Maverick Audio DAC tour

shadowlight · « **Reply #220 on:** 28 Mar 2010, 11:31 pm »

Quote from: evan1 on 27 Mar 2010, 11:30 am

1 of each

LT1364CN8#PBF IC OP-AMP HI-SPD 70MHZ DUAL 8DIP
LM4562NA-ND IC OPAMP AUDIO STER AB 8DIP

Evan,

Did you get the opamp replacements? If yes, any insight? Anyone else try the opa627 as replacement for dac opamp swap? I guess I better start reading the 92 page thread on head-hi to get more information.

etcarroll · « **Reply #221 on:** 29 Mar 2010, 12:49 am »

You best get reading, then give me the Cliff Notes version.

evan1 · « **Reply #222 on:** 29 Mar 2010, 08:17 am »

They are in route. Takes about a week.

ken · « **Reply #223 on:** 29 Mar 2010, 12:22 pm »

Thanks Mariusz,

I double checked everything on Saturday and as expected I had it wired to my pre incorrectly, the bypass works just fine. I'm really enjoying my time with it so far. In case anyone is wondering I'll be giving making the handoff to Shadowlight in the middle of the week

evan1 · « **Reply #224 on:** 29 Mar 2010, 08:17 pm »

Quote from: ken on 29 Mar 2010, 12:22 pm

Thanks Mariusz,

Thanks Mariusz,

I double checked everything on Saturday and as expected I had it wired to my pre incorrectly, the bypass works just fine. I'm really enjoying my time with it so far. In case anyone is wondering I'll be giving making the handoff to Shadowlight in the middle of the week

Give us your impression of the DAC

shadowlight · « **Reply #225 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 12:45 am »

Any input on the CBS Blackgateshttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330418262368&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4545wt_1165 tubes?

etcarroll · « **Reply #226 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 01:09 am »

Well, I just popped my tube cherry and bought a pair of these;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330417091680&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

All I need now is something to put them in.

evan1 · « **Reply #227 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 08:06 am »

same dealer

ken · « **Reply #228 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 12:35 pm »

Quote from: evan1 on 29 Mar 2010, 08:17 pm

Give us your impression of the DAC

Like I stated earlier I have never heard or owned another dac so unfortunately I have nothing to compare it to but anyone in a similar situation can expect to hear a much cleaner and clearer presentation with better instrument dilineation and less smearing. I particularly enjoyed listening to cd's such as Van Morrison's Astral Weeks and Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus, and any Traffic fans out there will love the way songs like John Barleycorn must die and Rainmaker will sound .
The pre section in the Maverick is ok but nothing special, I much prefered bypassing it and lisening with my TAD 150 - streaming audio via the usb was better than expected. Perhaps others who may have heard other dacs in this price range like the MF V-dac and various other inexpensive Chinese dacs can comment but I can't possibly see how you can go wrong with the Maverick at it's given price point. I can only imagine how it will sound with better tubes and opamps. I know I'll miss it when it's gone

evan1 · « **Reply #229 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 08:11 pm »

Quote from: ken on 30 Mar 2010, 12:35 pm

Like I stated earlier I have never heard or owned another dac so unfortunately I have nothing to compare it to but anyone in a similar situation can expect to hear a much cleaner and clearer presentation with better instrument dilineation and less smearing. I particularly enjoyed listening to cd's such as Van Morrison's Astral Weeks and Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus, and any Traffic fans out there will love the way songs like John Barleycorn must die and Rainmaker will sound .
The pre section in the Maverick is ok but nothing special, I much prefered bypassing it and lisening with my TAD 150 - streaming audio via the usb was better than expected. Perhaps others who may have heard other dacs in this price range like the MF V-dac and various other inexpensive Chinese dacs can comment but I can't possibly see how you can go wrong with the Maverick at it's given price point. I can only imagine how it will sound with better tubes and opamps. I know I'll miss it when it's gone

Buy one and you will not miss a thing

ltr317 · « **Reply #230 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 06:10 pm »

Quote from: Mariusz on 26 Mar 2010, 04:30 pm

Cool. Did you try SS out or you did not bather ?

