Maverick Audio DAC tour

Mariusz · « **on:** 2 Mar 2010, 01:29 am »

Hi everyone
I have two D-1 tube DAC units on the way to New York.
One unit will stay here and will circle among friends and local audiophiles.
Second unit can be send out to Cheap and Cheerful Circle friends who would like to take it for a test drive.

Please contact me via PM for more info and to sign for the tour.
Limited number. Those who participated in MiniWatt tour get the first pick.
Need 4 - 6 stand up guys.

Tour will start in two weeks (units are expected to arrive next week).
www.mav-audio.com

Best
Mariusz

Mariusz · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 02:27 am »

New York Maverick Audio DAC tour list is CLOSED!!!

Thanks guys!!

Best
Mariusz

Mariusz · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 07:50 pm »

2nd unit tour:
I have two fellow audiophiles from N.J and myself.
We have a room for few more guys on this list.

Best
Mariusz

jtwrace · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 07:52 pm »

Is this your dac?

Mariusz · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 07:57 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 3 Mar 2010, 07:52 pm

Is this your dac?

one of them is.

Mariusz · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 10:15 pm »

Lists closed!

Mariusz

Mariusz · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 11:25 pm »

What’s included:

Maverick Audio Tube Magic DAC
User’s quick start guide
Line-in cord for most iPod and other MP3 players with standard 3.5 mm jack
USB cable
1/8″ (3.5mm) to 1/4″ (6.5mm) gold plated headphone jack converter
AC Power Cord

Audio inputs

Optical audio input x 1 (Digital)
Coaxial audio input x 1 (Digital)
USB connector x 1 (Digital)
Analog audio input x 1 (Analog)
Line-in audio input x 1 (Analog)
Optical connector: TOSLINK 660nm
Coax connector: RCA, 500mVpp into 75 ohms
Analog connector: RCA, 1000k ohms
Accepted sample rates: 32khz, 44.1Khz, 48Khz, 88.2Khz, 96Khz
Accepted audio format: linear PCM, 16, 20 or 24 bits per sample
Audio outputs:

All RCA connectors are gold-plated
Volume control is provided for all outputs
Two dedicated linear power regulators for DAC and line-out stages
Dedicated linear power regulators for Tube stage
Analog RCA outputs signal-to-noise ratio: >96dB
Tube pre-out outputs signal-to-noise ration: >90dB
Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.001% (RCA outputs), less than 0.1% (Tube pre-out outputs)
Maximum output power: 1000mW x 2 (32 ohms), 500mW x 2 (300 ohms), 300mW x 2 (600 ohms)
Headphone outputs:

Standard 1/4″ jack
Minimum headphone impedance: 16 ohms
Maximum headphone impedance: 600 ohms
Headphone output power: 300mW ~ 1000mW
Power:

R-core Linear 110/220 manual switch
Physical:

Dimensions: 10″W x 2.1″H x 6.5″D (260mm x 55mm x 167mm)
Finish: brushed aluminum in black color
5-foot gold plated RCA audio cable
5-foot Toslink/Optical Cable

5-foot gold plated headphone jack to RCA cable

1/8″ (3.5mm) to 1/4″ (6.5mm) gold plated headphone jack converter

mjosef · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 11:28 pm »

Looks sharp, but is it 'cheap and cheerful'?

Mariusz · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 11:41 pm »

Quote from: mjosef on 3 Mar 2010, 11:28 pm

Looks sharp, but is it 'cheap and cheerful'?

I think (hope) so. Bought one of the tour units. The other one is (99%) also sold.

Not sure if you remember but I was looking for inexpensive DAC a while back.
It seems like Tube Magic D-1 will fit the bill.
Bunch of features, tube to roll (ss or tube out), head-amp, preamp/volume, USB what is not to like.
$199 shipped ain't bad either.

Cheers
Mariusz

ebag4 · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 11:45 pm »

Dang, I missed it. Looks great, nice set of features. Another great find Mariusz!

