[KT]

After spending the last half year or more listening to the Monica II dac, I finally got the parts to upgrade my SN TubeDac+.

Mods include Auricap .1uF caps as the SPDIF input caps (don't know if this actually makes a difference in this position), Riken resistors between the dac out into the grid of the output tube (originally Dale military grade metal film), Sovtek 6922 tube, 33uF 16v Blackgate N output caps, and EAR Isodamp sandwich mounts from Michael Percy.

All I can say is the thing sounds glorious. Very luscious, involving, rich, and relaxed.

When I received the TubeDac+, it was originally equipped with 100uF Rubycon ZA output caps which I found to sound thin and steely. After a period of burn-in, I seriously thought I made a mistake and almost sold the dac before I decided to make some substitutions.

I first changed the ouput caps to 100uF 6.3v Blackgate Nx, which sounded much better than the Rubycon ZA's.

As I researched further, though, I came across a discussion which concluded that the Blackgate N series sounded significantly better than their Nx series.

After then switching to the 33uF 16v N's, I can say this is absolutely true. The N's are much more musical than the Nx (I found the same thing using 100uF 16V N's, but those were much too big physically), and this finally brought my experimenting with the dac to a close.

So with the Blackgate N's and all the other mods, the TubeDac+ has finally "arrived" as far as I'm concerned, and it sounds great.

Interestingly, the Monica II, DacKit, and TubeDac+ all sound a bit different, but all are great sounding and I would be happy living with any of them.

Anyone else enjoying their non-OS dacs?

Best,
KT

[MaxCast]

I've been enjoying my Tube DAC for over a year.  Maybe I should check with Scott on upgrading to the + version.  When I bought it I asked if he had to pick the +  version or the 3xac which would he pick.  He said go with the ps.

[GHM]

You betcha!! I enjoy mine very much. It is one of the first components that I have no desire to replace for some time to come. It's the best digital source I've owned and I wouldn't dream of replacing it. I even watch movies with mine as the decoder.  

[lcrim]

I've had the TubeDac+ since the beginning of the year, in addition to a SN Chibi Dac in my other system for about the same amount of time.  My transports are PC based w/ a Creative Audigy 2 NX, a USB device in front of the Tube Dac+ and a SB3 in front of the Chibi.
I had asked for DAC suggestion on this forum previous to this purchase and I guess I'm reaching a point in the burn-in process that the final character has emerged.  I think that so-called NOS Dac sound is right for me.  There is a definite character to this type of Dac that I find more relaxing and less fatiguing.  I also listen to vinyl a great deal and to me digital is still digital and there is no mistaking the two.  
I am pretty sensitive to harshness and have begun to realize that both my equipment and music choices tend to reflect this.  The Scott Nixon Dacs are very good choices in this regard.  I have never heard really high end digital converters but this present setup has greatly reduced the harshness inherent in digital in my experience, though not completely eliminated it.  Detail retrieval and  soundstage increases in both depth and width as well as layering are greatly improved as well.  
It has taken me a few years to begin to get an understanding of how to get even acceptable quality in playback and these two products along w/ PC audio do provide very high value for cost. I did purchase the optional power supplies and  a phase inversion switch on the Chibi because the preamp in that system inverts absolute phase and the Tube Dac+ has switchable inputs between coax and fiber.  Scott threw in these switches w/o any upcharge.  
In the system that employs the TubeDac+ , I use Foobar 2K as a player and that permits a software "resampling" which I don't use any more.  It is a software implementation of oversampling which many people find very useful and appealing.  In my setup it didn't sound better, possibly because the laptop I am using is an older model lacking a a fast enough processor.  I just liked it more w/o resampling.

[KT]

I've been enjoying my Tube DAC for over a year.  Maybe I should check with Scott on upgrading to the + version.  When I bought it I asked if he had to pick the +  version or the 3xac which would he pick.  He said go with the ps.

You may want to ask Scott about this. If I understand correctly, there were two iterations of the TubeDac+. I think the first version had the sinc filter wired into the circuit by default and there was no way to switch it out. When I was first looking into the TubeDac+, there were comparisons with the AckDac and the TubeDac+ was found to be more agressive and edgy. I think it's because of the sinc filter.

