[dlparker]

I've gotten a later model used DAC from Frank and I'm selling this one. Have I over or under priced it? Not described it accurately? I'll also consider offers from anyone who reads this circle, and would be grateful for any comments, positive or negative.

THANKS!!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274543094610

[Ice10]

Just a quick question, if the by it now price is $450.00 why not put it on this site?  There’s likely a concentration of folks that know that piece of equipment here and you’ll know if you’re in the right price range by the interest shown in it.  Besides you can probably sell it for a less here since in my experience eBay is very proud of offering their services and will take a good chunk of cash after the sale.

[dlparker]

I'd definitely do that. I'll sell at $450 now to anyone who's seriously interested, and I'd be more than happy to send it in to ava and have them check it out. You're right about ebay, although I don't see that the cut they take is out of line. I'd be perfectly happy to have Frank take a cut if it sells on here, especially considering the fact that the brokerage service includes a full checkout of the item. It had been working perfectly when I took it out of the system, and only did that because I got a used 4-input one out of the 'used/ready to ship..' section.

[Ice10]

Thank you for not taking my post as a criticism.  I’m to blame because I don’t read the fine print but the last time I sold something on eBay I came close to owning them money when the sale was completed!

With the AVA circle on this site I think you’re going to have a good pool of folks familiar with the products.  I hope my assumption is correct...

[dlparker]

I didn't take it as criticism at all. I appreciate the feedback from any and all.

Actually I guess the best way to go would be to sell it through Frank. I need to pay him off on an item that I've got on hold, and going through AVA and having them take a cut off the top would eliminate all the anonymous entities the deal would have to go through if it sells on eBay. I've never met anyone either on the board or from AVA, but given the reputation Frank has earned over the last 50+ (?) years and all the feedback I've seen on this board - not to mention my own experience with the equipment - I'd much rather see the money go to AVA than to eBay.

Thanks for your comments!

[jjss49]

dave

the insight dac is a solid state output stage dac, correct?  i don't know the exact model evolution over time of frank's dacs

i am lucky to have 2 of frank's dacs in my possession, used in two different systems...

1) a FET TOPP Dac, circa 1998, Philips R2R chip, 12ax7 tube output stage, can't read anything other than redbook - but sounds soooo natural so much like music, not like so many 'x-ray vision' modern dacs

2) a FET Hybrid Dac, circa 2016, wit Wolfson DS chip, 6922 output stage... also sounds wonderful, reads the modern high bitrate stuff - very musical, a touch more dynamic perhaps

of course with the tube output stages in these the tonality can be subtly altered with targeted tube rolling...

good luck with your sale... anyone interested should know these modestly priced AVA DACs compete on sound quality with big dollar modern dacs out there, in musicality and 'analog-ness' if that is a word... 

[dlparker]

From what I could determine from the WABAC (?) machine on archive.org, this is a 2010 model. All solid-state, don't know the chips used. I think this was my 2nd (maybe 3rd) DAC from AVA. 1st was +/- $120 or so DAC that I purchased new from possibly Newark, with an upgraded chip. It was as much an eyeopener for me as was my 1st AVA product. Then another big jump with my first AVA DAC.

My take on the analog vs. digital debate is: "Analog is better, but calculus works".

[ArthurDent]

Dave,

Pretty sure the serial number is the date of manufacture/shipping with maybe an extra indicator number or two. My FV Ultra 550 is going back to Frank as trade-in on a new DAC Mk5 unit, and as we talked he asked about the serial number. I noted it's 090308l final two digits gave the year. Checking my Insight (+) unit the # is 090308e. It was originally an Insight received in '08, in '09 I bought the upgrade chips from Frank & replaced myself, making it a "+". You might check the name on the plate again as I'd guess if your's is a 2010 unit it's an "Insight +" as well, since once an upgrade hits the bench all new units are built that way.

Will be watching your listing as I'm thinning the herd myself and will be putting mine up before long. GLWS

JD

[dlparker]

Thanks JD!

It's 072408 - Jul 24 2008, right?

[dlparker]

It's also - "INSIGHT DAC - Parallel Processing D-to-A Converter", so it must be the original, pre-upgrade chips.

[ArthurDent]

It's also - "INSIGHT DAC - Parallel Processing D-to-A Converter", so it must be the original, pre-upgrade chips.

Welcome Dave. Yes, I think it was early '09 when he found a chip he liked better.

Be Safe -
JD

[JakeJ]

Back to the original question.  Th Audio Bluebook says the Insight DAC has an average used value of $631.16.  I think you have priced very well and should have a sale quite soon.