). After the HAM's preamp shootout 2 weekends ago, I decided that the extra sparkle would add to listening fatigue (which is right now quite low in my system). I wonder if I have perhaps achieved the same end as you but with an oversampling dac?

I am going to experiement with the inline bybee filters. My hope is that they will add a bit more treble clarity and air AND make the sound more enjoyable for long term listening.

equinox · « **Reply #32 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 02:32 am »

Quote from: subhuman

equinox --

I'd really enjoy reading a description of the Nixon TubeDAC+ as that is the model I'm most interested in. Especially comparisons with other players (ie: a Sony 222ES or Philips 963SA) or DACs (Channel Island, BelCanto 1 etc) would be really nice. Actually just any info or descriptions would be helpful!

Acutally, this is my 1st DAC. So I can't really compare with the others. My CD player is Marantz CD6000-OSE. One BIG difference is that the placement of each instrustment in the music. The sound is also more natural and relax. A tube in the chian does add a little warmth to the overall presentation. More air around the instrustment too.

Why the + version u may ask? Well, I have heard good thing about the BlackGate caps and I thought why not give them a try. The + version also include a passive sinc filter to curb the roll-off in the 18Khz region

Jay S · « **Reply #33 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 02:54 am »

Quote from: equinox

Why the + version u may ask? Well, I have heard good thing about the BlackGate caps and I thought why not give them a try. The + version also include a passive sinc filter to curb the roll-off in the 18Khz region

Very interesting! Perhaps this rolloff -- rather than the non-oversampling nature of the dac chip -- is what gives the TubeDac (not Plus) its slightly laid back and less strident approach to highs?

My Joule seemed to be slightly sweet at the top end when we compared it with other preamps. Combined with my oversampling dac this does yield a very listenable and relaxing sound.

Technical pros/cons about oversampling/non oversampling dacs aside, one cannot ignore the impact of good (as well as bad!) synergy.

Juan R · « **Reply #34 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 03:06 am »

I was looking the SN+, about changing speakers polarity, if in my case that I have a Marantz 8260 SACD, I connect the digital output to SN+ to my preamp for cd, then to listen sacd I use the analog output of the player to my preamp, my question is: If I have to change speakers polarity every time that I want to listen SACD?

Hantra · « **Reply #35 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 03:15 am »

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I am going to experiement with the inline bybee filters. My hope is that they will add a bit more treble clarity and air AND make the sound more enjoyable for long term listening.

Well, I hope they work for you. Bybees scare me. My personal skepticism about Mr. Bybee's claims aside, I am concerned about the "removal" of things. People say the Bybees remove noise you didn't know was there. Well, anything I have ever heard that removes noise, also takes other things with it. At least as much as it brings to the party. . . Let us know how it goes. . .

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If I have to change speakers polarity every time that I want to listen SACD?

The answer to your question is no. . .

Because when you get the SN, you will no longer listen to SACD.

Seriously, I had a 333ES with $1,000 worth of Richard Kern's mods. It didn't do anything for me against my redbook on the SN DAC. The transport wasn't even as good, so I couldn't justify keeping it. . .

B

subhuman · « **Reply #36 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 05:32 pm »

That's interesting Handra, and thanks for commenting as well, equinox. Don't worry about evangelizing - I'm looking for opinions and passionate responses are a good thing in this case - in either direction.

The most interesting part to me, is the AudioNote DACs are also on my very short list along with the SimAudio players. I'd like to spend less money - my amp is a Stratos, my pre, a Tempest, so I don't really want to spend too much more than either one of those pieces on my source unless it makes sense sonics vs. dollar.

A few more questions to anyone who knows:

Do you think Nixon would or could put one more digital input on one of his DACs? I have 2 digital sources - one from a computer in the other room, and one from the transport. Which brings me to the next question...

Transports. I'm looking for a brushed silver disc spinner to match my other gear. What are you guys using with your Nixon? I suppose I could go black if I must...

byteme · « **Reply #37 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 06:28 pm »

Sub, and really everyone else. Hantra and I arrived at the Tubedac from different direction and at different times, I go mine before ever talking to him about it (well, I had at least made up my mind and was about to order before we talked). I can echo everything he says about the Tubedac. It is fantastic. Prior to owning it I had 4 CD players and 4 DACs in less than 6 months, including the touted Channel Islands DAC, EAD DSP7000mkIII, Rega Planet, etc. The Tubedac ended my quest for a better digital front end. Period.

For a transport I use a Sony DVP-S7700 which I got on ebay for $215 shipped. I had been using a McCormack SST-1, which was excellent. However, once I heard the Sony the McCormack went up for sale. The Sony digs deeper and pulls EVERYTHING off the disc. Sometimes that's bad because there is occassionally more "noise" that was hidden before. But it is revealing everything, has never skipped or refused a disc and sounds fantastic.

I'd love the Tubedac to have a second input as well, but I don't think there is room in there for anything else, it doesn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't hold my breath. What I do with my two sources (changer and S7700 transport) is leave the transport hooked in all the time and have the coax cable from the changer laying behind the tubedac. I just swap them when we have company or something and want to have the changer play through the Tubedac.

As for silver, maybe you could find a DVD player as a transport in silver - I'm not aware of any silver faced transports but my knowledge of these are pretty limited.

Hantra · « **Reply #38 on:** 11 Jun 2003, 06:38 pm »

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The Sony digs deeper

You know, that is EXACTLY my thought on the Sony. From the day I hooked it up, that's what I thought about it too.

If you have to, shoot it with some silver enamel. hehe

I cannot think of a transport I'd rather have for less than $2-3 grand. . .

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the AudioNote DACs are also on my very short list along with the SimAudio players.

You won't be able to get this kind of performance in the AN products for under $4000 used IMO. I shot this thing out with the CD 2.1x, and it's a no contest. The DAC 3.1x Balanced can beat it, but can it be had for $4000 used? Doubtful. . .

Nevertheless, I haven't heard the SimAudio players. I have had opportunities to listen to other players, but I just haven't done it, unless I think the might beat the Nixon DAC. A friend of mine is a dealer, and he gets trades all the time, so every time, he's like "take this and try it". I have stopped doing players b/c I don't even want to unbox them. . hehe Amps are probably the next thing I stop trying. I listened to the McIntosh 602 last night, and that is a fantastic amplifier. Whether it is better than mine, I can't say until it gets broken in. . .

B