TubeDAC-09 tube rolling

[eclein]

I bailed on the Bendix Tube, I'm saving for an A-348, at least this week...When I have enough saved up I'll talk to Ian about what they have that will fit my stuff the best.
In the meantime while I'm obsessing about getting tubed to the max is it overkill to use the DAC-09 as a pre-amp with say an A-348?? If I were to use the tube pre-out of the DAC in combination with the Tube Integrated would I be clouding the sound?
Thanks and Happy Holidays to everyone!!!! Ed

 

[iGrant]

I bailed on the Bendix Tube, I'm saving for an A-348, at least this week...When I have enough saved up I'll talk to Ian about what they have that will fit my stuff the best.
In the meantime while I'm obsessing about getting tubed to the max is it overkill to use the DAC-09 as a pre-amp with say an A-348?? If I were to use the tube pre-out of the DAC in combination with the Tube Integrated would I be clouding the sound?
Thanks and Happy Holidays to everyone!!!! Ed

Not all Ed, that is how I use the TubeDAC-09 on every system in the showroom, all you are doing is setting the output volume of the TubeDAC-09 to match the rest of your system, which for all of my gear is in the 6 to 7.5 volume range.

Happy holidays to you too

Cheers,
Ian

 

[MWalt]

After playing around with the DAC 09, I have my system configured for maximum benefit. My Dared SL2000a preamp only has 2 inputs, so 1 goes to my turntable and the other to the DAC 09. The DAC 09 has 1 input to another TT and the coax to the CDP. Everything is breaking in and sounding better as I get more hours on the setup.

Does anyone know if there is a difference in sound between a GE RED 5 star 5670 and a GE BLACK 5 star 5670? I have the black in my DAC 09 and it sounds very nice.

 

[eclein]

Haven't heard the Black myself, would be neat to do a comparison between the two though and see if there is any perceivable difference....its like the dangling carrot, now that I know there is a Black 5 Star I really want to try one even though I have a Red 5, I'd hate to be missing anything....LOL...gotta love this hobby.

 

[MWalt]

I believe MHardy is the only one to do a legitimate test between the stock Chinese tube and the Red 5 star. Maybe I should send him my black and see if they are similar.

Although the GF DAC 09 sounds pretty good as a preamp, I had to go back to my Dared SL2000a. It really is far superior as a pre. But DAC 09 is serving duty as a DAC and as it breaks in it is getting better and better.

 

[secondhandni]

I have just bought a dac 09 and it will be arriving shortly, but I plan to replace the tube with a NOS GE 5 Star 5670WA I have just ordered.

The 5 star are the military grade version and in preamps are said to offer better separation and to be a slightly clearer than the green print 5670.

the version I have ordered is the black plate version not the reds everyone else has, I would have ordered the red but at $100 vs $15.99 I was prepared to give it a crack.

The system that the dac will be used on is

FLAC files played on HTPC > DAC-09 > Crown D45 Amplifier > Wharfedale Diamond 9.3's

the crown amp is a very nice bit of ss gear. thd of 0.001! the sound from it is as clear as you will get but I find it rather sterile. I am hoping the DAC used in tube mode will give it some more warmth.

I got the tube from here:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390013761370&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

and will post back results after it arrives but it will be a while as I want to burn both tubes in before giving any comparison. also a spare pair of ears usually helps to give a second opinion, especially when you don't tell tell them which tube is "supposed" to sound better!

Cheers!

 

[secondhandni]

My DAC arrived earlier today and is now installed and working.

my configuration is as follows: PC>USB cable> DAC tube out> RCA out to XLR unbalanced > Crown D45 Amplifier > Wharfedale Diamond 9.3's

The dac sounded very clean but SHRILLL!!!!!!! I know this would change if i allowed the tube to burn in but I had a NOS GE 5670 5 star black plate just sitting there and was keen to swap it right in even after only an hour of listening.

