Maverick Audio DAC tour

eclein · « **Reply #420 on:** 29 Apr 2010, 11:17 pm »

Tubes(1 actually) are not that much as I'm finding out...a gentleman on AC here has a selection and the price averages around $10-$12 per.
Cheap and Cheerful I'd say. If I quit smoking I'll save enough cash to grab one of these babies and have a tube rolling addiction goin!!
Ain't life grand!!

ltr317 is the gentlman to talk to.

shadowlight · « **Reply #421 on:** 29 Apr 2010, 11:21 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 29 Apr 2010, 10:29 pm

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!!

Ed, if the tube that you are using is one of tubes in the box either it is cbs or a ge.

eclein · « **Reply #422 on:** 29 Apr 2010, 11:25 pm »

OK..got it..its the cbs one...thanks Deepak.

etcarroll · « **Reply #423 on:** 29 Apr 2010, 11:28 pm »

Deepak -
What were the tubes packed with the Mav 1? Ed asked me, but I don't have your PM with the info anymore.

Quote from: shadowlight on 2 Apr 2010, 06:33 pm

Meeting up with Ken on Monday and I will ship it out right away hopefully you will get it by Wednesday or Thursday. After you Ed (eclein) would like to take it for a test drive.

shadowlight · « **Reply #424 on:** 29 Apr 2010, 11:31 pm »

Quote from: etcarroll on 29 Apr 2010, 11:28 pm

Deepak -
What were the tubes packed with the Mav 1? Ed asked me, but I don't have your PM with the info anymore.

Gene,

One tube was CBS Black Plate D Getter, while the other was GE 3xMICA Red Label

etcarroll · « **Reply #425 on:** 29 Apr 2010, 11:48 pm »

Thanks, but it seems you had answered the question not 3 minutes prior to my asking it, doh

Ed - if you get the Mav 1 let me know and I'll make you a deal on a Raytheon tube, I don't think I'll be going this route. Nothing wrong with the Mav 1, but I feel myself being called towards a true tubed pre.

ancient hippy · « **Reply #426 on:** 14 May 2010, 03:50 pm »

im considering using this dac as a preamp for my bryston 4b. is it a good match or am i better off getting a used preamp. recently passed on a bryston 1 for 150 on ebay

Mariusz · « **Reply #427 on:** 14 May 2010, 04:30 pm »

Preamp only???
If so, there might be other options.
Do not get me wrong, it is not bad, not bad at all. (actually is quite good)
But it would be a shame and waste to NOT use its build in DAC.(nevermind the headphone amp)

Cheers
Mariusz

ancient hippy · « **Reply #428 on:** 14 May 2010, 04:45 pm »

what i meant was i going to use it without a preamp. i was under the impression that i could hook my dvd player and cable box into the dac out put it to my power amp and still make use of the dacs if i chose to. please correct me if im wrong. am i better off sound quality wise spending 250 on a used preamp like a bryston .5 preamp or purchasing this dac

etcarroll · « **Reply #429 on:** 14 May 2010, 06:16 pm »

ancient one -

I bought a used 4B and ran the Mav 1 with it as a pre, it was nice, especially with a better tube than stock.

Still, I wound up grabbing a rebuilt Superphon SP-100 on A-gon as my initial pre, while I sample some of the tubed pre's on tour.

I'm also thinking of a diy tubed buffer.

I had no need of the Mav 1 'dac functionality'.

Mariusz · « **Reply #430 on:** 14 May 2010, 07:58 pm »

Quote from: ancient hippy on 14 May 2010, 04:45 pm

what i meant was i going to use it without a preamp. i was under the impression that i could hook my dvd player and cable box into the dac out put it to my power amp and still make use of the dacs if i chose to. please correct me if im wrong. am i better off sound quality wise spending 250 on a used preamp like a bryston .5 preamp or purchasing this dac

Correct
you can connect your DVD player/cable box via digital inputs (optical or coax) and feed your amp(s) directly. Maverick features volume control and analog/digital input switching so yes, it can be used as full featured preamp (- remote control).
For the money, it is though to beat.
You may benefit soundwise/preferencewise by adding tube pre/DAC to your SS setup.