The later version, I believe, had a sinc filter that you could switch in or out. It also came with upgraded components. Because of this, the newer version of the TubeDac+ is probably to some degree better sounding than the first "+" (some folks on the forum even expressed a preference for the plain TubeDac to this first version of the TubeDac+ - probably due to the edginess of the unswitchable sinc filter). Also, Scott started offering the phase reversal mod at this time.

I don't think the Rubycon ZA's output caps that came standard with the final version of the TubeDac+ are the best choice for this dac, however. It's subjective, of course, but I found the ZA's to sound , thin, bright, etched, mechanical, and steely - a far cry from the warmth, smoothness, and organicness of the Blackgate N's.

But I agree that the non-OS dacs do sound very, very good. With the Rikens and Blackgate N's in the circuit, I don't feel that the sinc filter is too bright or edgy. Most of the time it adds a nice sense of air to the high end.

Best,
KT

[albee]

I've been thrilled with my Lite Audio AH.  At $135 plus $35 shipping you can't beat it for plug and play.  (It does invert phase, though, and I did have to switch around one end of my speaker cabling to get it just right.)  

I hate to say it but the AH has a near analogue flavor to it and using it with Class D amplification helps it along.  (Caveat:  my turntable has been packed away since 1990!)

[Hantra]

Was it difficult to switch out to Auricaps?  I'd be very curious about that b/c I am a huge fan of the Audience house sound.

I am very happy with my TubeDAC+, and I haven't been able to beat it for the lower half of $10,000.  I thought I had it beaten for a bit with my Lynx2 card, but I realized I was no longer enjoying the emotion of the music.  So I went back, and haven't looked back since.

[Loftprojection]

I am very happy with my TubeDAC+, and I haven't been able to beat it for the lower half of $10,000.  I thought I had it beaten for a bit with my Lynx2 card, but I realized I was no longer enjoying the emotion of the music.  So I went back, and haven't looked back since.

Did you compare it against regular "high end" CD players, if so which ones?  I'm very happy with my Arcam CD23T that has the famous RingDAC inside but it would be a real treat to get rid of a component in my stack and be able to use either my PC or my DVD player as a source instead of a dedicated CD player.  However I'm really doubtful that this little tube DAC fed by either my Denon transport or my PC could equal or best my Arcam CD player.  What do you think?

By the way, anyone knows if Scott Nixon will ever come up with a USB version of his DAC?

[Hantra]

Did you compare it against regular "high end" CD players, if so which ones?  

By the way, anyone knows if Scott Nixon will ever come up with a USB version of his DAC?

You're in for a shocker if you have that player.  I have a friend in Florida who just replaced that exact player with a Nixon DAC and a good transport.  He won't stop telling me how good it is.  

Not going to name drop here b/c I've done that on many threads in the past that you can find on AC.  

Nevertheless, I've had the good fortune to hear an amazing amount of gear, and I've gone head to head with several CDP's and DAC's. Once you get used to non-OS, it's hard to go back.

[Hantra]

Ohh, and a USB version is close to fruition from what I've heard.  It's in the final tweaking stages.  You're dealing with a perfectionist here. . .  

[Loftprojection]

You're in for a shocker if you have that player. I have a friend in Florida who just replaced that exact player with a Nixon DAC and a good transport. He won't stop telling me how good it is. sm_lyellow.gif

Not going to name drop here b/c I've done that on many threads in the past that you can find on AC.

Nevertheless, I've had the good fortune to hear an amazing amount of gear, and I've gone head to head with several CDP's and DAC's. Once you get used to non-OS, it's hard to go back.

Ohh, and a USB version is close to fruition from what I've heard.  It's in the final tweaking stages.  You're dealing with a perfectionist here. . .  

Hum, interesting.  What is an example of "a good transport" or where do you get info on a good transport.  I've made a few tests in the past and found that the transport is very important, I think the transport in my CD23T is a Sony but not sure.  I have a DVD player (Denon 2900) that I could use as a transport but I don't think it's equivalent to the transport I have in the CD23T.   Even more interesting would be not to use a CD transport but rather play files from the harddisk directly to the DAC.  Is the harddisk considered the transport then?  That is only if the sound quality can be equal or better then the Arcam though, I would never want to go lower sound quality just for the sake of convenience.

