[parodielin]

I want to ask a quick question that might have been asked.

What's the difference between Pre-amp output and analog output?  Is the Tube being used only if someone uses pre-amp output?  If I connect a universal dvd player using digital input, what's the sequence of signal stages?  such as DAC->Tube->OPAMP?  or Tube->DAC->OPAMP?

Thx!

[srb]

The "Tube Pre Out" and "Normal" outputs are separate, and which one you use is a matter of personal preference and sound 'flavor'.
 
All of the digital inputs converted by the DAC and the two analog inputs go through the solid-state op-amp stage to the "Normal" analog out and through the tube ouput stage to the "Tube Pre Out" analog out.
 
(Digital Inputs > DAC + Analog Inputs) > Op-amp > "Normal" analog out
(Digital Inputs > DAC + Analog Inputs) > Tube > "Tube Pre Out" analog out
 
Steve

[parodielin]

So when people upgrade tube and opamp.  It is a either or relationship since the tube pre-amp does not use opamp at all. Is that correct?

I read the condensed thread saying you can swap out opamp on "DAC" and "AMP".  What does that mean?

Thx!

The "Tube Pre Out" and "Normal" outputs are separate, and which one you use is a matter of personal preference and sound 'flavor'.
 
All of the digital inputs converted by the DAC and the two analog inputs go through the solid-state op-amp stage to the "Normal" analog out and through the tube ouput stage to the "Tube Pre Out" analog out.
 
(Digital Inputs > DAC + Analog Inputs) > Op-amp > "Normal" analog out
(Digital Inputs > DAC + Analog Inputs) > Tube > "Tube Pre Out" analog out
 
Steve

[srb]

So when people upgrade tube and opamp.  It is a either or relationship since the tube pre-amp does not use opamp at all. Is that correct?

That is my understanding.

I read the condensed thread saying you can swap out opamp on "DAC" and "AMP".

There is one opamp for the "Normal" output and there is another opamp for the separate HEADPHONE ouput.  I believe the headphone opamp is the one they are referring to as "AMP".
 
Steve

[etcarroll]

Well the Maverick 1 is off to the next person, and here are my thoughts on the unit.

1- first I used it as a DAC, stock set up, to play my music from my desktop computer, from the motherboard to the analog input of the Maverick 1 then the tubed output into my Carver receiver, and from there to a pair of AV123 X-LS speakers. There was some minor improvement to the sound, a reduction in some jitter, a little bit more presence to the music in the mid range, and just a general improvement in the sound quality of the music.

2- then I used it as a preamp, stock set up, along with a class D amp and a Sony CD player, still with the X-LS speakers. This is certainly a fine example of cheap and cheerful hi-fi, this would be a great setup for someone's first true 'separates' sound system, a backup system in a bedroom, or maybe a child's set up in a dorm room. The sound it was very pleasant, again a well articulated mid range, but the lower end was a little bit lacking, and with classical music at the high-end, violins were a bit thin.

3- then I swapped out the class D amp for recently acquired old Bryston 4B amp, and that showed an immediate improvement in the lower end. Still, the lower end was a little flabby, and the highs were still little thin.

4- then I swapped out the stock tube for a Raytheon tube, and now things got interesting. The first thing I noticed was the attack of the musical notes was more pronounced, it seemed as though the music was inviting me within it. The bottom end firmed up significantly, and even the top end was able to reproduce the violins in some of the symphonies I auditioned without the thin affect. I could live with this setup if I had to.

The one thing I noticed that never improved was the spatial presentation of the music with the DAC. The music always sounded like it was coming out of the boxes.

Still, for $199, I don't have a problem recommending this unit to anyone in the market for an inexpensive but effective DAC.

[etcarroll]

One other issue, I connected the CD player to the Maverick one via optical cable, and every time a song change there was a distinct clicking sound within the Maverick one. It's almost as though the power system was opening and closing and opening a relay of some sort. Although not an especially bad sound, it was a distinct sound, and I can hear it while I was sitting up to 10 feet away. I don't remember if I heard the same sound when I was using analog input to the Maverick one.

[evan1]

One other issue, I connected the CD player to the Maverick one via optical cable, and every time a song change there was a distinct clicking sound within the Maverick one. It's almost as though the power system was opening and closing and opening a relay of some sort. Although not an especially bad sound, it was a distinct sound, and I can hear it while I was sitting up to 10 feet away. I don't remember if I heard the same sound when I was using analog input to the Maverick one.

