Tube DAC (Aune T1, Maverick, TubeDAC-11, etc) owners thread

[arcorob]

Its time to roll with the changes and as many of us have wet the toes into the world of DAC's, I thought it would be good to start an OWNERS thread. Much like the VPI Owners thread, etc. etc.

So tell us about your tube DAC, what tubes have you tried, the results, do you listen through speakers, headphones, both, music sources?

For me
AUNE T1 24/96 6922 Tube DAC - $160
I run it into my main system and listen exclusively through speakers. It comes stock with an EH6922 (Electro Harmonix)

The versatility of this DAC lets you use/try about 20 different tube types from a ton of brands.

I have tried the following:
6922,6DJ8,6AQ8,6GM8,7DJ8,7308, 6H30Pi

The sound is phenomenal and really opened up the sound of the streaming music I listen to. I have also ripped some vinyl tracks to lossless wav that also sound incredible.

So? what tube DAC are you rocking tonight ?

 

[ssolomon]

Great idea for a thread.

I use an Aune T1 as well. I'm still using the electro harmonix 6922 that came with it. I almost exclusively use it to play music through my speakers. Maybe if I get a better set of headphones one day (I've had some Bose tri-ports for nearly 10 years), I'll listen to the headphone amp half of the Aune.

I primarily use spotify premium, which I believe is 320k. I also play from iTunes files on my hd - most 256k, and some ALAC files (from ripped cd's).

Is the difference obvious when changing tubes? When people are talking about their gear, or the bit-rates of their files, etc., they sometimes make it sound like there are huge mind-blowing differences. Maybe I'm deaf, but I can't always tell (or it's just very subtle).

One more question for Aune owners. Anyone know how to stream wirelessly to the Aune? It only accepts usb input, and the airport express only does toslink. Other suggestions I've heard, like Sonos, are pretty darn pricy solutions.

 

[zackk]

Interested in the Maverick Audio line of DACS, anyone have any experience with them?

 

[J English]

I am interested too as I hope to get the Maverick for my work setup later this year.

 

[sKiZo]

I have two Maverick's ... the D1 and the D1+ ...

Got the original D1 shortly after they came out and loved the thing. Recently picked up on the D1+ for the improved USB handling. The Plus has a Tenor chipset that's just sweet. I prefer that to the S/PDIF (optical) for overall grins per spins.

The D1 came with the upgrades - GE 5 star 5670W and the OPA627 op amps. Real reasonable price for those and Maverick does burn and test prior to shipping. I got the D1+ with the standard Chinese tube and op amps. It sounded decent with those, but really started to sing after swapping in the premium parts from the D1. Sockets make that easy.

So, why a D1+ and not the D2 that has higher specs? One BIG bonus for me is that the D1+ still has the analog in, so I can plug my turntable into that via an external stage and get some of that sweet tooby goodness from that too. Also a simple twitch of the switch to go between the HTPC digital source and the analog turntable. the D2 does NOT have the analog in.

I've gone thru a few tubes and have pretty much locked in on a Raytheon CK5670WA. That's just exceptional matched to my tube amplifier. As always, different strokes for different folks, but it gives me a tight bottom and good strong vocals without ringing.

Real performer ... :thmbsp:

One tip - you can use the TubeMagic DACs as a mini pre, but ... the D1+ is set up so the volume control only works on headphones. Not to worry - change a couple jumpers and you're good on all the other inputs.

They did that to give you the shortest possible signal path if you have other volume options. In my case, I enabled it so I could have control at several points in the signal path, balancing the levels along the way for the best results. It DOES make a difference.

OK ... two tips ... If you're a roller like me, the cover is a real PITA to get off. Real tight - I ended up dremeling off the bottom wings so it just drops over instead of sliding on.

I don't bother screwing it down - it still locks down tight, but is now real easy to pop off. I also removed the tube retainer for quick swaps.

Here's a gut shot of the D1+ with the standard Chinese tube and op amps. Major redesign of the original board.

And here for comparison is the D1 with a WE2C51 tube and the OPA627 op amps.

PS ... There's both tube and direct outputs on the back panel, so you can go pure digital with a simple cable swap. Don't know why you'd want to, but it's still nice to have the option.

 

[Son-of-Vere]

 

[motorstereo]

I have a grant fidelity tube dac 11 and I prefer the non tube output of the dac. Somehow I think I'm alone on this preference but I think it sounds great. To me it sounds cleaner with no tube distortion, or coloring added to the music.

 

[arcorob]

skizo...great write-up

This is what I was hoping for in this thread. Some really good ongoing DAC dialog, likes, tweeks, etc. Those Mavericks are very versatile.

