[goldlizsts]

Any update about Minimax Dac from NY Audio Syndrome meeting

The audition at the Syndrome meeting was brief but productive.  About an hour dedicated to it (2 hours warmup first after coming in from the cold, tho much of the time it was actually in the back seat of Rollo's car when we headed out; it was sub-freezing outside).  So I might as well chime in.  I am just going to be brief, since much of the extolling has been done, and I'm not adding more discoveries I suppose.  If someone else should want to add more, the better.

General consensus - very transparent, fast, and very big soundstage.

Then, I've had it under audition in my listening environment for the past few days.  With the stock EE DAC, thanks to the virtue of the Sabre chip, the soundstage and detailing ability of the Sabre chip was already appreciated out of the box.  With this souped up Bolder Cable version, it's even more impressive.  The audition unit has a Psvane in it, so the soundstage was further enhanced because of its somehow wonderful capacity in this department.  Because the tonality of the Psvane is, as others have said, just right, not too dense, not too lean, the imaging, along with the soundstaging, was exemplary. 

The one thing I would like to add perhaps is, if nobody had mentioned (the thread has become so loooong, don't mind my senility!), the modded EE DAC has more energy.  Perhaps that's due to the better parts added, and Wayne's upgrade in some departments.  The modded DAC I think has a higher output (didn't Wayne say that?).  With the stock EE, I'd have to crank the volume up say a couple of notches to match the sound level of the BC unit.

My unit has a CV4003 in it, so the one thing I'd like to add is that my unit seemed to be a bit denser in the middle.  I am a 6SN7 person, so this quality I don't mind having at all.  The Bolder unit is more open comparatively of course.  So, I wouldn't mind owning the Bolder unit, with the mods, of course.  But... I first have work to do, $800 or not?

Darn, Wayne, I can only keep it for a week right?  So, I am holding on to it, then I'll turn it over to Mr. Rollo by week's end.  That's the arrangement? 

Oh, almost forgot.  I used the power cable that came with the package much of the time.  I also discovered, again, the heavy influence a P/C has on the sound coming out of the boxes.  I switched my P/Cs around the various units I have (surrounding the Bolder/EE DAC), Cardas, DIY no-name, Harmonic Technology, Audience, in different combinations and alignments, before and after my 2 Ultimate Outlet (HC) boxes.  The results were surprising.  There was so much variation in the ultimate sound that I was very shocked.  One big reason why we sometimes blow so much $$ on this so-called audiophile game, searching for the Holy Grail.

I am no expert in this hi-fi game.  Those are the words on my take of the Bolder modified EE DAC, IMHO, so to speak.

[Levi]

I am not surprised the modded EE Dac sounds better than the stock. 

I never heard a bad review so far.  Good job Wayne! 

[Wayne1]

Thank you for the comments, goldlizsts.

The touring DAC does have a larger voltage output than the stock. I did leave the volume control in circuit in the demo unit so it could be used to match levels.

During the mod process of Bill@LakeGeorge's unit, I ended up changing some resistor values so the modded output is closer to the stock unit. The unit that Gopher is receiving this week should reflect that change.

The touring DAC doesn't have to go on to the next person. All it will take is sending me $1500.00 and it can stay with you.  You could also send me $800.00 and your DAC and a couple of weeks later, you should have your own version.

The DAC will be going on to Rollo, next. Then I believe Occam will get a chance to listen to it. I may want it sent back to me so I can change the few resistors before I send it on on the next leg.

[goldlizsts]

Thank you for the comments, goldlizsts.

The touring DAC does have a larger voltage output than the stock. I did leave the volume control in circuit in the demo unit so it could be used to match levels.

During the mod process of Bill@LakeGeorge's unit, I ended up changing some resistor values so the modded output is closer to the stock unit. The unit that Gopher is receiving this week should reflect that change.

The touring DAC doesn't have to go on to the next person. All it will take is sending me $1500.00 and it can stay with you.  You could also send me $800.00 and your DAC and a couple of weeks later, you should have your own version.

The DAC will be going on to Rollo, next. Then I believe Occam will get a chance to listen to it. I may want it sent back to me so I can change the few resistors before I send it on on the next leg.

Thanks Wayne.  At the moment, I am working out the transfer to Rollo.  We're just a little more than a stone throw's distance away from each other.  That will likely be this weekend.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

I am trying to locate the fuse to reverse the direction.  Where is it?

