R2R NOS DAC and DDC Mini-Bakeoff

[Orangecrush]

Well, its been a while but I received my ANK DAC 4.1 Limited Edition. I only have about 125 hours on it and the upgraded V-Cap CuTF output caps need 500 hours. I am using a the stock tubes which are actually really nice. All NOS except for the regulator tubes which is a Electro-Harmonix 6BM8 / ECL82.

Once I get to 400 hours, I will put in my top tier NOS tubes.

I was worried about adding a tube DAC to my system as I have very high efficiency speakers 101 dB-SPL and a tube amp Decware Torii III. I was worried that it might adversely affect the super quiet noise floor I have. The DAC is dead quiet. The noise floor has remained the same. Which is amazing on these speakers and considering it replaced a DAC that measures very well. The Anedio D2 was the only Sabre based DAC that I liked. Extremely transparent, but with a slight silkiness to it. Very refined.

The ANK DAC has been a revelation. The second thing I was afraid off, was a loss of detail or transparency. That also was unfounded. While there is a huge increase in weight, texture and dynamics, there is no loss of resolution or transparency. This really surprised me. I was expecting a trade-off.

It might be the V-Cap Cuft's that help in this regard. Expensive, but you only need two small valve caps, so it was worth it.

Before I say anything more, I need to put some more hours on it. But so far with inexpensive tubes, it has far surpassed all my expectations. There is no trade off or weakness that I can detect so far. A really full sound that seems to be more palatable. Almost like you can reach out and touch it. I have never experience anything like it. 

I will report back in another 200 hours!

 

[George 47]

Nice....but then I am biased.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Yes. Funnily in my system I preferred George's 2.1 over his 4.1; although you could hear the quality and resolution, the 2.1 was just more fun. In George's system the 4.1 shone.

...... huge increase in weight, texture and dynamics, there is no loss of resolution or transparency.

This is my experience with the BP and AN DACs.

........and still loving the BP. Revealing changes upstream transparently.

M

 

[Orangecrush]

So 500 hours later and the good tubes in. Everything is just so good. Listening to music much more now which is the biggest compliment. All the other things I mentioned still hold true, but now I can add that the highs are actually more present but in such a beautiful way. Seemingly limitless.  The common argument against NOS DACs is rolled off highs. They obviously have never heard a Audio Note DAC. This is definitely it for me. 

 

[George 47]

So 500 hours later and the good tubes in. Everything is just so good. Listening to music much more now which the biggest compliment. All the other things I mentioned still hold true, but now I can add that the highs are actually more present but in such a beautiful way. The common argument against NOS DACs is rolled off highs. They obviously have never heard a Audio Note DAC. This definitely it is for me. 

Ain't that the truth....

 

[robin]

I know this thread is a few years old, but the story continues, I have bought Georges 2x1 dac, got it on Monday, to replace my border patrol patrol dac, that is also linked to this thread, in my system to my ears the 2x1 is a big improvement on the border patrol, the biggest improvement is in the treble, but it is so much more musical, I'm very impressed, much better than I expected

 

[rabski]

From my own DIY builds, I think there are two major aspects to the AN 'sound'. First, the choice of chip (usually AD1865) and second, the use of transformers in the step between the DAC chip output and the analogue stage input. In my ones, adding transformers into the build made a notable difference to the sound, in good ways.

 

[robin]

Introduction

Would love to have opened this up, but I only have a small living room.

Visited by Metatron and George47 yesterday, together with George's AudioNote (AN) 2.1, an AN4.1 he is currently sheltering and the Matrix SPDIF 2 that he recently reviewed.

I bought a Schiit Eitr and so we had a three way comparison between my current DDC, the SingXer F1, the Matrix and the Eitr.

The main aim was to repeat the get together a couple of weeks ago where we compared the AN2.1 and Border Patrol (BP) DACs in Metatron's system, but in mine.

My system (briefly):

USB Storage/StarTech/Raspberry Pi 3 powered by R-Core Chinese LPSU via LT3045
Sonore ultraRendu powered by R-Core Chinese LPSU via LT3045
DDC
DAC
EAR868/EAR534
Focal 1008be II

One thing I have been wrestling with for months is edge. I think there are a number of reasons for this and present in different, although similar, ways. I have made progress but this was again bothering me, especially as I thought I had more or less put it to bed a few weeks ago - this was a driving force behind trying the different DDCs. They made NO DIFFERENCE on the edge front, but something else did, which I will return to later.

We made up a review music list, which was modified over the day: See Appendix A.

The DDCs

Metatron was delayed so George and I initially compared the DDCs. My view:

F1
https://www.shenzhenaudio.com/singxer-f-1-xmos-usb-digital-interface-board-xu208-chip-high-end-u8-upgraded-version.html
Detailed.

