Quick review of the Modi 2 Uber...
 
Sound
Much improved from the original Modi. In particular, the midrange has much better overall tonality, and the new Modi really brings forth a more detailed presentation. It has an overall tilt towards details, which I believe to be in the upper midrange/lower treble region... it also does so without sounding overly crisp, or bright.
 
I found it to be a much more revealing source than other similarly priced DACs. I find a lot of DACs in this price range to have some fatal flaws that can translate as a muddy sounding midrange, an overall flat presentation where details aren't apparent, or treble related issues. I believe the Modi 2 Uber has a nice overall linear sound, however I believe its detail oriented presentation would be most apparent using it to feed tube gear (some amps that come to mind are the Bottlehead Crack, Woo amps, etc...). I personally used it with the Eddie Current Zana Deux, which I felt already offered a very clean, transparent sound. I was surprised at the difference switching in the Modi 2 Uber as my source made... the Zana Deux sounded even more precise and revealing.
 
Overall I think the Modi 2 Uber is a strong recommendation for others on a limited budget looking for a detail oriented DAC. I have also auditioned other DACs in the Modi 2 Uber's price range, and this would be my go-to DAC for the price. I don't hear the same presentation from the other DACs, particularly in the new Modi's ability to resolve. I do tend to have a preference towards resolution oriented gear, as opposed to simply wanting dynamics and slam from my music, so this is probably why the Modi 2 Uber appeals to me.
 
Comparison to more expensive DACs...
It may sound silly to compare the Modi 2 Uber to the very expensive DACs, however I think a smart upgrade path would be from the Modi 2 Uber to Schiit's Multibit technologies.
 
The next step up would be the $599 MB Bifrost, however I have not heard this DAC. I do own the $1249 MB Gungnir, however, and can touch upon some of the differences with this upgrade. In particular, the bass comes across with much more authority than the Modi 2 Uber. The MB Gungnir is also slightly warm sounding, with the midrange having much improved timbre and overall resolution. The treble is also clean in the same way as the Modi 2 Uber, however it offers a much more natural sounding decay. I am reminded of the sound of treble from my turntable setup, where cymbals ring clear and naturally... percussion on the MB Gungnir sounds superb to me.
 
The Modi 2 Uber does do a very good job with overall resolution and resolving details, however the upgrade to a MB DAC is well worth the price, in my opinion. For myself, the Modi 2 Uber is my stand by DAC when I've loaned out my Gungnir. I am very happy and pleased with the sound of the Modi 2 Uber, even with my impressions of the Multibit technology above. 
 
Overall
At $149, the Modi 2 Uber offers great performance for its price. Schiit lives up to their standard of delivering top notch products without compromise at a price that is easy on the wallet. I can't think of a similarly priced DAC that offers the same presentation as the Modi 2 Uber at this point in time, and for that reason I think it's highly recommended. 

Eddie Current's Zana Deux reviewed...
 
Pre-amble - the Zana Deux original vs the new Zana Deux Super...
- There are two versions of this tube amplifier. Both are output transformerless (OTL) amplifiers; the original model being the "Zana Deux" with one single ended output most suited for driving high impedance headphones such as the HD-600/650/800's. The newer version being the "Zana Deux Super", with a single ended output that offers a low impedance and high impedance output. The Super improves on the original in that it is suitable for driving both lower impedance headphones such as planars, and higher impedance headphones. I have the original version, and based my review listening on the HD-650's and HD-800's. I also listened with my LCD-3 fazor's, and found the original Zana Deux to drive them superbly. I can only imagine that the new Zana Deux would do the same.
 
Looks/etc...
- I had my reservations about this amp looking a bit "industrial" for my living room. When it arrived, however, I was quite surprised at how much I appreciated its look. The black/grey scheme looks slick, despite the visible screws holding everything in place. The two fat Russian 6C33C-B power tubes at the top near the front of the amp are also damn right intimidating, and when their heaters are glowing orange, it's apparent that this amp means business. I normally allow for a good 20 minutes of warm up time for tube amps, and the Zana Deux definitely warms up. The body of the amp gets nice and hot, so I would strongly recommend having some space around it.
 
