[3moons]

I'll cut to the chase for those who hate long reviews, opinions and posts. I've not been so excited, so... *UP* on an audio product since I rebuilt my first tube amps over 15 years ago, salvaged Dynaco MK III's with good Genelex KT88's on board. This little black box has transformed my CD collection of hundreds and hundreds of discs. Of all those, I had, at most, a selection of 20 or 30 favorites. Of these, one or two that might find their way to the transport's tray on any given day. After the DAC had burned in for a few days, things got really nice. I would say that my desire to listen to only 10 or 20% of my CD collection has gone to an estimated 80 or 90%. I began going through CD's to simply test the sound of this DAC against my other two DAC's and upsamplers, a CAL Sigma II 24/96, Assemblage D2D upsampler and an MSB III with upsampler. It wasn't long before I decided to sell all my other redbook gear. So out went the CAL Sigma II with 24/96 chip and Assemblage D2D-1 processor/upsampler. The MSB III may stay to translate DVD video and audio. The CD tests bogged down as I found myself sitting and listening to whole CD's through the scott-nixon. In comparison, the CAL Sigma II had a pleasant but forward sound that was, for the most part, bland, inoffensive. Even more so when upsampled through the Assemblage. Not irritating, just no that musically involving. The MSB III gave more of the same with or without the upsampler engaged, except it wasn't as forward in it's presentation as the CAL. I have grown used to these DAC's and consciously had accepted that this was as good as redbook CD was going to get (at least on my budget) but unconsciously I was still hungry. So for Christmas I bought myself the scott-nixon DAC. With the scott-nixon DAC in place, things turned upside down for sure. All of a sudden there was much more life to the music. Toe tappin', *I didn't know this CD was this good*, musically involving sparkle and excitement. The music didn't just play in front of or between the speakers any more but I was presented with a larger, more lively, more open sound with a real sense of depth. This DAC couldn't save really bad recordings any more than a super phono setup can save poorly recorded records. But, it has proven to me that much more of my CD collection is worth listening to than I had ever imagined. Certain music with piano or flute, two instruments hard to get right in my head through digital, finally came through fine or at least much more acceptable. I will stop here with the *reviewer speak* type lingo and tell you what happened last night. I had spent most of yesterday listening and enjoying CD's. My wife came home after working a long shift and crashed on the couch. Julia Fordham's CD, Porcelain, was playing. My wife sat there and listened a while and finally commented, "She sure has a beautiful voice. Who is she?". I just snickered to myself. I've owned and played this CD for over 10 years and my wife had never "heard" it before. Heard it done right that is, the way this new DAC translates it. The scott-nixon DAC version I chose was his most expensive tube DAC. $475. There are versions from blank boards to no tube output to the version I bought. There are only two brands of DAC using this concept that I am aware of below $1200 or so. This scott-nixon and the Ack!dAck. Which I also bought and it arrived last night. No opinions on it for a month or two. Besides these two brands, whose costs float around $500 or even less with Nixon's options, I know of no other competition except for DIY projects. I do know that Audio Note, 47 labs and a few others offer the same basic concept for $1200 to $50,000. But I'm thinking there are some serious diminishing returns here! Even if there are improvements at all!. I was very skeptical when I first started reading about the 0 oversampling concept. It just seemed the biggest draw was, they were easy to build for the more DIY adept. But finally, I took the plunge and am glad I did. Redbook CD's may be all I'll ever need or want. Especially when you think what it costs to get into SACD, THEN try and make it sound *just right*. Another uphill, money sucking climb, IMO. The system used to test the DAC's is on the Asylum in *Inmate Systems* under 3moons, The Lounge. Thanks for reading. 8:-) jim...

[MaxCast]

Nice write up, jim.  I have the tubedac with PS and really like it.  It will be interesting to read how it compares to the dAk in your system.

edit:
Have you tried different tubes?  I would also like to hear what you have experienced with different tubes.

[byteme]

Sounds very familiar!  those are some of the same experiences I had when I got my Tubedac.  It's really a wonderful piece and I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a long time!

Great write-up!

Brian.

[lonewolfny42]

Sounds very familiar!  those are some of the same experiences I had when I got my Tubedac.  It's really a wonderful piece and I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a long time!

Great write-up!

Brian.

Brian, You did some tube rolling in that DAC....correct ? Thanks!

[byteme]

Sounds very familiar!  those are some of the same experiences I had when I got my Tubedac.  It's really a wonderful piece and I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a long time!

Great write-up!

Brian.

Brian, You did some tube rolling in that DAC....correct ? Thanks!

Yup, I'm currently using a Siemens E88CC gold pin.  According to Scott, since the tube is merely used as a buffered output tube rolling shouldn't make much difference.  I concur.  I think things were better, albiet slightly, but better in definition and musicality.  Tough to say if it's worth the money though cause those suckers are expensive.  I'd do the power supply and then power cord before the tube for sure.

[lonewolfny42]

Brian, A word about the power supply , if you could. Thanks !!

[byteme]

Brian, A word about the power supply , if you could. Thanks !!

The power supply is the $115 one offered by Scott on his site.  Looks pretty much just like the DACKIT.  It gives you the opportunity to use an aftermarket power cord and also provides a beefier power supply.  I'd say the differences I noted were, more quietness - things really got silent between notes, songs, etc. when they should be silent.  Also, the music seemed to have more weight to it.  More presence, more reality.  I'm using a Zu Birth power cable with it, plugged into it's own OneAC 1102 iso transformer with cryo'd outlet.  It's the only thing plugged into that.  The rest of the digital is also on that main line but all runs through a separate 10amp Powervar isolator.  The analog stuff (preamp only) is on a separate power line and yet another OneAC 1102.

[lonewolfny42]

Thanks  Brian  !!  I think I'd give this DAC a try. I have the SN Mono amps, they work well, good quality. Your info was most helpful !!

[azryan]

Thanks for the review.

Not trying to be a jerk, but seriously... try hitting the 'Enter' button here and there next time ok? (and anyone writing a review).

A massive block of words is just not easy to read.

[Rob Babcock]

I'm glad you beat me to it, Azryan!   Paragraphs rule!

Nice review, though, content wise.  Glad to see the unit it working out for you, 3moons.

[Hantra]

I agree about the power supply.  I also believe this DAC is very sensitive to the power cord used, and any conditioning used before it.

[3moons]

Well, That's what happens when my lawyer doesn't proofread one of my reviews.   Thanks. jim...

[mcrespo71]

I'm glad you like the unit.  Be sure to break in both dacs, as the sound should improve with some hours on them.

The Beach Boys- Endless Summer- LP