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Member Reviews: Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1

_Spanky_

Excellent beginner unit

Posted
By _Spanky_

Pros: source selection, swappable opamps, upgradeable tube

I'll make this a short review and just make several points.   - Excellent unit for beginners. You can use it so many ways, it's really an all-in-one. - Build quality is great, I haven't heard of any dead units. Some minor problems here and there but they are quickly resolved. - Superb support from the company. Fast and helpful emails. - Upgrade and resale potential. You can use this as a DAC and amp and down the road get a nice tube amp hooked up to the tube pre-amp outputs on this device. Swapping the tube and opamps also upgrades the unit. I think resale value should be good due to the flexibility of the unit. - I'm not disappointed with the sound quality of the unit but I only have a...
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alien3456

Perfect little gatekeeper for all your audio needs

Posted
By alien3456

Pros: Tons of inputs, easy source selection

Cons: Some interference between sources

All the other reviews sum up my feelings about this. It's a great all-in-one component. I have my PS3, computer, stereo, and portable devices all feeding audio to the TubeMagic D1. It handles them with ease and doesn't get uncomfortably hot like other amps I've used.   Only flaw I've noticed is that my computer generates a slight signal noise that carries through the SPDIF connection. It's unnoticeable when the volume is set to comfortable levels for the computer, but if I leave the computer on, switch the source to my PS3/portable device, I have to turn the volume up, and the signal noise becomes noticeable until I turn the computer off or disconnect the SPDIF cable. This...
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middachten

Good value, great versatility, pleasant sound

Posted
By middachten

Pros: Great connection options, flexible modding options, good sound

Cons: Slightly lacking detail in HF

  After following the discussion on this forum for a few weeks I decided to go for the D1. I've input from many of you to be very helpful. Thanks for that!   I was looking for an amp/dac that could for the time being replace my TC-electronic Konnekt D24. I haven't read much about this device around here. For me it has been a reliable and high quality work horse in my private project studio. But since I wanted to start streaming audio to my main system in the living room, I've abused this DAC/amp for that.... I have a Philips NP2900 with the digital output connected to the DAC. The last few months I am using the Konnekt more and more in my studio/rehearsal room. And decided to move it back...
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Onetake

An Audio Upgrade

Posted
By Onetake

Pros: Affordable , Upgradable, makes all digital sources sound cleaner bigger and better.

Cons: None , as a first unit it destroys onboard soundcard in my mac, pc and ipod

Could not be happier with the D1 .(Bought with Opa 627 upgrade and the ge5670w tube.)$264 delivered. It has done as advertised and upgraded my digital music and movie collection in leaps and bounds. As this is my first unit i can not make any comparisons. My beyer Dt770 pro 250s now sound so much fatter that they have a dac/amp driving them. Using Media monkey  on pc laptop playing 44.1 mp3's via usb into the D1 with the beyers and everything from Reggae to blues , Hardcore metal/punk to dubstep just sounds awesome, huge improvement on standard soundcards highly recomended! Using the tube preamp through my old logitech 5.1 speakers adds warmth and depth and a truckload...
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Lecentaur

Excellent choice for modding

Posted
By Lecentaur

Pros: excellent base for upgrading Excellent service from Ryan !

Cons: none, not sure the Line In is that useful

I bought this DAC-preamp and after several attempts made the following changes to it for an amazing result:   Installed 5670 Raytheon Windmill getter tube upgraded diodes to Schottky Diode 11DQ10 Changed the output coupling caps to Sanyo Oscon 47uF opamp for tube to LT1364 or metal version of LM4562.   The biggest gain came from opamp then the diodes.  Do not underestimate the diode upgrade.   I own a lot of HIFI equipment and have tested this modded version with STUDER A68 Amps and Infinity 9A speakers. The result is outstanding and the sound is precise and like liquid ! plenty of bass and despite the higher value of coupling caps, no loss of...
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SANDW1CH

Great First Amp/DAC

Posted
By SANDW1CH

Pros: Build quality and lots of input options

Cons: USB input does not support 24-bit/96Khz

I've only had this for a short time but I love it so far.  The xfi soundcard on my computer didn't have enough juice to power my HD650s so I got this to use as an amp and DAC.  I'm using the optical out from my soundcard instead of USB because the USB on this DAC does not support 24-bit/96Khz (it is resampled in the DAC).  This wouldn't be an issue except that I would like to hook my xbox 360 up using the optical connection, now I have to use RCA.  The tube didn't change the "warmth" of the sound as much as I expected or would have liked, but probably for the better.  This has been a great purchase and I'd recommend...
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zooot

Digital Never Sounded Sweeter

Posted
By zooot

Pros: Natural sound from digital source

Cons: At this price, none

I got the Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier w/ Raytheon 6AK5 tube. It was magic right out of the box. Surprisingly good bass, clean midrange and treble, great soundstage. Incredible value, incredible service, incredible sound. Used as a companion with the Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1 DAC w/ GE 5670 Tube, lossless music from a 13" white MacBook into Klipsch KB20 loudspeakers or AKG 701 headphones. Very highly recommended.
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uelover

Mav D1 DAC Experience

Posted
By uelover

Pros: Extremely Value for Money

Cons: Not the best that money can buy (who cares)

This small little desktop dac+headamp+source switcher is one of the single most useful and value for money items out there.   It is a huge leap forward in sound quality for people who currently uses onboard pc sound or low-end cd/dvd/blu-ray players as well as a convenient one stop portal to connect every sources you have to a single output point (acting like an audio receiver).   Couldn't have more complain with this beautiful looking unit.   Only thing I hope for is a possible DAC chip upgrade option for potential audiophile looking for a small and beautiful desktop dac/headamp and are willing to pay a little more.   Clearly, this DAC pale in comparison to the big...
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lepel

My First DAC

Posted
By lepel

Pros: Multi Function

Cons: Headphone always on , i must unplug when not use

this is my 1st DAC  ( for me like First love never die   ) is open my ear , how enjoy sound quality i like the multi function price is cheap , perfomance is good overall i very happy to have it
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