Glad to know a USB version is coming, there hasn't been much change to the site (scott-nixon.com) for a year.

Thanks.

[miklorsmith]

I own a RWA Monica-2 and a dAck 2.0, and they're both excellent.  I had a fellow AC-er bring his TubeDAC with PS over (don't know whether it was a +).  We both thought the Monica was a better DAC.  I didn't have the dAck at the time but I find it to be a little more extended and a tad punchier than the Monica.  I do prefer the Monica in the livingroom system which has VMPS 626r's with their "revealing" ribbon tweeters.

The non-OS thing is very cool and I'd take any of these over a standard player's output.

[ctviggen]

I've had the Ack Dack 1.2d and the 2.0 in my system.  When I bought the 2.0, I took the 1.2d to compare at a friend's house.  He has an all proceed system with a proceed CDP.  We both thought the Proceed CDP was better than using the Proceed CDP as a transport to the Ack Dack 1.2d.

In my system, I use a Proceed PMDT (transport only) to the Ack Dack 2.0.  I have to say that a Bolder Cables-modified SB2 (using analog out of the SB2) sounded better than the Proceed PMDT-Ack Dack 2.0 combo, and I used the same interconnects (reality cables) on both.  On the other hand, I liked the PMDT-Ack Dack 2.0 better than using the DAC in my Proceed AVP and better than my Shengya CDP (though a retest of the latter is due because I used two different interconnects).  I also had a Pioneer Elite DVD player and liked the Ack Dack 1.2d (using the PE DVD as transport) better than the Pioneer Elite as CDP.  

My next tests will be using the Ack Dack 2.0 as a DAC for the SB2 and retesting the Shengya CDP.  If this test comes out as I think it will, I might be selling the Shengya.

[Hantra]

What is an example of "a good transport" or where do you get info on a good transport.  I've made a few tests in the past and found that the transport is very important, I think the transport in my CD23T is a Sony but not sure.

The Arcam is not a good transport.  That is based on my listening experience, as well as that of my friend who replaced his just a few weeks ago.  

The hard disk in my opinion is the best transport.  That's what I'm using now.  If I had to guess, I'd say that the 2900 is a better transport than the Arcam, but I haven't listened to a 2900 in this capacity.

Hope this helps,

B

[Loftprojection]

The Arcam is not a good transport.  That is based on my listening experience, as well as that of my friend who replaced his just a few weeks ago.  

The hard disk in my opinion is the best transport.  That's what I'm using now.  If I had to guess, I'd say that the 2900 is a better transport than the Arcam, but I haven't listened to a 2900 in this capacity.

Hope this helps,

B

Ya thanks, appreciated.  I'll take a look at Scott's site every now and then, maybe the usb version will pop up soon, I would prefer waiting for it since it's kind of convenient.  

When I purchased the Arcam player I had read a lot of positive feedback on the TubeDAC but at that time I didn't have any music on my computer.  Since then I started to "backup" my CD collection (around 500) with EAC .wav files to a big USB external harddisk.  So the convenience of having all my CDs on one media is fun but since I'm very picky with sound quality then I keep the Arcam player.  What I find intriguing about the TubeDAC is some comments that it brings life to recordings that are not that great.  My Arcam is very satisfying with well recorded jazz music but the prospect of improving the emotional aspect of not so well recorded CDs is tempting.  

Anyways, thanks again for your comments.

[Hantra]

Ya thanks, appreciated.  I'll take a look at Scott's site every now and then, maybe the usb version will pop up soon, I would prefer waiting for it since it's kind of convenient.  

You're better off calling Scott.  He's pretty busy, and doesn't often get to play with the site.  Report back and let us know what you end up doing!

[KT]

Was it difficult to switch out to Auricaps?  I'd be very curious about that b/c I am a huge fan of the Audience house sound.

