[jmimac351]

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[Early B.]

Interesting.  How did you like it?

I dunno. That was a decade ago, so in audiophile years, that's like it happened in the 1960's. I don't recall how many amps I've owned since then. I haven't run across any gear yet that I regret selling. 

[jmimac351]

You have all the bases covered on fun stuff!

I have 3 main objectives in Life:

1) Take care of my wife

2) Spread Joy

3) Have Fun

At the racetrack, I have helped thousands of people create lifetime memories.  Literally.  You'll never forget riding in a race car...

[Jaytor]

I have 3 main objectives in Life:

1) Take care of my wife

2) Spread Joy

3) Have Fun

At the racetrack, I have helped thousands of people create lifetime memories.  Literally.  You'll never forget riding in a race car...

Great objectives.

My wife and I took a 3-day race car driving course at PIR in Portland a number of years ago. Had a blast and it definitely improved my driving skills on the road. I've never raced head-to-head, but have done a couple dozen track days over the past few decades. Lots of fun!

Both my kids took the skid car class when they were first learning to drive. It helped my daughter avoid an accident when a truck jack-knifed in front of her.

[Jaytor]

In case anyone is interested, here is the design I am building for the F5m boards. I ended up doing a new PCB because the footprint I used for one of the relays was incorrect (one of these days, I will learn my lesson to not trust the community-provided footprints  ).

I took the opportunity to make a few improvements to my initial design. I beefed up the terminal block connectors for the main power and speaker connectors, changed the op-amp to a single (instead of a dual) that has a bit lower offset current, and I added a couple protection diodes on the input of the op-amp to make sure the input never gets too large (which could be an issue during power on and off).

The design assumes a main power supply that is roughly +/- 24V. It also uses a second 12v power supply for the DC protection circuit and for switching the input relay to balanced. I plan to use a small AC/DC converter module connected to the main power switch. This will turn on and (more importantly) off much faster than the main supply, so that the outputs will be disconnected immediately on power off.

A switch on the back panel will connect the 12V supply to the input selector relay to select balanced inputs.

I am still going to finish building the rev1 board to test out all the circuits before I send this version out for fab.

[jmimac351]

Cool!  I peeked at the DIY Store to see if the kit had been posted yet...

[BrandonB]

Cool!  I peaked at the DIY Store to see if the kit had been posted yet...

I seen some of the aegir 2 info from Schiit on their YouTube channel.  Do you feel that your Are equipment sounds close to tubes?  I am building my NX-otica's and I have a really good sounding SMc audio  A/B amp but I feel like I will probably need a tube preamp.  I tried to find out the output impedance on my amp but wasn't successful.  Oh by the way I was checking out your work website and curious approximately a day at the track cost with a car?

[mkrawcz]

This amp might be worthy of consideration on a tighter budget.
https://www.galion-audio.com/pages/ts-a75

[BrandonB]

This amp might be worthy of consideration on a tighter budget.
https://www.galion-audio.com/pages/ts-a75

Interesting I didn't know Gallion came out with a solid state amp.

[jmimac351]

.

[mkrawcz]

The ANK DAC's look very interesting.

Just got this bad boy up and running. Took me 30 seconds to decide that I’m selling all my other DACs.

[BrandonB]

Just got this bad boy up and running. Took me 30 seconds to decide that I’m selling all my other DACs.

What other DAC's have you had?

[mkrawcz]

What other DAC's have you had?

Oh boy, here we go. Holo Spring 3, Gustard r26, Gustard A26, Matrix element X, SMSL VMV D1se, Topping E70, E50, Geshelli J2 AK4499/4493/ess. Emotiva XDA3, Cambridge 851N/CXN v1.

[BrandonB]

Oh boy, here we go. Holo Spring 3, Gustard r26, Gustard A26, Matrix element X, SMSL VMV D1se, Topping E70, E50, Geshelli J2 AK4499/4493/ess. Emotiva XDA3, Cambridge 851N/CXN v1.

That is a strong statement.  There are some nice DAC's in that list. 

[Early B.]

Just got this bad boy up and running. Took me 30 seconds to decide that I’m selling all my other DACs.

Not surprising. A well-implemented tube component makes music sound musical.

[mkrawcz]

That is a strong statement.  There are some nice DAC's in that list.

All those DACs are more detailed than the ANK, but the ANK has a natural texture that I simply like.

[mkrawcz]

All those DACs are more detailed than the ANK, but the ANK has a natural texture that I simply like.

Although, I am using the stock tubes which are just EH6922. I am sure once I have a couple hundred hours on it and swap out the stock tubes for some better 6922 line tubes, the detail will improve a lot.

[BrandonB]

All those DACs are more detailed than the ANK, but the ANK has a natural texture that I simply like.

Have you ever listened to the Border patrol SE-1.  They seem like they might be similar. 

[Jaytor]

Have you ever listened to the Border patrol SE-1.  They seem like they might be similar.

The Border Patrol DAC has a nice smooth sound with a laid-back presentation. It doesn't have the detail of higher-end DACs but is non-fatiguing and easy to listen to. It depends on what you are looking for. For me, the Border Patrol was too laid back.

I would imagine that the ANK DACs, particularly the upper models, would have the smoothness of the Border Patrol, but hopefully with more detail, sharper image focus, and a deeper/wider soundstage.

For the price, the Border Patrol is worth considering if you are looking for that kind of sound. Personally, I'd choose one of the Denafrips, Holo, or Schitt DACs in the same price range. But I like a more forward presentation and more detail than the Border Patrol offers.

[mkrawcz]

Have you ever listened to the Border patrol SE-1.  They seem like they might be similar.

I don’t have any experience with the Border patrol. Looking at the inside of it, I doubt it’s on the same level as the ANK. The parts in the ANK are about the best you can get.

The Border Patrol DAC has a nice smooth sound with a laid-back presentation. It doesn't have the detail of higher-end DACs but is non-fatiguing and easy to listen to. It depends on what you are looking for. For me, the Border Patrol was too laid back.

I would imagine that the ANK DACs, particularly the upper models, would have the smoothness of the Border Patrol, but hopefully with more detail, sharper image focus, and a deeper/wider soundstage.

The ANK I have is still well detailed, with a really good image focus. I still need to get about 100 more hrs on it to see how it turns out. So far I like it a lot. It’s making me want to build the 5.1 which I’m sure will be a significant upgrade.