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TubeDAC-09 tube rolling

Well. I've watched this thread for a while, since I decided to buy the DAC-09. I received it the other day and have had a few listening sessions with it but am mostly letting it burn in a bit. On eclein's advice I've ordered the GE Red Stars. Your set up is similar to mine (How do you add that as a signature by the way? Not very obvious) I'm running as sources a Pioneer turntable in need of serious upgrading, A Pioneer DVD / CD / SACD player Optical out to the DAC-09, or my laptop to the DAC-09 via USB. The DAC's volume control is put to full after a brief warm up. Out put from the tube section to a Virtue M-901 on a battery pac. Speakers are a set of GR-N3s ported out the rear with outboard cross-overs put together by the Ninja. I was running an Edirol sound card before this. All I can say until I do more listening is I'm quite impressed by the warmth and the soundstage the DAC-09 provides. I'm a drummer also by the way. I have a sweet Gretsch kit in the .... Living Room! I needed to make room in my newly established listening room and my wife was so kind as to permit me to set it up in the front room. Of course the trade off is I have to do the cat litter now. Works for me!

Regards
Dave
 

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And I received a confirmation this morning that Tubedepot is sending me a WE 396A :). eclein, do you leave the chassis off or put it back on each time you swap out a tube? I haven't opened mine up yet but I sort of like wesworlds idea, have it standing upright with a hole in the lid to accommodate it.
 
Dave of the said:
And I received a confirmation this morning that Tubedepot is sending me a WE 396A :). eclein, do you leave the chassis off or put it back on each time you swap out a tube? I haven't opened mine up yet but I sort of like wesworlds idea, have it standing upright with a hole in the lid to accommodate it.
Click to expand...

After taking a closer look at the pic, it may be harder than I thought... It would look pretty cool tho...
 
Copied from Audio Circles:

eclein, where in the chain of equipment have you placed the B-283? After the DAC-09 and before the Virtue amp? How are you using the DAC-09 - with the tube or SS out? What are your sources and which input do you prefer?
Thx
Dave
 
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Hello Ian, how about a sticky for the tube rolling on the Dac09. It could include price range along with feedback rating from users ie...7/10......9/10 etc. along with a comments section. That way Dac09 owners can judge what price/ performance they are willing to settle on especially guys with low budgets....like me. Thanks.:scratch2:
 
Dave of the said:
Well. I've watched this thread for a while, since I decided to buy the DAC-09. I received it the other day and have had a few listening sessions with it but am mostly letting it burn in a bit. On eclein's advice I've ordered the GE Red Stars. Your set up is similar to mine (How do you add that as a signature by the way? Not very obvious) I'm running as sources a Pioneer turntable in need of serious upgrading, A Pioneer DVD / CD / SACD player Optical out to the DAC-09, or my laptop to the DAC-09 via USB. The DAC's volume control is put to full after a brief warm up. Out put from the tube section to a Virtue M-901 on a battery pac. Speakers are a set of GR-N3s ported out the rear with outboard cross-overs put together by the Ninja. I was running an Edirol sound card before this. All I can say until I do more listening is I'm quite impressed by the warmth and the soundstage the DAC-09 provides. I'm a drummer also by the way. I have a sweet Gretsch kit in the .... Living Room! I needed to make room in my newly established listening room and my wife was so kind as to permit me to set it up in the front room. Of course the trade off is I have to do the cat litter now. Works for me!

Regards
Dave
Click to expand...
Nice set!!!!!
I was using the buffer after the DAC and before the amp, I was using the tube pre-out. I have since reconfigured my setup and only use the DAC-09 as a pre-amp/DAC again using the tube pre-outs and then into the Virtue TWO.2...I love the combination. Getting the -GE Red 5 Star- tube really brought this unit to a nice new level, amazing what one tube can do!!!
Sources are Virtue Piano M1 CD Player into the analog input of the DAC and Squeezebox Duet using both Coax and Optical inputs on the DAC...I tend to use the optical more often than not.
^^ I posted the above over on AC also, been ill sorry it took so long to post.
Enjoy!!!
 
Manx said:
I too own a DAC-09, and would like to upgrade the stock tube. After reading the posts above, I came up with an attractive looking buy on Ebay, although it's not specified as a "red" GE 5 star type... Ya think this one's worth checking out for under $20 including shipping? http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-GE-5-Star-5...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item5acea1b75a
Click to expand...

Manx let us know how it sounds, funds are low here but I might scratch enough to grab one if its a good sounding tube.
 
Wouldn't using a tube buffer after the DAC's tube output be redundant?

Dave, click on the "User CP" link on the blue menu bar up above and find the "signature" link on the left. I think that's where it is.
 
Yep its redundant, but the theory was with a different type tube I'd get a different sound which was in fact true. I have since only done away with the buffer to free up some cash for a speaker project. I have only had positive experiences with everything I have owned from Grant and I will look to them for any future purchases first. Its interesting that Ian says in another post that even modified by the factory the original DAC-09 sounds excellent...I love this DAC, absolutely the best money I've spent, or hardly spent, for stereo gear.
 
I have received both tubes, and since the Red Stars showed up first, that's what I swapped first. I only have 20 or so hours on it so I don't believe a comparison can be made, but I'm easily as happy with the sound stage and clarity of my whole setup at 20 hours on this tube as I was with the 150 or so I had on the original tube. I'll be doing some more listening tonite :).
 
I found a guy on audiocircle who has some Bendix Red Bank tubes and I got one coming in early January- a holiday gift for myself! I'll let you guys know how they sound, they are a bit pricey at $125 ea. but I figure what the heck why not, these DAC's are pretty special so lets see what it does with a Rolls Royce Engine in it!!!!:beerchug:
 
I just received my DAC 09 recently. I immediately opened it up and put a GE "black" 5 star 5670 in it. This little black box has to be one of the better values in home audio. I have a very nice tube amp (4-6L6/2-12au7/1-6SN7/2-5R4, vintage iron, point to point, etc. all nos 40 watt RMS) and a very decent tube preamp (Dared SL2000a). I pulled the preamp and started using the DAC 09 as a preamp. I ran the coax to a CDP and the other SS output to a subwoofer. I ran the 2 analalog inputs to two turntables. The sound is very good.

I am not so sure that I don't like the DAC 09 as preamp more than as a DAC. This little puppy is VERY versatile.
 
Easily the best money I've spent on gear, it does everything for my setup and does so very well. People just don't think you can get so much for so little, but you can!!!!
 
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