Sound and Impressions...
- Simply put, this amp is stunning. I have never heard an OTL amplifier that comes anywhere close to the presentation of the Zana Deux. My initial impressions were speed, clarity, amazing euphonics, and a deep, precise response. There is a nice linear response, from the solid, tight bass, through the midrange, and into the treble, with perhaps a slight emphasis on the treble. It doesn't sound dry or analytical at all; I would describe the treble as being "present" in a way that doesn't push, or feel unnatural. 
 
The euphonics this amp is presenting are really what make it something special. I've yet to hear another design that takes the euphonic qualities tubes can present, and allow them to naturally flow into the music, without muddying it up with bloom or excessive warmth. These natural euphonics allow for instruments, vocals, and percussion to naturally flow in layers, with details and clarity emerging from songs I've listened to hundreds of times before. The speed and precision achieved by the Zana Deux is also satisfying on a level that easily competes with many solid state offerings. I've read in the past that Eddie Current amplifiers somehow satisfy both solid state fans and tube fans, but hearing this myself was a revelation. This amp is musical, and warm, but at the same time, the Zana Deux extracts and presents details other OTL amps simply cannot resolve.  
 
Comparing to the Woo WA2, which I found to be silky smooth, airy and elegant, the Zana Deux replaces the WA2's excessive warmth with clarity, precision and speed. I no longer feel like the midrange is being EQ'd through whatever tubes I'm using in the amp... I'm hearing resolution, euphonics, and a very satisfying cohesion from top to bottom. Experienced WA2 owners will agree that tube rolling is key to achieving the very best sound from their amp, however this amp is in another league in comparison with many tube combos I've rolled in my WA2. It sounds powerful, elegant, smooth, yet also refined... qualities I could pull out of many different tube combos I've tried in the WA2, but never hearing all of them combined in the way the Zana Deux does. The euphonics present remind me of what I hear in pinched waist 6922 tubes, a sound that creates a truly luxurious experience with my music.
 
My overall verdict/recommendation...
- The very best OTL amp for HD-650's. If you are a fan of the HD-600's or HD-650 and also a fan of tubes, this is it. You can get some of the sound if you go another route, and try rolling in different NOS tubes, (which will probably cost more than this amp anyway) but there is no equal. 
 
I'd also recommend this amp if you enjoy the HD-800's, but want to bring some warmth into them. It drives the 800's very well, and offers a nicely detailed, rich experience. A bit of warmth, and a lot of euphonics, without sacrificing what the HD-800's do very well. Even fans of solid state gear should consider checking out the Zana Deux... you may be surprised where it takes you.
 
Eddie Current has done something very special in the Zana Deux. It's an OTL amp that satisfies on many levels, without resorting to costly tube rolling. Give it a listen, and allow it to take you somewhere you may never have been with your music...

These headphones are superb in their presentation of rich, harmonic tones. They are not in your face headphones... the bass doesn't have the visceral impact of other headphones, and the highs are not cutting or piercing in any way. These headphones are smooth in a way that other headphones just can't match... they flesh out the tonality of the music, and present it as if you were sitting in the tenth row. You're left to close your eyes and take it all in, without it being pushed at you the way newer, more exciting headphones may do.
 
The midrange can be lush, organic and supremely holographic with the right gear. The bass is controlled, slightly emphasized compared to completely flat headphones, but in my opinion, there is just enough emphasis to keep things sounding balanced. I'm not left focusing on the impact of the bass, or the sparkle of the treble. There is some of that, but the real star of the show is the smooth, romantic tone. Guitar and vocals really shine for me with the 650's, in a way that is just so natural and smooth. The long listening sessions without any kind of fatigue make these headphones a true classic.
 
If you're looking to drive these headphones to their full potential, I would recommend a good OTL amp. The Bottlehead Crack, Woo WA2, or the LaFigaro 339 are probably the three that really bring out the best in these headphones. If you're looking for a cheaper solution, go for a DAC/amp combo that uses a tube... the Aune T1, or the Project Ember. Without one of these, you'll most likely find the 650's to sound somewhat unexciting, especially if you compare them with newer headphones. This is usually why a lot of people end up selling these headphones, moving on to better gear, and then buying them back. You've been warned! For the low price they're selling at now, they are well worth keeping and enjoying.

So, a review Woo Audio WA2... I have divided it into some headings, and rated them out of 100. These are my ratings based on my personal opinion. I'm open to comments as well, feel free to voice yours!
 