Best,
Ed

mjosef · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 11:48 pm »

YEah, that cheap alright. Now we need to have a showdown with the EE DAC which has a tube output also. I heard the EE DAC at Levi last Saturday, and it sounded pretty good.

Mariusz · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Mar 2010, 11:58 pm »

Quote from: mjosef on 3 Mar 2010, 11:48 pm

YEah, that cheap alright. Now we need to have a showdown with the EE DAC which has a tube output also. I heard the EE DAC at Levi last Saturday, and it sounded pretty good.

I am not sure if $200 DAC can hold its ground to $800 EE.
In my case, I will use it as a pre/dac to go with D-amp kit for another $200 and Jordan driver based speakers/source - Logitech Touch ($250 after coupons).

This should make a nice 1K system.

Best
Mariusz

ltr317 · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 12:09 am »

Quote from: Mariusz on 3 Mar 2010, 11:58 pm

I am not sure if $200 DAC can hold its ground to $800 EE.
In my case, I will use it as a pre/dac to go with D-amp kit for another $200 and Jordan driver based speakers/source - Logitech Touch ($250 after coupons).

This should make a nice 1K system.

Best
Mariusz

Even if the sound quality is close to the EE Dac, it's a bargain at a third of the cost. I'm sure some folks will mod it for better sound, if it hasn't been done already. Plus, it has so many features for a budget dac.

I was going to buy a headphone amp for around $100-$200, so this is a no-brainer.

Can't wait to try it on the tour.

mjosef · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 12:15 am »

Hey Paul when you get your turn at it let me know, I can pop over to your place and hear it.

ltr317 · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 12:36 am »

Quote from: mjosef on 4 Mar 2010, 12:15 am

Hey Paul when you get your turn at it let me know, I can pop over to your place and hear it.

Sure, will do. But you might have to fight Levi for a seat. He might bring the EE over and we'll have a mini dac shootout with the modded ART DI/O, EE and Maverick. You want to bring over your candidate?

mjosef · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 12:41 am »

All I got is a loaner Zhalou, at least its in the same price ballpark.

ltr317 · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 01:04 am »

Quote from: mjosef on 4 Mar 2010, 12:41 am

All I got is a loaner Zhalou, at least its in the same price ballpark.

If that's the same unit you brought over last time, then leave it home. The modded DI/O was warmer and fuller sounding. We will have enough to compare. I'm guessing the EE should have the most detail because of the Sabre chip, but we'll see.

Mariusz · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 01:07 am »

Quote from: ltr317 on 4 Mar 2010, 12:36 am

Sure, will do. But you might have to fight Levi for a seat. He might bring the EE over and we'll have a mini dac shootout with the modded ART DI/O, EE and Maverick. You want to bring over your candidate?

That's cool. I am sure you guys will have a lot of fun.
But honestly, I'm not much interested in "JUST" DAC section shoot out but face-off between D-1 and Eastern Electric because of the similarities as far as features are concern.

I have a nice DAC with more or less the same features (minus the analog in). It might be possible to compare D-1 to it but price ratio is not even funny.

Quick note:
Maverick Audio helped me orginized this tour and is looking forward to user impressions and feedback. Also, Ryan of Maverick Audio tells me that future tour(s) is possible. We won't spill the beans just yet but new product will be definitely worthy "Cheap & Cheerful hifi" Circle.

Thanks for participating and looking forward to D-1 impressions.

P.S

Will post more details ones D-1 units arrive.

Best
Mariusz

ken · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 06:50 pm »

Mariusz,

Thanks for fitting me in. How many dacs are actually out there for that price that are also preamps as well. Looking forward to the demo. Unfortunately I'll have nothing to compare it to as I have never owned or heard an external dac. I think I need to get out more.

etcarroll · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 07:13 pm »

This looks like a nice unit, any chance a tour will be setup mid-Atlantic, SE PA & upper MD & DE?