Home built tubed DAC (none oversampling)!

[astrostar59]

Hi guys

Being a tube lover, and also wanting the best sound I can get for the money, I have just finished building a tubed None Oversampling DAC. The kit is supplied by Audio Note Kits (Canada). Check it out!

 

I completed the build a few days back, and have it on soak in my Studio for the next few weeks.

 

The sound from switch on is great. The first thing I did was turn up the volume to max, and listen for hum

or buzz. Nothing, dead quite, and no hiss either. Great.

 

I have V-Cap Teflons on the output board, so I do expect the sound to be all over the shop for 3 weeks or so.

The Mundorf caps on the Power board will need the same, though won't affect the SQ as much.

 

Right now it sounds really clean, very dynamic and great bass WOW, a lot stonger than my previous Meridian DAC.

And the detail is already better, possibly partly due to the NOS and no Brick Wall filter.

 

The 6X5 tube on the Power board was swopped out for a Bendix which draws more current but gives a more

dynamic presentation. I'll report back in a few weeks once the V-Caps (and the rest of the parts) are run in.

 

A thought, it would be possible with a minor tweak to add a volume pot, thus negate the need for a Pre Amp i.e. straight

into my Stax SRM-717 amp, and the same into my Power Amps. I will look into that.

 

BUT VERY HAPPY BUNNY - GREAT DAC! IT ROCKS....

 

I would strongly recommend looking at these kits. Brian the owner of Audio Note kits in Canada is like me, a 300B SE fan and hifi fanatic. What you get once you have put it together is a leading edge audiophile product for the money. Forget any kits from cottage suppliers or China stuff. This gear is the real deal. I see it as a good investment as well. I mean, how ,many manufacturers really offer upgrade paths or options? And I aren't an engineer, a web designer with no electronic background. BUT I can further tweak and upgrade this DAC if I wanted to. Though, it is that good, I may be better looking at my source tweaks first (Mac Mini and M2Tech EVO).

[wkhanna]

Wow!

V nice.

[Paul R]

Sweeeet! Nice build.

-Paul

[wgscott]

Excellent. That is so cool you are allowed to do that in the house.

[Jsmith]

Very nice.

[TarnishedEars]

Very nice!

 

What's the function of those transformers? Are they performing the current to voltage conversion off of the DAC chip or something?

[Lizard_King]

I own a ANK dac 2.1 Level B Signature Dac that is so much better that the normal level 2. I have a much better power supply and use a 12AU7 output stage.

[astrostar59]

I own a ANK dac 2.1 Level B Signature Dac that is so much better that the normal level 2. I have a much better power supply and use a 12AU7 output stage.

 

Hi Lizard King, and hello to another Audio Note user! I have Audio Note M3 pre (UK Factory) and Conquest 300B Mono Blocks.

I also run a set of STax Omega 2s.

 

I noticed you are using the M2Tech EVO. I am too, well will be when I finish setting up my Mac Mini. I pondered over an Off-Ramp but thought it was too much money. I think the EVO will beat my CEC CDP. Anyway, even if it is the same I will be happy as I did the convenience of AIFFs.

 

I bought the DAC 3.1 SE kit as I love AN Gear but just can't afford the Factory DACs. I think the Kits are great, and probably close to the SQ of the UK line. Plus it allows tweaks and stuff. I am, pondering fitting a volume control to the front face, and a bridged pair of RCA outs. Then I can sell my M3 pre amp and go direct to the power amps. I can direct to the Stax now, as it has a switchable volume pot. I tried going direct with my older 1.1 DAC but the output impedance was very high, and the sound was thin and lost dynamics. I think the 2x 5687s and the output trans on the 3.1 are the same as the L2 and L3 pre amps Brian sells, so it should work?

 

Cool, spread the word Lizard King. Audio Note Kits, and even Audio Note UK with 20 staff are a small company and they need enthusiasts to keep it going. Well, apart from the DAC 5 special and the M10! They get bought by the err better off shall we say...