 
--->PRICE (85 out of 100)
Currently listed on Woo's site for around $1200, with stock tubes and components. Woo used to also offer a component upgrade to Black Gate capacitors, and a stepped attenuator volume control, but I don't think this is an option anymore... mine came without the upgrades, so this review is for the stock WA2. As far as Black Gate caps, I haven't heard them, so can't speak to how they might change the sound. I don't think they're being produced anymore, so this is probably why the upgrade is no longer available. Also, the volume potentiometer hasn't caused me any grief at all, as far as imbalance or anything else goes, so I am happy enough having the stock amp.
 
Tubes are probably your biggest concern regarding pricing, so my recommendation would be to mindfully purchase tubes, based on your needs. Woo offers some different "upgraded" tubes from the stock ones, but they are very pricey, in my opinion. See below under "Tubes" for some prices and options...
 
Tube amps in general are what I consider pricey... however, starting at $1200 for an exceptional headphone and pre-amp, I think the cost is decent. Not the cheapest option for a headphone amp, but I personally plan on keeping the WA2 and ditching my similarly priced WA7... more on that later.
 
My opinion is that if you can pick this thing up second hand for $1000 with some nice tubes, you're doing good. The tubes are the most costly part of really pushing this amp to its full potential...
 
 
--->LOOKS (90 out of 100)
Comes in black or silver, has a sizeable footprint at 13" wide x 9" deep and weight (17 lbs). Also produces a considerable amount of heat, like most tube amps. I have the black version, which looks very slick, but tends to show off any dust that collects on it. The front has a 1/4" headphone jack, as well as two sizeable dials; one to select the input source, and the other for volume. There is also a small push style on/off switch, with a slick little blue LED. Overall it looks like a quality amp...a remote control would also be awesome, although most amps don't feature one. No big deal.
 
 
--->TUBES AND IMPRESSIONS
I do my listening on Sennheiser HD-650 headphones... I enjoy their presentation for its full body, tonal depth, smoothness, and non-fatiguing highs. My opinion is that these headphones shine with OTL amps, and the WA2 can be a match made in heaven with these headphones.
 
The WA2 has two rectifier tubes, two power tubes, and two drive tubes... 6 tubes in total. 
 
--Rectifier Tubes
I left the stock NOS Yugoslavia Ei EZ80 tubes as my rectifier tubes. This is what the amp came with second hand, and I've heard that these are among the best. They're very cheap although not plentiful on eBay, but I have no ambition to try rolling in any other rectifier tubes. Woo offers a very pricey upgrade to Westinghouse NOS tubes which I haven't heard.
 
Further reading:
@lukaskite's EZ80 shoot-out: http://www.head-fi.org/t/402215/the-woo-audio-2/510#post_7243933
 
 
--Power Tubes (Current prices online and my personal impressions...)
The WA2 takes 6080/6AS7G/5998/7236 tubes, which range in price for a pair from around $20 USD to $500+ USD... here are some of the more popular tubes that are used with the WA2, and my impressions, if applicable...
 
$20 USD for a matched pair of NOS Philips 6080WC tubes - These came stock with my WA2, and sound very rich, muddled, and not very detailed. I put them in and immediately wanted to turn off the amp and swap in something different. Lots of rich, syrupy sounding mids, and not much else. Not a fan of these at all.
 
$40 USD for a matched pair of NOS RCA 6AS7G tubes - Very nice sound... warm, smooth, deep texture, nice width and decent depth for soundstage... Sound powerful, deep bass but it definitely isn't as controlled as the Tung Sol 5998 tubes... an exciting sounding tube. Sacrifices detail compared to the Tung Sol 5998's as well, but I actually am very impressed with these tubes for the price.
 
$80 USD for a matched pair of NOS Sylvania 7236 tubes - Smooth, immense soundstage... don't have the punchy bass or overall power of the Tung Sol tubes, but incredible at separating individual instruments/vocals. Nice tonal depth, and super smooth, but at the sacrifice of details. The mids also seem to be missing the magic of the above tubes, which is a bit of a deal breaker for myself. I do really appreciate the separation and smoothness these tubes produce though... kind of an eye-opener for me for how wide open everything can sound.
 
