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Considering TubeDAC-09

B

Buddyboy

New Member
Hello everyone,

I am seriously considering the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-09 as my DAC/headphone amp and I have just a few questions. My current setup is as follows... Foobar2000 -> Optical -> Pioneer VSX-D309 -> ATH M50s/B&W 685s. I was wondering how much of a sound difference/improvement will I see from using the TubeDAC-09 in my system instead of the DAC in my receiver? (Foobar2000 -> Optical -> TubeDAC-09 -> Pioneer VSX-D309 -> ATH M50s/B&W 685s

Regarding the Headphone out jack, does it only provide Tube-out or SS? or can you switch somehow? Is the headphone amp section decent and capable of driving 250-600 ohm cans? The reason I ask this is because I am also considering selling my M50s and grabbing a nicer set of cans that could sound nice with a tube amp or SS.

The other DAC in consideration is the Audio GD NFB-12. If anyone has any input, advice towards or away from one another that would be appreciated as well. Though right now I am definitely leaning towards the TubeDAC-09 for its versatility, looks, and reviews.

One last thing, sorry. How would my B&W 685s sound if I ran the tube out to the amplifier in my pioneer receiver....then to the speakers?

Edit: Will the black version ever be available? it is so sexy!

Thanks for any and all help. I am a bit new to all this, but I am truly getting quite into the world of hi-fi audio. Fun stuff!
 
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Just do it

Hey Buddyboy,

I can't help with your headphone questions as I only use my 09 as a DAC. As such I've been very happy with it. Excellent, affordable way to try some tube magic, and the "Normal" output is good as well. Possibilities are many with this little jewel. All those input options, and it can be used as a buffer as well. I've configured my Klipsch Quartet speakers for passive bi-amping using the tube out for the mid/high drivers and the Normal out to the woofers. Took my system to another level.
No one can tell you how an 09 will sound with your components in your listening area, but I'd bet Grant Fidelity's profits for last month that an 09 in place of your receiver's onboard DAC will have you wondering why you waited so long to get one.
Pull the trigger, Buddyboy!
 
Hey, I'm not sure I have all the info your asking about either but the Tube DAC's headphone output is Solid State, about driving different cans, I use Grado's and its fine, I use Ultrasone's and its fine, I would think it has enough power to drive about anything.
The first time I heard the tube dac was using it between a Squeezebox DUET and my AV receiver.....huge improvement, the Tube DAC-09 has so many options its become a permanent fixture in my system where I use it as a DAC, a pre-amp, a tube buffer, a pre-amp for my subwoofer and it does all those at the same time and is silent. Best money I've spent in this hobby, I can tell you the best tubes to find as I've tried a bunch---GE RED 5 Star---if you see some buy a few at around $30 a pair I found the best all around tube for my tastes. Grant has excellent customer service and a phone# and someone answers and then they HELP YOU...its a novel idea and one that Grant Fidelity does superbly. I've been thrown around pretty good healthwise the past few years and Ian and company have helped me anyway they could by answering any question about setups I had, they've given me tremendous pricing on all the stuff they offer and become a valuable source of information for me...don't think about it, just do it.
 
I will second everything eclein has stated. The Tube Dac has become a staple in my reference system. Its a real solution to configuration problems and source selection. BTW the ge red 5 stars have become a bit hard to find. but there are alot of options. you will not regret your purchase and the hardest decision should be Black or Silver.
 
Ian will reply as soon as he see's this, I'm sure, so he can advise on the Black version.
I've had mine about 6 weeks. Unfortunately for most of that my main tube amp was 'away' (that's another long story) so I don't have too much time with it in it's ideal setup. However, I did use it as tube buffer from a tuner and CDP connected to an ancient Kenwood KR-2400 receiver (AUX IN). It made that old beast sound much better, though not as sweet as my 6.5W SEP tube amp.

It's a very versatile unit. If you must have black it'll be worth the wait. Arrived in about a week from China.

eclien knows what amp I have... just got a replacement today after waiting a month+.
 
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Wow, thanks for all the input everyone! I guess the only thing that is really stopping me from getting the tubedac at this point is the fact the only the silver version is available currently.

I will be sure to make a couple posts when and if I get it.

also, where is a good place to grab some tubes?
 
