Scott Nixon's TubeDac+

rob · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 02:39 pm »

arthur
dont read valves as warm

they aint rightly so. some older circuits with 'older' makes or cap and resistor but with the mordern parts even some older warm circuits will knock ss dead.

i listen to 'real' heavy metal ie groups like test dept and einstuzende neu' - industrial noise and am using a push pull 6550. anit is the most dynamic amp i have had heard (and i have had a few and my spears are 87db).

an vdl isnt dull either

sorry will climb of me hobby horse now

rob

byteme · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 03:14 pm »

Quote from: arthur

hope that scott won't mind me posting his phone # .... but then again it's more business for him so i don't see why he would mind:
336-884-7394 ... but please only call him with serious inquiries since I’m not sure if he wanted his # publicized.

oh, and about the power supply, i was concerned about it myself but he told me that swapping it for a more expensive one won't make much difference since the one that he provides is already tweaked.

Thanks! That's the same number I've got for him. Rang it yesterday with no answer. I did find out that he's got some huge project due on Thursday that he's devoting all his time to right now and will answer emails afterwords - so by weeks end I should have one of the tubedac+'s ordered up!!

Also, excellent to hear about the power supply, now the only thing I'll need for a tweak is a Herbies Hal-o!

Hantra · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 05:10 pm »

Byteme:

I doubt herbie will help you out. Seriously, I tried a brass damper on mine, and heard absolutely no difference. Also, Scott was saying how the circuit was built, and that tube rolling wouldn't do much to change it either.

If you find out differently, let us know! Just wanted to let you know what I have already tried. . .

Good luck!

B

byteme · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 05:33 pm »

Hantra, thanks! I figured for $10 I'd give it a shot. I've got one on my SFL-1 and don't know if it's really doing anything or not. Also, that's great info about tube rolling - that was going to be my next post/question once I got it and compared it to my CIA VDA-1 which, from all reports, the tubedac+ should put the CIA up for sale!

jasonc · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 11:41 pm »

FYI.. my t dac is up for sale in the trading post. I love it and will most likely buy another one in the future.. but right now my needs are for a good standalone player and can't afford both at this moment.

arthur · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 08:56 am »

after replacing all of my ICs with a couple of short pairs of Bolder Type 2s and giving them plenty of time to burn in (along with the DAC) i must say that i'm ABSOLUTELY satisfied with the DAC. It is a truly no-nonsence audiophile product at a mid-fi price. if Scott Nixon was one of the scoundrels that most of us are well aware of in the audiophile market, he could have easily encased the DAC in a toaster with some gold lettering and raised the price tag tenfold (without even retaining the ability to make toast).

my final impressions of the product: it will stand up to any DAC, regardless of price, without even coming close to being put to shame. Worth every penny!

arthur · « **Reply #26 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 08:57 am »

after replacing all of my ICs with a couple of short pairs of Bolder Type 2s and giving them plenty of time to burn in (along with the DAC) i must say that i'm ABSOLUTELY satisfied with the DAC. It is a truly no-nonsence audiophile product at a mid-fi price. if Scott Nixon was one of the scoundrels that most of us are well aware of in the audiophile market, he could have easily encased the DAC in a toaster with some gold lettering and raised the price tag tenfold (without even retaining the ability to make toast).

my final impressions of the product: it will stand up to any DAC, regardless of price, without even coming close to being put to shame. Worth every penny!

arthur · « **Reply #27 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 08:58 am »

after replacing all of my ICs with a couple of short pairs of Bolder Type 2s and giving them plenty of time to burn in (along with the DAC) i must say that i'm ABSOLUTELY satisfied with the DAC. It is a truly no-nonsence audiophile product at a mid-fi price. if Scott Nixon was one of the scoundrels that most of us are well aware of in the audiophile market, he could have easily encased the DAC in a toaster with some gold lettering and raised the price tag tenfold (without even retaining the ability to make toast).

my final impressions of the product: it will stand up to any DAC, regardless of price, without even coming close to being put to shame. Worth every penny!

Hantra · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 12:02 pm »

Quote

it will stand up to any DAC, regardless of price, without even coming close to being put to shame. Worth every penny!

Art, I am going to have to agree 100% with you. I have compared it to some mighty DAC's in the 6-10K range, and it bettered one, and fell just short of the other in width, and depth of soundstage. But I'll loose a foot on either side of my soundstage for $6,000.

B

ABEX · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 12:04 pm »

Wow,what were those DAC's?

I am using an smART DIO BTW.

Hantra · « **Reply #30 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 12:07 pm »

Quote

Wow,what were those DAC's?

I am using an smART DIO BTW.

Abex:

Go to page two of this thread for the details. They were a Zanden, and an AN 3.1x balanced. Both world class DAC's, but I didn't like the Zanden as much as either of the other two. The AN bettered my SN, but very marginally, and not in many areas.

I've also compared the SN to the DI/O. Check the Critic's Circle for the skinny on that.

B