Can DAC go bad?

[pauldrewry]

There's a Van Alstine tube DAC on Facebook marketplace, being sold as is/parts/untested. Esther he doesn't know how they work or something is wrong with it. But what could fail on it? Power supply?

 

[swechsler]

Theoretically any electrical component can fail. I'd think the tube(s) would be the most likely.

However, since it's a local sale, it shouldn't be too difficult to test in person: bring a laptop (or phone) with a digital output to connect to the DAC's input, a headphone amp to connect to its output, plus a set of headphones.

 

[pauldrewry]

Theoretically any electrical component can fail. I'd think the tube(s) would be the most likely.

However, since it's a local sale, it shouldn't be too difficult to test in person: bring a laptop (or phone) with a digital output to connect to the DAC's input, a headphone amp to connect to its output, plus a set of headphones.

Actually, it's being offered with shipping, so no testing available to far away.

 

[swechsler]

I'd pass, then, unless it's a once-in-a-lifetime deal. This isn't like repairing an old amp, it's probably going to have SMT components and isn't designed to be serviced.

 

[pauldrewry]

It was up all week but now gone. Win some lose some.