People THINK I am all about the AUNE T1...not so...it fit my needs but I freely admit, it is limited in the area of inputs.

I too have done some tweaking and will have to get some pictures and post..

FUIN STUFF!!

Motorstereo...very interested to hear about the Grant Fidelity...it seems easy to get to the tube even though its internal and like the AUNE can use a variety of tubes. Have you done any tube rolling ? How do you bypass the tube ? THaNKS

 

[sKiZo]

I have a grant fidelity tube dac 11 and I prefer the non tube output of the dac. Somehow I think I'm alone on this preference but I think it sounds great. To me it sounds cleaner with no tube distortion, or coloring added to the music.

Maybe you just haven't found the right tube ... gotta try harder!

That's what I got for my Mavericks ... maybe I should join TA ... "Hi, my name is sKiZo, and I'm a Tube-aholic ...

As you can see, I went thru a few here before locking in on the Raytheon. That one doesn't usually even show up on the radar for "quality" tubes, but it's what I like. There's no right or wrong ... It's all a matter of preference really. One of the advantages of a tube hybrid is it gives you the option to try other flavors and experiment some. Rolling can also have some serious results for "tuning" a room. I have a Tesla 6CC42 that I paid a ridiculous amount for that's "technically" more accurate, but it's too bright for the room. The Raytheon actually "fits" the room better, toning down the top end just enough to get rid of the ringing in some of the registers on problem instruments like piano and violin ...

Found this a while back that might be useful for anyone who's into rolling the 6N3 5670 396A 2C51 family ... good place to start when looking around.

1st class,
WE396A (D getter)
WE2C51 (D getter)
Bendix 6385
Tesla 6CC42

2nd class,
WE396A/2C51 (O getter)
Tung-sol 2C51 (1950s, D getter)
Raytheon CK5670 (1950s, D getter)
* Raytheon CRP 5670 windmill getter
RCA 5670 (1950s, D/Plate 2 supporting rod getter)
* RCA Command Series 5670
GE 5670 (3 mica structure, mostly 5 stars tube)

3rd class, (after 1960s)
GE 5670
RCA 5670
Tung-sol 5670
Sylvania 2C51
Sylvania 5670 (sometimes marked Mullard)
RTC 5670
Philips 2C51

4th class,
Russian and Chinese 6N3P, -E, -EB, -EV


PS ... as always ...

:worthless

EDIT > > Somebody else mentioned playback format and resolution - very important in any discussion of DACs. I play FLAC exclusively from the HTPC. Mostly CD rips. I also have a lot of vinyl rips done over time at CD Redbook resolution and converted to FLAC. Everything is upsampled to 96/24 using jRiver Media Center, which processes at that rate internally. The Maverick USB handles that gracefully as the last step in the digital chain. Very important to minimize the number of digital conversions made start to finish in getting your music to the speakers, as each can add to the error rate. Once a bit goes sideways, it tends to stay that way.

Also ... VERY dependent on your computer gear if you use one. I had all sorts of little farts and brapples using the HTPC's internal USB channels. Just too much resource competition from my other USB devices that was affecting the signal timing on the audio. Solved that with a $20 add on card that created it's own USB channel that draws current directly from the power supply. Only the DAC and ADC are connected to that. Solved the problem, and all was well once again here in sKiZoLand ...

 

[aopisa]

Hello, new Aune T1 owner here. I am very pleased with how this has elevated my enjoyment of streaming music from my iPad. I listen to mostly Google Play Music at 320kbps and almost exclusively with my speakers.

The stock 6922 tube does a very fine job. I did upgrade to a NOS GE 6AQ8/ECC85 made in Germany tube. This also made a difference in what I perceived as a tighter bass, better mids, increased instrument separation and a sound that I consider a little more 'natural' than the stock tube.

I may try some other tubes, but I would like to listen to this new tube for a while. I am also not very inclined to switching out tubes once I find something I like.

I am eager to follow the development of this thread. Cheers!

 

[Condorsat]

Question

For those using tube DACs for PC. Are you letting the tubes burn 24/7 or are you turning off the Tube DAC when not in use?

 

[BenWaB3]

Another Aune T1 owner here. I listen mainly through speakers but have a pair of Grado SR-80's & Sennheiser HD-598's as well for when I need to use its headphone section. I really like this unit. If I had my druthers I would have gotten the newer version of the Jolida tube DAC, but this one is a good alternative. I didn't really know about the Maverick Audio one until I had gotten the Aune. I do like the variety of inputs on the Maverick that will go though the tube buffer. There is an exhaustive thread on the Aune on the head-fi site & what looks like a fairly thorough thread on the Maverick too. Using the recommendations on the head-fi site I did end up getting a GE tube made in Germany, per arcorob's recommendation, & just got a Telefunken ECC85 as well. They both give a subtle but definitely noticable improvement to the unit. I'll stream a lot of jazz24 or the piano trio section of jazzradio.com allthough I know they're both streaming lower bitrates. For 320 mp3 I'll use the soon to be decomissioned MOG. For direct playing from stored mp3 or flac I'm using foobar.

