tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Has anyone heard this DAC? Here is a pic: Here is a link to the website: http://www.tubeaudiodesign.com/ It sells for $1000 with a remote. He offeres a 21 day trial with a $45 restocking fee. It doesn't have a usb input but he says on the site the following: "USB PC sourced digital audio sounds amazing! Need a small external 24-bit, 96k Sound Blaster USB powered data converter box ~$50 at Office Depot. The TADAC has the best sounding audiophile hardware - the PC data conversion circuitry is not built-in. Best keeping the two separate to unleash the best possible sound. Yahoo! Music from the PC is high resolution - PC audio sounds like CD's using the TADAC." When I think about the money we spend on gear, getting to try it out for a few weeks for $45 sounds like a decent deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Has anyone heard this DAC? Here is a pic: Here is a link to the website: http://www.tubeaudiodesign.com/ It sells for $1000 with a remote. He offeres a 21 day trial with a $45 restocking fee. It doesn't have a usb input but he says on the site the following: "USB PC sourced digital audio sounds amazing! Need a small external 24-bit, 96k Sound Blaster USB powered data converter box ~$50 at Office Depot. The TADAC has the best sounding audiophile hardware - the PC data conversion circuitry is not built-in. Best keeping the two separate to unleash the best possible sound. Yahoo! Music from the PC is high resolution - PC audio sounds like CD's using the TADAC." When I think about the money we spend on gear, getting to try it out for a few weeks for $45 sounds like a decent deal. Haven't heard it, but the tubbyness knob bodes ill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Dew eet! And let us know how you like or not. Though I must admit, "TUBYNESS" knob bothers me for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 I didn't know what to make of that other than it reminded me of the contour knob or whatever it was called on the PPX3 Slam. I have know idea if it's the same. The guy who designed this is pretty well regarded for his amplifiers which included the Cayin TA-30 (I believe he modded them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 tubyness = And Reks, the texture control would have some effect on volume naturally since a lot of tube amps experience a gain change with respect to the amount of negative feedback applied. The newly released Bijou amp design is a good example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 What if we ignore the tube dial. Can anyone look at the internal pics and determine if it's a decent design. From my research it looks like the tube dial had been an option in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Just grab it and try it out, I wasn't trying to discourage you. Lots of small shop gear sounds great, but has some asthetic issues. Lots going on with that case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 What if we ignore the tube dial. Can anyone look at the internal pics and determine if it's a decent design. From my research it looks like the tube dial had been an option in the past. Got a link to the pics? The only one I found on his site was this: And it doesn't show a whole heck of a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 That's the one. I had a feeling it didn't provide enough info. Let me see what I can find. Dan, whether I go for it will depend on whether Plaidplatypus accepts my offer and/or I go for the new O2 rig. If Plaid accepts and I go forward with that deal, I will probably through this on the AMEX. I'm going to email him to see if he will offer without volume control and without the tube dial. I have no use for that. Anyone have any comment on using that device converter to use usb. That would be my preferred method but I could also go optical from the mac mini. I know, I know, just get it and see if it's good. I found this on another site, it's an email from the designer: "He explained that the very highest dollar DAC use discrete components for conversion, reason being is that ALL manufatured DAC chips compress the analog output in order to get ready for the next filtering stage. He did a couple things different with this TADAC. He uses NO filtering after the BB 1793 DAC, (allowing the tube to handle that) the signal imediately goes into voltage conversion. Quoting Paul..."They must deliberately must compress out of the DAC chip to allow for enhanced filtering the next stage is supposed to be doing. I only use the next stage to convert differential chip output to single ended and raise the dynamics by raising the voltage gain angle." I think using discrete conversion would eliminate this compresion effect and give new life to the digital format. Maybe these are things that everyone already knows... but maybe these are secrets of the Zanden sort? Some other interesting points... Many DAC that do use discrete conversion then go into the typical filtering arrangement loosing much detail, or do not offer single ended output (or both) thereby loosing even more detail and harmonic richness. Also even tho the TADAC does use a DAC chip, the one that is used (BB1793) has possibly the lowest jitter of any integrated DAC. Jitter so low that the physicaly larger discrete DAC arrangement may not be able compete with it. I learned much by just a few emails with him, I wish I could have bent his ear longer. buzz" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomana Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Mike, are you getting rid of the Cosecant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Mike, are you getting rid of the Cosecant? Not until I find something better for the same or less money. Why, should I put you at the top of the list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Can I be the first to say I am curious about what the Tubyness knob does? And potentially might like it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Can I be the first to say I am curious about what the Tubyness knob does? For those on a tweaking expedition (aren?t we all?) There is a small knob that allows you to adjust how harmonically close you?d like to sit (Called the Tubyness knob). Final tweak the soundstage to match your system and personal taste. Included on all 2008 TADAC's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomana Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Not until I find something better for the same or less money. Why, should I put you at the top of the list? Don't I already have half your old gear? No, wait, you buy and sell way too much for me to have half. I'd rather save for a good tt, but thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 ...Thanks, but I guess what I meant was, I'd like to hear what it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerius Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 There's a couple things which ring warning bells, 12AU7 tubes and the fact that they're biased so low that they'll last nearly forever. The 12AU7 isn't a particularly linear tube to begin with (diyAudio members really dislike the damn thing) and running it such that it's barely on is going to make things even worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzziguy Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Don't I already have half your old gear? No, wait, you buy and sell way too much for me to have half. I'd rather save for a good tt, but thanks. Hey, I know where you can get a used Linn at probably a reasonable price! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slwiser Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Can I be the first to say I am curious about what the Tubyness knob does? And potentially might like it? My guess is that you can dial in how much even harmonic distortion you want to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 I'm curious how it effects soundstage, that seems like an interesting variable to be able to control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archosman Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 I've got something a little different than that... but I guess it qualifies as tubyness. When I get back to Nashville I'll post a pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomana Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Hey, I know where you can get a used Linn at probably a reasonable price! > Are you talking about Johnnyboy? I don't think he's selling yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 There's a couple things which ring warning bells, 12AU7 tubes and the fact that they're biased so low that they'll last nearly forever. The 12AU7 isn't a particularly linear tube to begin with (diyAudio members really dislike the damn thing) and running it such that it's barely on is going to make things even worse. While it would be nice to find something for less than half the price of the Wavelength that sounds as good, maybe I am chasing after something that doesn't exist. I still may give it a try as the most I am out is $45 plus shipping back to him. Jp is in a holding pattern at the moment. Although, if you really want it, I can't probably convince him that he must upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomana Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Jp is in a holding pattern at the moment. Although, if you really want it, I can't probably convince him that he must upgrade. Damnit, don't tempt me. I need a new car before a tt...but then again...my current ugly has run exceptionally well for 11 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Damnit, don't tempt me. I need a new car before a tt...but then again...my current ugly has run exceptionally well for 11 years... Do you want his car too? Just let me know. You're not buying a car. You've been talking about this since I met you. There is a couple of nice tt on Audiogon that you can get for under $2000. You know you want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postjack Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 There is a couple of nice tt on Audiogon that you can get for under $2000. You know you want one. Yes, I agree. Buy this table so you can tell us how it is. Pro-Ject RM9.1 Fixed your link -- Dusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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