PS

Hope you got extra tubes for me Paul?

Cheers
Mariusz

Mariusz,

I finally tried the ss out and it's okay but a little harsh. The tube pre-out is preferred. I'll be passing the dac to Martin in the next couple of days.

I'm getting the GE 5670W NOS sleeve in the next day or two. I'm saving one each for Mariusz and Deepak. If anyone else is interested I will have two more for sale. They are cheap.

Paul

p.s. Mariusz - count me on the group buy. As I stated before, the Maverick is a no-brainer.

Mariusz · « **Reply #231 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:08 pm »

Thanks for the GE nos bottle Paul.
I really appreciate it.

As to SS out impressions, that was predictable.
Glad you enjoyed it.

Group buy ???? Sure! But we need more locals...... Perhaps NYAR group buy?????

Best
Mariusz

evan1 · « **Reply #232 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:30 pm »

Quote from: ltr317 on 31 Mar 2010, 06:10 pm

Mariusz,

I finally tried the ss out and it's okay but a little harsh. The tube pre-out is preferred. I'll be passing the dac to Martin in the next couple of days.

I'm getting the GE 5670W NOS sleeve in the next day or two. I'm saving one each for Mariusz and Deepak. If anyone else is interested I will have two more for sale. They are cheap.

Paul

p.s. Mariusz - count me on the group buy. As I stated before, the Maverick is a no-brainer.

More non believers

evan1 · « **Reply #233 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:32 pm »

Opamps arrived to day. Time for some surgery.

rajacat · « **Reply #234 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:46 pm »

Has anybody compared the Maverick to either the Mhdt Paradisea or the Constantine. I have the Constantine but I'm interested in the Maverick however I'm not sure if it would be enough of an upgrade(if any) to be worthwhile.

-Roy

evan1 · « **Reply #235 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:53 pm »

Quote from: rajacat on 31 Mar 2010, 07:46 pm

Has anybody compared the Maverick to either the Mhdt Paradisea or the Constantine. I have the Constantine but I'm interested in the Maverick however I'm not sure if it would be enough of an upgrade(if any) to be worthwhile.

-Roy

If you go through the thread I compared it to the Pradisea and I was hard pressed to tell the difference

evan1 · « **Reply #236 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:53 pm »

Surgery a success

Mariusz · « **Reply #237 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 07:57 pm »

Quote from: evan1 on 31 Mar 2010, 07:32 pm

Opamps arrived to day. Time for some surgery.

please take pictures Even.
You're good with the camera and trustworthy with follow ups.
Hopefully it was a worthy investment ?

Quote from: rajacat on 31 Mar 2010, 07:46 pm

Has anybody compared the Maverick to either the Mhdt Paradisea or the Constantine. I have the Constantine but I'm interested in the Maverick however I'm not sure if it would be enough of an upgrade(if any) to be worthwhile.

-Roy

Probably not....... (I am saying it because we have no more vacancies on the tour).

But honestly, you have to try it for yourself.. Then roll some tubes, swap opamps and come with your own conclusions. If you are looking for reference DAC, this might not be it but if you need good DAC, need an preamp, listen to cans on occasions, need a computer audio hub or building a second system. Then, I would say 100% go for it.

YMMV

Mariusz

ltr317 · « **Reply #238 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 08:44 pm »

Evan claimed another GE 5670W, so have one left for sale.

evan1 · « **Reply #239 on:** 31 Mar 2010, 09:11 pm »

Initial impression of opamp change is dead on. Less shrill, better bass and I think more laid back. I will have to give it

. A worthy upgarde.For my ears that is. We will see what happens. I am also breaking in some new Mullards on my Pre and I also have more Grover cables on the way