After swapping in the new tube INSTANT IMPROVEMENT!!!!!!!! clarity is better and it is much easier to define individual instruments. vocals sound sweeter and there is just less but more if that makes sense.

I have a few questions...

1. if the volume is set to 0 on the dac that means no preamplification, but how does this affect the tube? the reason I ask is that it seems to sould much nicer with the volume set to 0. at the 12 o'clock position it just sound to busy. would this be due to the crown getting a strong enough signal and not needing the preamplification?

sorry for the nobby question, I am really not an audiophile...

the files in question I have been playing are FLAC files and original cd's. mainly dire straits pink floyd so far.

I must say it sounds very sweet and I am sure with burn it it will just get better. I am going to run sound thru the DAC for the next 100 hours to burn the tube in but I am already impressed.

cheers!!!

 

[iGrant]

At zero volume on the TubeDAC you get sound in pre-amp mode ? Sounds strange

Feel free to give me a call on our toll free number.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[secondhandni]

my bad, sorry Ian,

the dac is one of the recent ones so it was shipped without the volume control connected to the RAC's

so to correct, I am using it in DAC mode.

my amplifier claims to be able to produce full power with only .632 volts.

Would the DAC be delivering at least that in DAC mode?

Am I getting the full tube sound by using it in DAC mode or would I get more tubeyness doing the soldering mod and running it in preamp mode?

once again sorry for the stupid questions. This is a fantastic product and I just want to make the most of it!

cheers

 

[iGrant]

Ok, in DAC mode (as currently shipped) then there should be no difference in output with the volume control. The the TubeDAC-09 can output about 2.0v in DAC mode or when cranked to full with the Volume activated, so plenty of drive voltage for your or just about any amp.

Let the unit burn in to say 150 hours and see if you still need more 'tube' sound, which you can achieve by rolling the 6N3 tube, lots of info already here on this.

With you amp I would make the mod to activate the volume control, you will likely find 6 to 7 on the volume control will give you a more relaxed sound and if not just crank it back to 10 Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[secondhandni]

Thanks Ian! you have been a great help. sorry for getting off topic.

back on topic.

I have the following valves

Stock 6n3
GE 5670 Black Plate 5 star
2C51 Erricsson LM (I think this is a D getter) made approx 1958 secondhand and free!
2C51 Tung-Sol secondhand and free but unused for the last 30 years!

the last 2 tubes were given to be by a retired tech. he had a dig through a box of preamp tubes he had and pulled these out. he also had some RCA and some unknown russian tubes.

First thing I noticed was how small all these tubes were compared to the stock chinese tube. The 5670 5 star is in the DAC now and sounds fantastic! once it had 100 odd hours I will try the erriccson.

The guy that gave me the tubes said the 5670 5 star was his favorite and would sound the best. He was also surprised that tubes were still being used in hifi said the sound quality coming from the DAC was nothing short of amazing!

More results form the other tubes as they are swapped in. cheers!

 

[eclein]

I have a bunch of tubes also and find the GE5670- with the RED Five Star Logo to sound the best myself. Are the Five stars RED on yours?? I'm assuming it makes no difference but there are a couple versions-printing on the tube itself is Red or Gray. I'll find one with the label printed in Gray and see if there is any difference, yours might be better sounding but either way the 5 Star was the best for me.
When you get ready to try more, look for a WE396A-Western Electric, that tube is awesome also and many folks think they are the best. I have found that when you change equipment, speakers, cables even, that some of the tubes that were not your favorites can actually sound better with the new system setup you might have changed to. Synergy is an amazing thing, and is part of this hobby for sure.
Enjoy your DAC!!!!!!!!!!!
Edit--I just read your first post and see the 5 Star info....keep your eye on ebay...I got TWO RED ones for like $35 shipped..if I see someone selling around there, I'll post it for ya.

 

[mhardyman]

One of the GE Red 5 Star died...

