[toxteth ogrady]

I'm looking for a non over sampling dac like the Scott Nixon SaruDac+ or possibly the Ack!Industries dAck! Anybody try one of these out? Also has anybody tried the upgraded power supply from Scott Nixon?

[Hantra]

I have heard the Saru version, but I have not been able to compare it directly to the version I have, which is the regular tubed version.  

Definitely go for the upgraded power supply.  It makes a very nice difference for the money. . .

B

[Jay S]

This is very interesting.  Scott has lots of great choices at different price points:

Dac: $250
TubeDac: $350
SaruDac+:  $350  (TubeDac+ with a SS video buffer rather than a tube)
TubeDac+:  $450

Add in the 3xac power supply for $115 and you have a price range from $250 to $565.  Lots of great choices.

I'd love to hear more of how these different flavors compare, particularly the SaruDac+ vs the TubeDac+.   They are the same apart from the buffer stage... tube vs SS!  

Another point... Scott has revised the TubeDac/+ so that the tube is a buffer rather than an output stage.  Any idea of how the performance compares with the older version of the TubeDac?

[byteme]

I'm not sure how that sounds, however, I remember in talking to Scott that the difference between the Tubedac and the Tubedac + was that the + used the Blackgates and some other changes to "voice" the DAC to sound more like an oversampling DAC in that it had that artificial digital "air" around cymbals and other higher range stuff.  You may want to ask him if the SS + version is similarly voiced.  For my money, the tubedac can't be beat!!

[byteme]

Definitely go for the upgraded power supply.  It makes a very nice difference for the money. . .

B

Wholeheartedly agree!!

[Jay S]

I'm not sure how that sounds, however, I remember in talking to Scott that the difference between the Tubedac and the Tubedac + was that the + used the Blackgates and some other changes to "voice" the DAC to sound more like an oversampling DAC in that it had that artificial digital "air" around cymbals and other higher range stuff.  You may want to ask him if the SS + version is similarly voiced.  For my money, the tubedac can't be beat!!

Thanks for the reply.  If that is the case then I guess the SaruDac+ will sound a bit more like an oversampling dac, and a step further away from the midrange fullness of the TubeDac.  

In the end, it is a synergy thing, with equipment as well as room.  Its great to have lots of choices from one source like Scott, which helps you make apples to apples comparisons without hype getting in the way.

[Hantra]

Thanks for the reply. If that is the case then I guess the SaruDac+ will sound a bit more like an oversampling dac, and a step further away from the midrange fullness of the TubeDac.

Not sure I agree with this.  The TubeDAC+ will sound more like oversampling.  The Saru sounds very similar to the TubeDAC.  It does have a bit more low-end grunt, and meat to it, but I don't think it sounds more like oversampling with the extra sizzle like the Tube+.  

B

[Jay S]

Ok, but isn't the SaruDac+ the TubeDac+ with the exception that it uses a Burr Brown video buffer rather than a tube?

[MaxCast]

I have the TubeDac with upgraded power supply.  I auditioned it against the MENSA w/upgraded power supply, although not at the same time.  I missed it by three days.  From memory I liked the MENSA better.   l liked the high end and presence of the MENSA over the TD.  I would love to try differnt tubes with the TD.  Any suggestions??

I don't know how much the upgraded power supply helps.  I asked Scott, "for the hundred bucks what would you recommend, the upgraded PS or the TubeDac+?"  He suggested I go with the PS.  So I didi.

[Hantra]

Ok, but isn't the SaruDac+ the TubeDac+ with the exception that it uses a Burr Brown video buffer rather than a tube?

You're right. . .  My bad. . .  I was mistaken.  I thought he compared it to my DAC when he was discussing the sound. .

B