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Mazeppa said:
Hey Buddyboy,

I can't help with your headphone questions as I only use my 09 as a DAC. As such I've been very happy with it. Excellent, affordable way to try some tube magic, and the "Normal" output is good as well. Possibilities are many with this little jewel. All those input options, and it can be used as a buffer as well. I've configured my Klipsch Quartet speakers for passive bi-amping using the tube out for the mid/high drivers and the Normal out to the woofers. Took my system to another level.
No one can tell you how an 09 will sound with your components in your listening area, but I'd bet Grant Fidelity's profits for last month that an 09 in place of your receiver's onboard DAC will have you wondering why you waited so long to get one.
Pull the trigger, Buddyboy!
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info!

Could you explain how you have the tube going to your highs and the SS going to your woofers? did you use cable splitters?

Thanks again.
 
The DAC-09 has 2 sets of outputs, SS and tubed. His speakers have 2 sets of inputs, one for woofer and the other for mid/highs.
 
Eclein, You said that I should consider the GE Red 5 Star tube. Is this what you meant Link? I can't post the link directly to the tube for some reason but if you go...

Vacuum Tube Stock ->
All Tubes ->
1602-5998 ->
then scroll about 1/3 of the way down to 5670=2C51W=396A, and click CLICK HERE ->
scroll half way down to where it says " 5670 GE "5 Star" NOS white printing in GE boxes 1960's".

Is this the tube you are describing? Sorry for all the confusing steps.
 
the 5 stars are very good. I like the GE JAN 5670W and tend to be available on that auction site way cheaper then the ones you linked to. I owned 1 GE red star and had to replace it a few weeks ago cause it went bad. I do wish I had bought more than just one. Now when they do pop up they are really expensive and in my opinion not worth the current price. While better then the Jan GE 5670w, It wasn't "that" much better to justify the cost. I would actually advise against swapping the tube right away and getting acquainted with the sound of the stock tube to compare it to. The RCA Black Plates also sound good FWIW and again are half the cost of the 5 stars. Just my 2 cents.
 
Sound Dragon said:
the 5 stars are very good. I like the GE JAN 5670W and tend to be available on that auction site way cheaper then the ones you linked to. I owned 1 GE red star and had to replace it a few weeks ago cause it went bad. I do wish I had bought more than just one. Now when they do pop up they are really expensive and in my opinion not worth the current price. While better then the Jan GE 5670w, It wasn't "that" much better to justify the cost. I would actually advise against swapping the tube right away and getting acquainted with the sound of the stock tube to compare it to. The RCA Black Plates also sound good FWIW and again are half the cost of the 5 stars. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Okay thanks. I plan on running the stock tube for a while, but I figure while I am at it, I might as well grab a tube to roll in as well. I am going to grab this one from the bay, GE JAN 5670W Tube. Thanks again!
 
I ordered a black one three weeks ago and had it in five business days from China. As many have said, best bang for the buck I've yet experienced in audio equipment. EXCELLENT! And I haven't even tried the tube circuit yet.
 
tomlinmgt said:
I ordered a black one three weeks ago and had it in five business days from China. As many have said, best bang for the buck I've yet experienced in audio equipment. EXCELLENT! And I haven't even tried the tube circuit yet.
Click to expand...

Could you give me a link to the tube you are describing? Thanks.
 
Buddyboy said:
So do mine. But wouldn't you need 2 separate amplifiers to accomplish this?
Click to expand...

That is correct, 2 seperate amplifiers are required for the setup I described.
You'll find a lot posters saying that passive (utilizing the speaker's onboard crossovers) offer no, or little benefit. I beg to differ for several reasons. Availability of 2 different types of sources from a single component as the DAC 09 offers is a big one.
 
Does this unit function as a passive line driver while functioning as a DAC at the same time, or is it just a line driver when used as a buffer via RCA in RCA out?
 
Buddyboy....sorry been all over...YES thats it, 5 star printed in RED ink on the tube is what I was suggesting but they are hard to find, so if you see one or a pair...buy them as I'm pretty sure somebody here will take the extra......
 
StevenZ said:
Does this unit function as a passive line driver while functioning as a DAC at the same time, or is it just a line driver when used as a buffer via RCA in RCA out?
Click to expand...

Using the digital inputs enables the DAC. Using the analog inputs bypasses the DAC. You then have the choice of tube processing or SS processing for the output.

Multiple ways to use. I'm still experimenting :yes:
 
Interesting, so this unit doesn't actually attenuate the line voltage, it's just a volume control for the already exhisting signal? Kind of like adding a potentiometer to an amp, it's passive therefore it cannot increase the line signal more than what the source outputs, meaning if you have a weak signal from the source, you're stuck with it's limitations for volume. Right?
 
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