[ted_b]

In the door below the IEC inlet.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

   Thanks Ted

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

I would have never believed it.  I put the Pavane back in for a day and it was hardly able to listen to it.  Way to much bloat in the mid range. 

I reversed the fuse and can not believe the difference, a nice even spectrum with great clarity.  The soundstage appears wide but appears to lack depth.

I will listen like this fro a few days and then swap the Mullard back in

[Levi]

I am writing this in my iPhone.

Shek stopped by with Wayne's EE Dac today. Needless to say, I truly like the modified Dac compared to the stock EE Dac.  I tried to avoid auditioning Wayne's Dac simply because I might ended up liking it.  Thanks Shek for ruining me.  I want one just like it but cannot afford it with my student budget.

The modified EE Dac simply has more passion.  Music has more life and dynamics.  The soundstage is bigger and has more ambience.  Listening to the USB with an iMac was also improved. 

Overall, Wayne has transformed the EE Dac into a giant killer with an option to alter the sound by tube rolling.  Good job Wayne!  This should be what the Dac should sound to begin with even with a slight price increase.  Is Alex listening? 

I hate and love you Shek for bringing the Dac.

[Berto]

I look forward to hearing this dac. Anyone compare it to a Modwright transporter. If they would like to be impartial please send me a private message.

I'm guessing Wayne might be able to add some bybee music rails to it to improve it even more

[Gopher]

I would have never believed it.  I put the Pavane back in for a day and it was hardly able to listen to it.  Way to much bloat in the mid range. 

I reversed the fuse and can not believe the difference, a nice even spectrum with great clarity.  The soundstage appears wide but appears to lack depth.

I will listen like this fro a few days and then swap the Mullard back in

ruh roh!  Just as I get me  Mullard too.  heh.

My dac should be in tomorrow.  Fedex delivery exception for weather delay today.  Can't wait to hear it with my gear.  It differs in a number of ways from the tour dac

[ajayrav]

Shipped mine out to Wayne to be modded, based on all the rave reviews.  Can't wait to get it back

Ajay

[Levi]

Luckily, I have an Esoteric universal player.  So I can hold off in the upgrade.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

ruh roh!  Just as I get me  Mullard too.  heh.

My dac should be in tomorrow.  Fedex delivery exception for weather delay today.  Can't wait to hear it with my gear.  It differs in a number of ways from the tour dac

Don't worry the Mullard is going back in tomorrow, after 3 more hours with the Pavane it leaves me empty.

[Gopher]

I guess I shouldn't be rooting for one tube against the other when I own them all anyway.   

My big shoot out will be the Pavane, Simens Silverpate and the Mullard you love.  I'll likely only keep the winner as I'm planning on keeping my system very stable for a while after a new preamp was brought into the mix and made everything very right.

[Downsize]

Don't worry the Mullard is going back in tomorrow, after 3 more hours with the Pavane it leaves me empty.

Hey Bill ... Would you be kind enough to provide a link where I can purchase that Mullard you like so much ?

Thanks

[goldlizsts]

I am writing this in my iPhone.

Shek stopped by with Wayne's EE Dac today. Needless to say, I truly like the modified Dac compared to the stock EE Dac......................

Levi, the only reason I brought it over was to let you have a good time in the dark dreary winter in NYC.  I knew you are now going to start saving up for that upgrade  ; so I risked it, trudging through the blackened water snow also.  Never meant to just let the EE DAC convince you to upgrade.....  Anyhow, it did end up that the DAC did all the talking.  A great time was enjoyed by us.  Thanks Wayne!   AND Bill too of course, for his generosity, not voiding  Wayne's warranty for tampering with it. 

Now Charles, snow is coming down heavy again.  I have all the reasons to hold off turning it over to you now.  However, for a handsome ransom, I would reluctantly let it go to the next stop!  Just make an offer!

[Levi]

Hey Shek: It was a busy afternoon, tube rolling, swapping pc, swapping ic, listening to ss vs tube, ss vs ss, USB vs Tube, USB vs bnc... Yes that was fun!

[Gopher]

Now Charles, snow is coming down heavy again. 

This snow needs to chill!  My DAC was supposed to be here today but got delayed for weather.  Now tomorrows supposed to be even worse...   boo!

[musicear]

I think the stock tube sounds much better than Pavane.