!st impression of TADAC....

[pearsall001]

The FEDEX truck was here bright & early this morning, to my surprise. Well, I got the Tube Audio Design DAC in my system pronto. My initial impression was "DAMN" this thing really brings it in spades. Paul says it has a slight breakin period (approx 30hrs). We'll see what happens over the next few days. I can't comment too much more...I'm busy listening to some fantastic tunes!!! I'll report back later on in the week with a more detailed review. :D
Not to repeat myself, but "DAMN" :D :D :D

[madmax]

My DAC uses a tube. I leave it on 24/7 because it really doesn't seem to do it for me unless its been on for a few days.
madmax

[pearsall001]

My DAC uses a tube. I leave it on 24/7 because it really doesn't seem to do it for me unless its been on for a few days.
madmax

I emailed Paul about the very subject. He replied back that his DAC design is meant to be left on 24/7 without any tube issues. He said if I think it sounds this good right out of the box...wait till you hear it really open up in a few days. Interesting!!

[steveinaz]

Sounds great, keep us posted...

[madmax]

It should open up and become much more real sounding, assuming the tube is new.
madmax

[hearingimpared]

I got your message Phil great stuff. I'll call you later.

I've noticed that when I leave the VTL TL 2.5 pre on for at least 6 hours it sounds so much better than when the green light stops flashing.

[Midnite Mick]

Congrats Phil. I look forward to the follow up.

Mike

[Yashu]

My tube buffer did not begin to really have a positive effect until I had broken it in for about a week of being on. After that, I have only turned it off a couple times because it takes a while for it to begin sounding warm and lucid again.

I would assume that a DAC with a tubed output buffer would be pretty much the same story. Once it gets broken in, you will know. That is what I was told and it is true, you will be sitting there and it will dawn on you that "this is it".

Is this a non oversampling DAC? NON-OS DACs and tubes go great together, but just makes sure your source is relatively jitter free... I have found that jitter can have a profound effect, and that a quality source/transport makes a HUGE difference.

[danger boy]

The FEDEX truck was here bright & early this morning, to my surprise. Well, I got the Tube Audio Design DAC in my system pronto. My initial impression was "DAMN" this thing really brings it in spades. Paul says it has a slight breakin period (approx 30hrs). We'll see what happens over the next few days. I can't comment too much more...I'm busy listening to some fantastic tunes!!! I'll report back later on in the week with a more detailed review. :D
Not to repeat myself, but "DAMN" :D :D :D

is this your first DAC?

I turn my tube DAC on at least 30 minutes before I do any listening. now you gotta roll some tubes in there... what are the tubes in your DAC? chinese, Russian?

[pearsall001]

is this your first DAC?

I turn my tube DAC on at least 30 minutes before I do any listening. now you gotta roll some tubes in there... what are the tubes in your DAC? chinese, Russian?

I had the Van Alstine Ultra DAC before I decided to give this one a try.
The TADAC comes stock with Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 tubes or I can use 5814 tubes. I'm not quite up on all the tube rolling (yet). Should be fun trying different things. Here's a link to the unit: http://www.tubeaudiodesign.com/
So far the TADAC has surpassed my expectations by a long shot. In a few more days Paul said it will really start to open up. Sounds superb right out of the box, I can't imagine what a few more days might bring!!

[hearingimpared]

Phil I'm on the phone with Billy as I write this and he just received the same DAC.

[pearsall001]

Phil I'm on the phone with Billy as I write this and he just received the same DAC.

No way!!! Give me a buzz if it's not too late. What are his initial thoughts?

How the hell is he doing by the way??? He's been missing for a while.

[hearingimpared]

Check you PMs.

[organ]

Congrats! Sounds like a kick ass toy. Wait until you upgrade the EH tubes. You'll be in for a surprise. Look for some NOS like Mullard, Siemens, Telefunken, etc. Can't wait to hear your impression when it's fully broken in. Keep us posted.

[phuz]

The TADAC comes stock with Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 tubes or I can use 5814 tubes. I'm not quite up on all the tube rolling (yet). Should be fun trying different things. Here's a link to the unit: http://www.tubeaudiodesign.com/


The description on the site seems correct. If it sounds a bit forward or rich, try some different tubes. The electro-harmonix have a rich tone. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion after you've tried some different tubes.

Nice B&W knockoffs they have on their site!

[halo]

Having had the TAD-150 amp(s) in my set up - for tube rolling check out Andy @ vintagetubeservices (http://www.vintagetubeservices.com). Let him know what "sound" you're after and he'll get you there ;)

Told you Paul was / is awesome to deal with :)

First class products & top notch customer service. (same goes for Andy).

Njoy the TADAC!

I might be looking into one for a secondary rig myself.

[schwarcw]

Congrats Phil! So you like the TAD DAC better than the Van Alstine?

[pearsall001]

Congrats Phil! So you like the TAD DAC better than the Van Alstine?

Boy! that's a loaded question. Here's the scoop so far. I really enjoyed the AVA Ultra DAC a lot, it really made the music come to life so to speak. Now on the other hand the TADAC (not quite broken in yet) also has jump started my listening pleasure. It adds another presence unlike the Ultra DAC. Which one is better???? is purely speculation at this point. But all things being equal I'm enjoying the TADAC a tad more. And at less than 1/2 the cost of the Ultra DAC I'd say it's a steal. More to follow, stay tuned.

[Early B.]

Pear --

Imagine how your new DAC would sound with these speakers....

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1192940934

[engtaz]

You guys could tease someone into the poor house. LOL:D

[Keiko]

I'm already in the poor house and have no idea wtf a DAC is. :P

[pearsall001]

Pear --

Imagine how your new DAC would sound with these speakers....

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1192940934

Break my balls why don't you!!! LOL!! :D

[Ricardo]

Temptations....temptations....

[hearingimpared]

Break my balls why don't you!!! LOL!! :D

Phil, didn't you hear them at Steve's?

[Early B.]

C'mon Pear, stop bullshittin' and buy those AAD speakers. I like to live vicariously.

[RuSsMaN]

You can use 5814, 5963, 6189, 7730, 6620, or CV4003 in place of your 12AU7's. A 12BH7 is also a drop in for most circuits.

[pearsall001]

C'mon Pear, stop bullshittin' and buy those AAD speakers. I like to live vicariously.

Early,

I heard some other marvelous speakers that just might give the AAD 2003's a run for their money. I've got to get back to Stephens place and have a few more listens. The Jas Orsus & the Hyperion HPS-938. By the way I am extremely pleased with the TADAC so far. Paul knows his stuff alright.
http://www.jas-audio.com/Joomla_en//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=9
http://www.hyperionsound.com/HPS-938.htm

Phil

[pearsall001]

You can use 5814, 5963, 6189, 7730, 6620, or CV4003 in place of your 12AU7's. A 12BH7 is also a drop in for most circuits.


Russ,

What do these tubes bring to the table over the 12AU7's. Right now the stock tubes sound great. I'm really impressed with this DAC.

Phil