$200 USD for a matched pair of Bendix 6080WB tubes which I haven't heard, but are supposedly much better than the Philips 6080's. 
 
$250 USD for a matched pair of NOS Tung Sol 5998 tubes - Beloved by many for their deep, powerful sound, these tubes are beauties. Tight, controlled, very deep base, with an overall warm signature, fleshing out many harmonics and also very decently detailed. The high end also extends fairly well which is a welcome balance to the very deep bass these tubes push through. It has also been stated in the WA2 thread on Headfi that these are the recommended tubes from Jack Woo to use with this amp. 
 
$500+ USD for a matched pair of NOS GEC 6AS7G tubes or WE 421A tubes - supposedly sound the very best. Haven't heard them.
 
Further reading: 
Nick Tam's useful 6080/6AS7 review from the Bottlehead Crack forums: http://the-key.enix.org/~krystal/review-tube-bottlehead.html
WA2 Tube Rolling Recommendations from headfi: http://www.head-fi.org/t/393811/woo-wa2-tube-rolling-recommendations
Smaller thread from headfi: http://www.head-fi.org/t/574969/good-tube-combinations-for-the-woo-audio-2
 
 
--Drive Tubes (Current prices online and my personal impressions...)
The WA2 takes 6DJ8/ECC88/6922/E88CC/7308/E188CC/Cca tubes, which range in price for a pair from around $20 USD to $500+ USD... There are so many very cheap 6DJ8 tubes that in my opinion are not even worth your time. They will work in the WA2, but they have general sonic flaws that will impair the sound... The ones that came stock with my WA2 were not offensive sounding to me... I would guess they were Russian tubes, but I personally believe in Amperex, Mullard, Telefunken, or Siemens tubes. Here are some of my comments on the Amperex and Siemens tubes...
 
Amperex 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes - I am going to be very general and categorize these tubes into two piles - the Heerlen, Holland tubes, and all others. My reasoning is that all of the Amperex Holland tubes share the same general sonic qualities... an overall warm, clear presentation with a rich sounding midrange. The bass is generally tight and not overly pronounced, and the highs are generally polite, coming across nicely without being overly extended/sparkly or harsh. Starting from the cheapest 6DJ8's, and moving up to the 10,000 hour rated premium 7308 tubes, I hear better clarity, even better 3d-sounding midrange, and a very warm, balanced presentation. I personally prefer the 7308 tubes stamped as "Miniwatt" tubes, which go for around $100 each. I also like the "Orange Globe" tubes with solid, round dimpled getters. These can go as cheap as $20/pair.
 
How to identify the Amperex tubes:
The Holland tubes have a "Delta" date code that looks like a half triangle, and will always have creases near the top of the tube, where the vacuum tube glass was "folded" during the manufacturing process. The getter flash on the top of the tube is generally near the top and not very deep, and the getter itself is normally a round, halo style, or a D style for the older tubes. The mica on the 7308 tubes is normally round without any tiny little triangle type perforations, whereas the 6dj8/6922 tubes usually have the triangle perforations on the mica. Please note that I have never seen an Amperex 6DJ8 with a "saucer" style getter, like the Russian tubes. I have seen fakes and they sound terrible!!! Also, a "perfect" testing score for 6DJ8 tubes is transconductance of 12,500/12,500 micromhos, and a plate current of 15mA/15mA - anyone who has test results higher than those is probably not using their tester at the right voltage!!
 
Other Amperex tubes come from the USA plants, and start with a * date code. These are supposedly also pleasurable to listen to, with less emphasis on midrange... I have not heard them so I honestly cannot comment on them. Lot codes stamped above the date codes are also useful for Amperex tubes... for the regular 6dj8/ecc88 tubes, look for GA1, GA2, GA3, etc for the older tubes ('50's), and GAA, GAB, GAC... etc for the not so older tubes ('60's).  For the premiums, look for 7LA, 7LB, 7LC... 7LG etc for older tubes ('50's), and VR0, VR1, VR2, VR3... for not as old tubes ('60's). Both sound amazing... I would not recommend getting too involved in hunting down old tubes unless you want to turn into a 6DJ8 maniac like myself... you've been warned!
 