On another thread I was the one comparing the stock Chinese 5670 with the GE Red 5 Star since I have two DAC's to play with. The GE's became a permanent part of the Tube DAC's and the stock Chinese are boxed and stored. When I purchased the GE's I decided to pick up two pair just in case. Glad I did. A few days ago one channel was still pushing signal through at a reduced rate as well as heaps of grunge and frying bacon. Noisy mother. Took me awhile to narrow it down to the DAC since my preamp and amps have their own tube drivers as well. Popped a "new" 5 Star in and was off a sailing happily again. Nice tube. Very linear.

The 5670 world of tubes is going to undergo a slight metamorphosis as Bottle head has just released their new Paramount 1.1 mono blocks using a 5670 as a driver to the 300B.

Going to have to go shopping again... will it ever end? sigh

 

[secondhandni]

my ge 5670 black plate 5 star now has over 100 hours on it and it is fantastic!

great tight clear bass and crystal clear midrange, highs are very detailed but not very bright.

I tried the tungsol and was about as impressed as the stock tube, slightly better separation but nothing special.

I have just rolled in the erriccson and its very warm sounding but lacks quite a bit of detail and distorts raspy female vocals in the higher range. I will leave it in for a week but the 5670 will be going back in for sure.

I have just ordered a valve amp. the sound was addictive i couldnt help it :

 

[Guy at Large]

The weather in Calgary has me trapped indoors and wanting to tinker with my DAC-09. I just swapped in a GE 5 star (black) 5670.

Current setup:
MacPro > toslink optical cable > DAC-09 > GF's RCA-1 interconnects > NAD 720 BEE > Monitor Audio RS-1.

I'll post feedback once this tube has some time on it.

 

[secondhandni]

Has anyone tried a 6N3P-EV in their DAC? I only ask as I have a few of these spare and they sound fantastic on my power amp as a driver stage. also they cost about $1 and have to be better than the stock 6n3 tubes...

I still have the 5670 5 asta black in there and its my favorite but would like to experiment with some others.

the 6N3P-EV's are a russian millitary grade tube and come form several plants in teh 60's to 90's with the 80's ones sounding best apparently.

if no one has tried them I will put one is as soon as it arrives and post my opinion.

cheers!

 

[AmCan]

Russian Tubes

I have had my Tube DAC - 09 for a few months now and almost immediately switched to a 2C51 Russian Tube from 1983. The tube is very stable and has a filament voltage of 6,3. This tube never has any distortion but also has very little colorization to it. A friend gave me a Jan 5670 to try and it really sounds good with a lot more color, less detail, but warm and inviting, almost slows down the pace of the music. The problem is that it crackles on dynamic passages or female vocals in the high frequency range. I know the voltage is a lot lower than the Russian tube. Will the distortion clear up with break in time? Is there a good compromise between these 2 tubes? A 5670 with a higher voltage? Ian I have an old 7199 (Dynaco) preamp tube. Can I try that in my DAC or will it fry it? http://thetubestore.com/janphilips7199.html

 

[iGrant]

I can't find any info that would suggest trying the 7199, anyone else?. Did you let the stock 6N3 burn in? Again this is the tube I use and demonstrate the TubeDAC-09 with. I doubt burn in is going to solve any break-up in sound on your JAN 5670. The GE stars and WE 396A seem to be the fav rolls

Cheers,
Ian

 

[basstrap]

I can't find any info that would suggest trying the 7199, anyone else?. Did you let the stock 6N3 burn in? Again this is the tube I use and demonstrate the TubeDAC-09 with. I doubt burn in is going to solve any break-up in sound on your JAN 5670. The GE stars and WE 396A seem to be the fav rolls

Cheers,
Ian

C'mon Ian, you sell tubes, you should know this. The specified tube is a dual triode using pins 1+9 for the heaters. 7199 is a dual section triode/pentode using pins 4+5 for the heaters. One is a chicken and one is a duck.

 

[iGrant]

we don't sell 7199 tubes, don't know the tube, a quick search shows no relation to the 6N3, no need to look any further into, but if this type of post is all that makes your day then have a nice day.

Ian