Eitr
http://www.schiit.com/products/eitr
Detailed. Bit more weight to the intruments. Bass perhaps a touch better defined.

Matrix
http://www.matrix-digi.com/en/products/158/index.html
Wow. Detailed. Weighty presentation. Warmer. Excellent sound stage. More below.

The DAC comparisons were therefore done with the Matrix.

The DACs
The DAC comparison was obviously very straightforward: 4.1 > 2.1 > BP. Actually ......no.

I bought the Border Patrol having done long comparisons with the Bel Canto DAC 3.5vb, Schiit Yggdrasil and the Lampizator L4G5. All are good DACs but their presentations will suit different tastes and systems. For me the BP wasn't as detailed as the Yggy, or as euphonic as the Lampizator, but it communicated music in a joy filled and enthusiastic fashion that I find extends any music listening session.

Listening to the AN2.1 at Metatron's was very similar to the BP, but added: a bit more bass weight; detail; and spacial positioning. It repeated this in my system.

The AN4.1 is a bigger and MUCH heavier beast. I believe this IS probably the best of the DACs .....but NOT in my system; system synergy. The 4.1 extracted more detail and nuance but just lacked the boogie factor of the 2.1 and BP.

Intellectually I believe the order of the DACs in terms of detail and presentation is 4.1 > 2.1 > BP; in the right system.
However, in my system the order for me was: 2.1 > (4.1 = BP), where the detail and nuance of the 4.1 was equaled by the BP's boogie.

We ended the day playing Streetwalker and Billie Jean via the 2.1, what a blast.

Edge
While trying the 4.1 we useed the SE inputs, but decided to try the balanced, this failed for some reason (I suspect my cables). I realised that I had plugged the balanced cables into my Oppo 105D a few weeks ago. Removing these cables appeared to reduce the edge we were hearing. I will be testing this again today.

Matrix
I am very impressed by this small box of tricks. It is not simply that I am hearing added detail from very familier tracks it warmth and instrumental weight makes me listen to whole albums where before I might have been inclined to listen to certain tracks.

Conclusion
I suspect I will be buying the Matrix.
I am very happy with the BP DAC, which I think is an absolute bargain. However, if an AN2.1 comes up at the right price I suspect I will find it very hard to resist.

Thanks to George & Metatron.

Appendix A - Music Playlist
---------------------------------------------
Let Me Touch You Fir a While
Alison Krauss & Union Station Live (Qobuz)
Track includes some high notes that can be hot on my system

Columbus
Mary Black
Live at Oympia (DVD rip > 16/44)
My favourite recorded version of this artist and song.

Keith Don't Go
Nils Lofgren
Acoustic Live
Virtuoso Guitar

Son of Man
Phil Collins
Tarzan Soundtrack (CD rip)
Can be far too hot on my system

Happy
Martin Sexton
Seeds (CD rip)
Sharp Recording

Crucify (2015 remaster)
Tori Amos
Little Earthquakes (Qobuz)

Come Together
Brian Bromberg
Wood  (Qobuz)
Big fat bass!

Unfinished Sympathy (2006 remaster)
Massive Attack
Collected  (Qobuz)

Hella Bar Talk / Enterprising Young Man
The Music of Star Trek
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra  (Qobuz)
Powerful stuff.

Jungle
Tash Sultana
Notion  (Qobuz)

I know this is a old thread, but thought I tell you 4 months ago I manage to wrestle the audio note 2.1x dac from George, while my border patrol dac was waiting for a new dac chip and board coming form Gary dews, top bloke, no charge for the replacement even though it was out of warranty, I love the an dac, but the border patrol gets pretty near it, but I'm keeping the an , border patrol in the classifieds

 

[robin]

Opps I didn't realise I had already posted in this thread, sorry guys

 

[Cable Monkey]

Getting old and forgetful mate! 😂

 

[George 47]

Opps I didn't realise I had already posted in this thread, sorry guys

If it is good audio it does not hurt to say it more than once.

 

[Mr Underhill]

I know this is a old thread, but thought I tell you 4 months ago I manage to wrestle the audio note 2.1x dac from George, while my border patrol dac was waiting for a new dac chip and board coming form Gary dews, top bloke, no charge for the replacement even though it was out of warranty, I love the an dac, but the border patrol gets pretty near it, but I'm keeping the an , border patrol in the classifieds

Hi Robin,

Absolutely:

Gary = top bloke = yes;

BP gets close to 2.1 = yes, and some may prefer its presentation. For me, like you, the 2.1 had that bit of audio magic that I couldn't ignore.

The 2.1 I bought had had some uprated caps, Black Gates, added; this did improve it a tad over the standard.

Might be worth contacting AN and seeing if they have any second hand gear in at the moment.

M