See my post to the link from av123 you Amish ASS

[etcarroll]

See my post to the link from av123 you Amish ASS

You great big donkey, could you retype that in a language other than 'Brooklynese'.

Do you mean see your thread in AV123, or to use your thread in AV123 to bounce back to AC to see your comments. The second option makes no goddamn sense, and the first is assinine.

But then, what to expect from a guy who spends his free time looking for reasons to post jpg's of Ruby Mae in the surf. I thought my marriage was down the drain.

And why doesn't AC allow you to run a keyword search from w/i a topic thread?

Stupid.

Ah well, stuck in ATL, time to go out and find a decent Margarita or twelve.

[evan1]

You great big donkey, could you retype that in a language other than 'Brooklynese'.

Do you mean see your thread in AV123, or to use your thread in AV123 to bounce back to AC to see your comments. The second option makes no goddamn sense, and the first is assinine.

But then, what to expect from a guy who spends his free time looking for reasons to post jpg's of Ruby Mae in the surf. I thought my marriage was down the drain.

And why doesn't AC allow you to run a keyword search from w/i a topic thread?

Stupid.

Ah well, stuck in ATL, time to go out and find a decent Margarita or twelve.

Must be your Bastan accent and actually only lived in Brooklyn for 5 years and Staten Island for 8. and the 32years before that was Long Island. And see my post with the link TO av123

[etcarroll]

Brooklyn, Staten Island, LI, meh - all you Nooyawka's are doomed as you'll never live in that slice of heaven to your north, I'm speaking of God's country - Bawstin.

Mawtha a'Gawd! but I miss it.

[eclein]

The Mav is in the house!! I really didn't want this piece of equipment to make such a difference in my music, but no such luck!! Using the optical input and pre-outs all my music became more dimensional. An upright bass when played has a certain string sound I heard. A gong note felt like/sounded like a cloth mallet strike. Cymbals rang true to the metallic sound they produce. More depth all around and definitely more width in the sound.
 Its kinda like those times when that slice of pizza and a cold drink hit the spot and you sigh "now that was good!!"-but its every song, every type of music I play, background vocals are clearer, drum sounds are more lifelike. If this is what a $200 DAC sounds like I'd love to hear one thats 5X more expensive, I can't even begin to imagine what else would unfold in my music with a better unit.
 Tomorrow I'll check out, coax and USB inputs but as it stands right now totally stock I'm totally sold, my rent rebate check is now officially spent in advance!!!

[wilbert-vanbakel]

I'm totally sold

Wait... Is Maverick compensating you? 

[eclein]

I wish, then I could afford one.

[eclein]

OK..so after listening all day I'm finding the optical input and the coax input to be virtually identical in sound from the pre-outs. Very easy to listen to music, nice low end, detailed and rounded tones. Acoustic instruments sound very good, nice depth.
 The USB input was not very good at all in my case, drivers installed OK but never could get decent sound going from my laptops USB port into the Mav then out to bi-amplified nearfield monitors, others may find differently but for me its a big zero!
 The 1/4" line in input was surprisingly good, I connected my ipod touch via its headphone output to the 1/4" line in and enjoyed the sound of my MP3's. The sound was not digital sterile anymore but much warmer, easy to listen to.
For me the ideal setup was optical output of SB Duet into the Mav then pre-outs into my receivers analog inputs, everything sounded fuller with more dynamic range this way. I also listened to the coax output from my blu-ray player as a transport through the Mav and found that setup good as well. As I stated earlier in the thread I'll probably jump on this unit when the funds are there..it makes sense for my setup and the money would absolutely be well spent. I will enjoy it over the weeekend and ship it on.

[etcarroll]

Ed -

Are you using the tubed analog out, or the other analog out?

[eclein]

Tubed

[eclein]

My friend Bill (pumkinman) hooked me up with the keys to unlock this baby, swapped tubes and now I see why this unit is so special, its a whole lot better with a different tube. Not sure which one it is, can't read the number, but it sounds very smooth, great detail and nice quality low end. WOW!!!
Man oh man, I'm hooked now more than ever!! Just thought I'd share that!! 
 I really don't see how one could do better for $200!!

[etcarroll]

That's our Bill. 

[wilbert-vanbakel]

its a whole lot better with a different tube.
 I really don't see how one could do better for $200!!

Different tubes, and still a total cost of $200?

[ltr317]

Different tubes, and still a total cost of $200?

No, but the cost shouldn't be much more, unless it's a Bendix.