Ben

 

[70chevelle]

I've had my Maverick D-1 for a few years now. It's versatility is great. I have it connected to a computer for streaming Pandora+ and ITunes to my AKG Q701 phones and also my Sunfire Tubed pre to play thru my main 2 channel system. It works great for me. I got the upgraded GE tube when I bought it and installed the 'upgrade' OPamps, but wasn't too impressed with those.

 

[arcorob]

Turn them off

For those using tube DACs for PC. Are you letting the tubes burn 24/7 or are you turning off the Tube DAC when not in use?

Mine don't get very hot but still, why put hours on the tube ?

On a side note, I get a new DAC to try Monday (doesn't arrive until then) though it was not purchased for that. I ordered the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System

Not as a DAC but to seamlessly rip vinyl BUT it can also work as a DAC. Can't wait to compare.

 

[njcanuck]

I have a grant fidelity tube dac 11 and I prefer the non tube output of the dac. Somehow I think I'm alone on this preference but I think it sounds great. To me it sounds cleaner with no tube distortion, or coloring added to the music.

I'm partly with you. I generally prefer the non-tube output when feeding a preamp or integrated amp, however I like the tube output for feeding my Bottlehead monoblocks.

 

[rwartner]

I've had my Tube DAC D1 for couple years with no problems. Upgraded tube 4 white stars.

You can output from tube and non tube output at same time. Tube output to main amp, non tube to bedroom system via AudioEngine wireless dongles. Both work fine.

I play music 24/7 so Mav is always turned on.

 

[stormydude]

Aune T-1 and Turntable Hookup?

Say guys I've been thinking of building a decent "rig" that I can play my vinyl with using vintage components. I was wondering if any of you Aune T-1 users have a turntable hooked up directly, or via a phono pre-amp, or something?
I would like to hook up to an inexpensive tube amp for mostly headphone critical listening, but not sure if by plugging into Aune T-1 RCA in that it will bypass the tube circuit. So would it be better to get a tube amp like lets say a vintage Dynaco or something, but I can't give up my headphone output. So maybe my idea of a vintage Tandberg, or NAD 3020 amp paired with a decent TT will do the trick? What say you guys?

Brian

 

[rshep]

I bought an Aune T1 on our own BarterTown and have to say that I'm impressed. I use it with Sennheiser HD580's and they have never sounded better. The bass seems more present in a natural, non-boosted way. They also seem to sound more spacious, with better distance and placement of instruments. Basically they sound less "headphony" with the Aune.

I had a Magni Modi/Magni pair but didn't get the same results with those. I ended up using the Modi in my main system (amp and speakers) with my Volumio/Raspberry Pie music server where its doing a nice job with my digital library. I sold the Magni because I wasn't super-impressed with it paired up to the Sennheisers.

 

[sKiZo]

Say guys I've been thinking of building a decent "rig" that I can play my vinyl with using vintage components. I was wondering if any of you Aune T-1 users have a turntable hooked up directly, or via a phono pre-amp, or something?

The Maverick DACs are also very popular with the headphone crowd. The D1 and D1+ also have an analog input so you can plug a turntable in - you WILL need an external phono stage. I use an Art DJ Pre II ... very fine and performance way above it's price point.

Worth noting, the headphone output does NOT go thru the tube ... that's strictly solid state. Also, the stock op amps aren't all that great ... definitely want to do the OPA627 upgrade. On the plus side, you can plug your phones directly into the Maverick and jam, and drive most any cans on the planet. That saves you having to have a separate amp for now, but the tube out is where these things really shine.

* The D2 series doesn't have analog out, so forget plugging a TT into one of those.

 

[StimpyWan]

The D1 came with the upgrades - GE 5 star 5670W and the OPA627 op amps.

I have the Xiang Sheng DAC-01A version. Pretty much the same as the original Grant and Maverick units. I rolled in a GE5670W tube too, but I'm using LT1364 op amps. I added sockets, so I can easily swap in other op amps, and I'm really curious about trying the OPA627's? :yes:

I use my 01A into my old Yamaha RX-V990 receiver, running my Monsoon FPF-1000 speakers. Mainly I run my Dish satellite into it. Just 2 channel. But, this hodge-podge combination sounds far better in sound quality, than the Pioneer Elite receiver, that I was running. Now, I'm looking for more Yamaha gear, as I had forgotten how good it can sound!