Warning - tubes are very addictive.

Mariusz

ancient hippy · « **Reply #431 on:** 15 May 2010, 05:02 pm »

etcarroll actually it was a post i read probably yours that made me consider the mav dac as a substitute for a preamp. what was the cost on the upgraded tube.i seem to recall that you didnt use the tube upgrade offered by mav. what is your opinion on the tube they are offering as an upgrade?

etcarroll · « **Reply #432 on:** 15 May 2010, 05:08 pm »

I bought some Raytheons here;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330420185408

they were a noticable step up in sound. I never listened to anything that Maverick has on their web page. I passed the Mav 1 on to eclein who seems to have tried a number of tubes, you might ping him. Also, Evan tried a few tubes, his thoughts appear early in this thread.

ancient hippy · « **Reply #433 on:** 15 May 2010, 05:17 pm »

mariusz i assume you mean that tubes are like wine your tastes become progressively more refined and expensive.

Mariusz · « **Reply #434 on:** 15 May 2010, 05:43 pm »

Quote from: ancient hippy on 15 May 2010, 05:17 pm

mariusz i assume you mean that tubes are like wine your tastes become progressively more refined and expensive.

Something like that.
But, not necessarily more expensive.
Not all vacuum tube based components are created equal but generally speaking, I find sound quality more pleasing and closer to my personal preferences then that of solid state equipment (with few exceptions). Tunability is another factor and reason for most tubeoholics.

Cheers

P.S
if you get Maverick, get few NOS tubes as well.
Stock tube isn't that "great".

ltr317 · « **Reply #435 on:** 15 May 2010, 06:32 pm »

Sorry to sideline the thread, but wanted everyone to know I have other vintage tubes (especially Western Electric) for the Maverick or any other component that uses the 2c51/396a/5670/6n3 tube.

eclein · « **Reply #436 on:** 15 May 2010, 06:57 pm »

Hey guys whats a square getter? Round getter?...is that just a name or is it a type of construction??
Also-tubes for the Mav, and GF are 6n3...thats the size designation?? So any tube thats 6n3 will fit??

ancient hippy-the Mav with the stock tube sounded fine to me--it's like I'd say "average" the other tubes I had to try were better sounding,
fuller(cbs-tube),other one was DOA, but I really only used the Mav. for a few days and I'm very inexperienced. Mariusz, etcarroll and ltr317
have a better perspective I think. Thanks guys

evan1 · « **Reply #437 on:** 15 May 2010, 09:26 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 15 May 2010, 06:57 pm

Hey guys whats a square getter? Round getter?...is that just a name or is it a type of construction??
Also-tubes for the Mav, and GF are 6n3...thats the size designation?? So any tube thats 6n3 will fit??

ancient hippy-the Mav with the stock tube sounded fine to me--it's like I'd say "average" the other tubes I had to try were better sounding,
fuller(cbs-tube),other one was DOA, but I really only used the Mav. for a few days and I'm very inexperienced. Mariusz, etcarroll and ltr317
have a better perspective I think. Thanks guys

Should I answer this one

Mariusz · « **Reply #438 on:** 15 May 2010, 09:30 pm »

Quote from: evan1 on 15 May 2010, 09:26 pm

Should I answer this one

Please do....
I do not know s...t about tube construction or it's variations.

And do not want to sound stupid .... Oooops
TOO LATE!!!!!

evan1 · « **Reply #439 on:** 15 May 2010, 09:53 pm »

Quote from: Mariusz on 15 May 2010, 09:30 pm

Please do....
I do not know s...t about tube construction or it's variations.
And do not want to sound stupid .... Oooops
TOO LATE!!!!!

me either, but he liked my tube rolling answer