Ack! dAck! vs. Scott Nixon battery DAC

miklorsmith · « **on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:46 pm »

Anybody compared these?

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 03:52 pm »

Check the archives. A big comparison was done b/t the Ack dAck v1 and the Tube Dac +.

Michael

gary · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 04:45 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71

Check the archives. A big comparison was done b/t the Ack dAck v1 and the Tube Dac +.

Michael

The Tube Dac + isn't the same thing at all as the DacKit running off a battery...
Unfortunately I haven't heard the Ack so I can't comment on it but the battery-powered nixon dac sounds astoundingly good IMO, and makes my previous dac seem like a bad joke.

Gary

miklorsmith · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 04:49 pm »

Also, the dAck! v.2 is reported to be a tremendous step forward from earlier versions. The Clari-T is so good in my system, I figure it has to be at least partly Vitamin B Power!

Dmason · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 06:57 pm »

I am about to be able to compare the two and will post when the time is right. I have ordered an all out assault, final push, tactical masterstroke of the battery paradigm:

An integrated ClariT amp with an Ack Dack hardwired to the amp chip. Black Gate 10X power supply capacitors, ladder-resistor volume attenuation, post-attenuator dual outputs for sub/digital EQ, Greyhill input selection, OTA continuous cast Cu leads on everything, all first class, right down to the gold plated knobs on the front. I am naming this custom product The Reali-T

I believe so strongly in battery powered T amps and non-OS DAC's, not to mention Vinnie's obvious talent in his new gig, that I had to do this.

I look forward to any "improvements" or differences I may prefer, to put it more aptly, as I think objectively, this sound is close to as good as it gets. Look for a full review in the coming weeks, as this little weapon will have a chance to hang with some heavy company, such as the mighty Tannoy Westminsters and EdgarHorns, but also the Ciare dipole, Radian 5812, and Jordan based, Greg Monfort designed MLTL.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 07:13 pm »

Holy shite... I'd like to hear that!

Is this something that's actually going to be offered for sale?

Bwanagreg · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 07:15 pm »

Yeah Dan, that sounds like a real winner. Kepp us posted for sure.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 07:29 pm »

An entire system without one single RCA. Direct digital stream to the amplifier (more or less). This is very exciting. I've already sold off half of my carefully crafted system. Thinking like this puts the other half in serious jeopardy.

Dmason · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 07:55 pm »

Mike,

it's thinking like this that puts the entire "high end" industry in jeopardy trust me.

Now you know the difference wrought by all the clever owner-modifications and enhancements to single wide range drivers, like your Fostex 206 you should triangulate your current position, and the ley-line which leads directly to the Trading Post and Audiogon. Do the correct thing here with respect to combining battery amps AND source, --one amplifies the other, (trust me) then apply great wideband/high sensitivity drivers around which you can sprinkle ribbon and horn tweeters, subs, digital EQ, and have the kind of sound the great unwashed either dreams of, or spends many times the investment for, and only approximates.
This is one Rx that WORKS!

Get Vinnie to cook you up a TLC battery source, because once the internet reviews start landing, he isn't going to be able to come up for air, he's going to be so busy.

marklivia · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 09:29 pm »

Doc, you are always at least one step (and a few $$$) ahead of the rest of us. Burned in the ClariT... I'm sold, having Vinnie replace the stock rca's and speaker inputs. Now you are taking it to a WHOLE new level.
Love the idea of hardwiring the dac...brilliant!
And the quality stepped attenuator will help too. I NEED a report.(I need cash). Vinnie is getting real busy, for sure. Mark