Tube DAC mods breaking in nicely!

[pearsall001]

Now that my Music Hall tube dac mods (DynamiCaps, Burson op-amps, output stage mods) are done & it's back in my system feeding my Sonos ZP90 I've starting counting the breakin hrs. I'm using the EAT ECC-88 gold pin tube now & I also have a Bugle Boy to swap out when the mood strikes me. I'm at about 30 right now & it's really starting to open up & impart a nice sweetness to the music. I won't pass final judgement till it has a good 200hrs though. If it sounds this good after only about 30hrs I can't wait to hear how it sounds once the hrs have racked up.

The bass has me scratching my head on how it's tighter, forceful, & more dynamic without being overdone. The vocals are coming thru more front & center with a nice crispness & a lush sweetness. Very natural & easy on the ears is a nice way to describe it. The imaging is maybe about the same but I expect to hear changes as time goes on. The soundstage has widened & moved forward a bit but also this will probably improve over time also. But for right now I'm really enjoying my new sound!!!

This is one fine stock dac & new mods have really taken it to a whole new level.

[pearsall001]

A good 100hrs on the cap mod now & it's sounding very, very sweeeeet!!! This whole experience of having the dac modded, ripping my cd's to FLAC, picking up the SONOS music system, ditching the cd player & embracing the new digital technology has been a very rewarding experience. I never thought that I would ever be one to make such a move. Very happy that I did! If you're sitting on the fence about making the move...get your arse in gear & just do it! You won't be sorry.

[tonyb]

Glad your diggin' it pal, and yes, I'm one of those fence sitters. I've pretty much decided to go with the sonos, only thing is I would have to use the dac in my receiver as funds for a dac are nowhere to be found right now.

[dhart86]

Who did the mods on your dac?

[heiney9]

Great news, Phil. Enjoy!

H9

[dkg999]

Good feedback! Who did the mods? You're making me want to send mine off for the same mods!

[pearsall001]

Stephen Monte the owner of Quest for Sound did the mods. A great audio guy who has the nicest two channel business in the area. The man is a tubeaholic & really knows his stuff. He has his own line of tube gear & horn speakers, and he does all the design work & oversees the production. Great reviews on all of his stuff.
http://www.questforsound.com/