Siemens ECC88/E88CC/E188CC/Cca tubes - So, these tubes were generally made in Surenes, France, or Munchen, Germany. I personally have only heard the German tubes, and they have a very exciting sonic quality... deep bass, and extended, sparkling highs. Moving from the ECC88 tubes up to the E188CC tubes, the overall refinement and clarity is improved. I find the E188CC tubes to be a touch more exciting than the Amperex 7308 tubes, as the Siemens highs are spectacular, and bass becomes more and more controlled with the pricier premium tubes. BUT the Amperex tubes absolutely slaughter the midrange presentation of the Siemens tubes. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a touch, but the Amperex tubes do have an edge when it comes to midrange. The Siemens tubes present a superior depth of soundstage, with nice, deep, clear bass that will be maximized rolling Tung Sol 5998 power tubes, as well as breath-taking airy, sparkly highs with an extension the regular Amperex tubes just can't replicate. The danger with the Siemens tubes is that I find they're generally lacking in refinement of the midrange... they just don't seem to flesh it out as well as the Amperex tubes. This is a deal-breaker for me, and the Amperex tubes seem to be in better supply, so I personally stick with the E188CC Miniwatt tubes in my WA2. I have heard from others that the premium E188CC Siemens tubes, or even Cca tubes have beautiful mids, and I also imagine that they do a better job with imaging/micro detail in atmosphere. These tubes are outrageously expensive, and I imagine that they're worth every penny. I would recommend not hearing them, or your experience with all other 6DJ8 tubes will be ruined (Partially joking).
 
Identifying the Siemens tubes: Same as the Amperex tubes; look for the four creases along the top. Also, look for an "unequal to" sign in the date code, which identifies them as being manufactured in Munich. Good luck finding the date code, as it's extremely hard to find. Sometimes its etched on the glass sideways, and very, very hard to see. Sometimes it's etched on the actual support for the getter itself (etched on the metal), and sometimes it is also etched into the bottom of the tube, between the pins. The mica is also not entirely round, like the Amperex premium tubes... it has a couple of tiny little triangular supports, and the flash from the getter is deeper than the Amperex flashing, usually. I am generalizing here, so please do your own research before buying NOS tubes.
 
Further reading:
Joe's Tube Lore on Audio Asylum: http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html#6DJ8
Schiit Lyr tube rolling thread on Headfi: http://www.head-fi.org/t/549508/schiit-lyr-the-tube-rolling-thread
6DJ8 date codes from Brent Jessee: http://www.audiotubes.com/mullcode.htm
 
 
OVERALL SCORE  (92 out of 100)
If you want a high quality SE OTL amp, look no further. The Woo WA2 is a very powerful, smooth sounding beauty of an amp. Tube rolling options are plenty, which can seem a bit discomforting for some, but it really allows you to take the sound wherever you want to, with plenty of power from the WA2 to support your addiction. What I hear from this amp is a very smooth, pleasant presentation, with lots of tonal depth, fleshed-out harmonics, and punch. It drives HD-650's to their full potential, and also has the benefit of being used as a pre-amp to drive speakers. As I mentioned earlier, I prefer the WA2 to the WA7 simply because of its ability to bring out such a warm, romatic sound without sounding like a slouch. I find the WA7 to offer a more speedy, almost solid-state like presentation, and I miss hearing some of the harmonic warmth the WA2 excels at presenting. Both amps offer deep, exciting bass, but the WA2 is such a chameleon, being able to roll in different power, driver, or even rectifier tubes.   
 
I hope you enjoyed this review, and I welcome all comments! Happy Headfi'ing.

The Aune T1 is a great DAC/amp combo on a budget, with the ability for tube-rolling which makes it a winner compared to other portable solid state DAC/amp combos in its price range. I reviewed my T1 listening on Sennheiser HD 650s, and I think it pairs up very nicely with them.
 
 
Packaging
 
My T1 came packaged in a nice cardboard box, with plenty of foam packing to prevent damage to any components. The tube also came packaged inside the foam, as it is quite fragile. If you're unboxing your T1, make sure to look for the tube inside the foam packaging, as some others have missed it! Also included is an instruction guide, USB cable, and wall adapter (there are two separate adapters; one for 220V and the other 110V).
 
 
Build quality
 
The T1 comes in two flavours; silver or black. I have the black edition, and the case looks very slick. The tube itself plugs in the top, beside a round volume dial. Headphone jack is located on the front of the case, and USB, power, and RCA jacks are all located on the back. There are also dip switches located on the bottom of the unit, for adjusting the gain settings for the amplifier. (0db, +8db and +16db settings are available). Overall, I am impressed with the case, jacks and volume dial. The case itself looks modern and has rounded corners for a stylish look. There are plastic guards that are supposed to snap in around the top of the tube to prevent contact with the tube, but I think they look very cheap and did not install them. There is no additional guard to go over the tube, which is not an issue for myself.
 
While the T1 is on, the case itself will get warm, then may even get hot to the touch. This leads me to only leave it powered on while I am in the vacinity of the T1, as I am overly cautious. I would strongly advise the same, which may be an issue for some. There are others who leave their units powered on 24/7, but I don't like the fact that the case warms up.
 
The T1 can be opened up very easily, and I actually upgraded the capacitors inside of mine. It came with a mix of Nichicon, Panasonic, and ELNA capacitors, which I opted to remove and replace with ELNA Silmic II, and Panasonic FR capacitors. I had no issues with the stock capacitors themselves, I just wanted to further refine the sound of my unit. 
 
 
Input/output Options
 
Input - the T1 requires a USB input to play the music through the tube portion of the DAC. It is limited to a max of 24bit/96kHz which is great. There is also an RCA input which will go through the amplifier portion of the T1 only. If you plug in via RCA, the DAC and tube will not be in use.
 
Output - The 1/4" headphone jack can work solo, or also in conjunction with RCA outputs which can feed an amplifier and speakers. I honestly enjoyed the headphone amp of the T1, although I have heard it reviewed by others as mediocore. After upgrading the capacitors, the headphone amp now sounds amazing.
 
 
Sound quality
 
The T1 uses a Burr-Brown chip inside of its DAC, along with the tube buffer. The quality of the sound with the T1 will vary greatly depending on which tube is being used. Mine came with the "upgraded" Electroharmonix 6922 tube, which I quite enjoyed. It sounded slightly warm, with decent separation between bass, mids, and highs. I noticed clarity in the bass compared to my laptop's soundcard, which was more bass heavy and muddled. The mids and highs were also pleasant sounding, although I found that the highs were a bit bright for my liking. Overall, it was a nice upgrade from my laptop's soundcard, but I wanted to refine the sound even further.
 
I rolled in a Phillips JAN 6922 tube which cost $15, and immediately noticed the mids became slightly richer sounding, and the soundstage layered out. I preferred this tube to the EH 6922.
 
I then rolled a Siemens E88CC gold pin tube, which cost around $45, and was astounded by its presentation of the highs... female vocals were nuanced, refined, highly detailed and spacious/airy. Cymbals shimmered without any brightness, and the height between bass/mids to highs was expanded. I was in love with my collection of female vocalists.
 
Onward to the Amperex 7308, which I am currently enjoying. Beautiful, rich sounding mids, and detailed highs (although not quite to the extent of the Siemens tube). Layering and imaging beyond belief... this puts any other amp/dac combo in the T1's price range to shame. These 7308 tubes come in many different variations, and can be found on ebay from $15 to $200 and up. I would expect to pay around $45 for a nice 7308 tube.
 
As mentioned, I also opted to upgrade my capacitors inside the T1. I bought my new capacitors online for $25, and it took a couple of hours to open the unit, do the soldering, and close it back up. The change in sound is very, very nice. Beautiful, refined, liquid gold is now shimmering from my T1. I highly recommend this upgrade as well. (Details can be found here, on the T1 Discussion Forum).
 
 
Overall
 
To recap, the T1 is a great option if you are playing digital files at home, or at the office. It requires a dedicated setup on the desk, and I would also recommend feeding it CD quality FLAC files, or 320kbps mp3s. I would also recommend upgrading the tube, as the sound definitely changes with different tubes. The capacitor upgrade is not mandatory for beautiful sound, but it will take your T1 to a level far beyond its price point.
 
 
For less than $200, the T1 is a great way to enjoy warm, detailed, layered sound. I highly recommend the T1, and also recommend reading the T1 Discussion Forum here on headfi, as there is plenty of info from other users. I rate the T1 at 4.5 out of 5 stars.