Hanta,

Not really, as long as you're aware of this:

Once you strip the insulation off of the Auricap leads, you'll find that it's made out of a bundle of wrapped thin wires. The bundle is rather thick and often will not fit into a thru-hole designed for a standard wire lead. This used to be a real PIA for me.

But there's a way to deal with this: If you cut off the tinned end and examine the wires, you'll find that there's a core bundle that's covered by another layer of wire. This outer layer is spiral wrapped around the core bundle.

If you carefully take the strands of this outer layer and peel them down, much like you would peel a banana, you can then cut them where they enter the insulation. What you have left is a thin core bundle that's wrapped up tightly and regularly. If you tin this bundle, you now have a thin lead that will fit into most thru-holes designed for solid wire leads.

Remember that the Auricap is physically longer than the spacing for the cap on the board, so you'll have to leave enough lead length to bend them under the cap. When they're they're installed, this will leave a space of about 1cm between the board and the cap, which is suspended by its leads.

According to Audience, the signal should enter the black lead of the Auricap and exit through the red lead. As the signal in this position is a digital signal, I don't know if this orientation holds true, or even what kind of a difference, if any, a premium cap contributes in this position.

Following the suggested orientation, however, you'll find that both the red leads face one end of the board, and both black leads face the other.

Hope that helps!

Best,
KT

[KT]

We both thought the Monica was a better DAC....The non-OS thing is very cool and I'd take any of these over a standard player's output.

I, too, prefer the Monica II overall.

Although all are very good and different, I think the Monica II is able to highlight the relationships and interplay between musical lines the neither the DacKit nor TubeDac+ quite get. I've had a couple of "Ah, ha!" moments with the Monica II where I was clearly able to glean more insight into what was going on - stuff that wasn't exposed with the Nixon units.

That said, all are good. The TubeDac+ is clearly more on the tubey side: luxurious, smooth, lush, comfortable. A lot like riding in a luxury sedan.

The DacKit is like a really good sports coupe. The Monica II is similar, but it's a sports coupe with a really dialed in suspension system - better road feel and understanding of the course.

Depending on your system, however, you may find one or the other preferable. For example, I like the TubeDac+ with my tube preamp and class-D amp, but it's too warm for my single-ended 300B integrated. With a solid-state system, the non-tubed units can sound a wee bit dry, especially compared to the TubeDac+.

Best,
KT

[KT]

I've had the Ack Dack 1.2d and the 2.0 in my system....

Bob,

Can you describe the differences between the 1.2d and the 2.0?

I've heard rave reviews about the Ack Dack, and I've heard the 2.0 is supposed to be the better sounding unit. I've never heard either, myself.

Thanks,
KT

[Jon L]

I, too, prefer the Monica II overall.

Although all are very good and different, I think the Monica II is able to highlight the relationships and interplay between musical lines the neither the DacKit or TubeDac+ quite get. I've had a couple of "Ah, ha!" moments with the Monica II where I was clearly able to glean more insight into what was going on - stuff that wasn't exposed with the Nixon units.

That said, all are good. The TubeDac+ is clearly more on the tubey side: luxurious, smooth, lush, comfort ...

I think you bring up an important point.  I've been listening to a ton of DAC's of late, and I find that modern SS DAC's built to conform to a strict set of minimal measurement criteria sound surprisingly similar.  Most of these DACs, as neutral as they sound, would not be enjoyable as a long-term solution UNLESS there was one great tubed component somewhere downstream, in which case the sound can be stunning.  

Lots of tubed DAC's have much more variable sound characters than SS units, and tube rolling will make that even more variable.  Tubed DAC's would almost be a requirement in an all solid state system for my tastes.

In the end, it's STILL all about system matching to conform to the listner tastes.  After OD'ing on DAC's, I am sticking with my old, trusty Lynx 2B (with output adapter mods) feeding my VAC Renaissance tube amp.  Instead of buying a DAC, I've bought a pair of Silversmith Silver speaker cables, which is giving me so much more than the improvement I would have achieved by buying a DAC...

EDIT

Well, well, well.  It looks like Scot Nixon USB DAC is now for SALE!!

http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm