I have three of these 8x TDA1543 Non-OS DACs and only one pair of ears (unfortunately). I've used the two units for sale only once or twice each so I doubt they're even burned in. I have one of each of the following for sale, and you can check my purchase history in the eBay links (doobooloo):
Gigalab Moon DAC, eBay link here
When I bought this in October it was $150 + $50 shipping but it looks like competition from the Valab DAC below has brought the price down to $170, shipping included. Ah, such is life. I bought two of these, one for desk and other for couch, at the time of purchase the Valab was not available as an option so I just bought two of these. Before the second one arrived, the Valab became available so curiosity took over and I bought the Valab as well.
$OLD shipped in CONUS, PayPal included
Valab NOS DAC, eBay link here
Original purchase price was $150 shipped. Very similar in design and features as the Gigalab Moon DAC but slightly cheaper. Brief comments on sound below.
$OLD shipped in CONUS, PayPal included
Now, what are the differences? Feature-wise they're almost identical. Sound-wise, the Moon DAC is a little more refined, not sure where the difference is coming from but the USB receiver is different in the two models. I'm sure the passive parts used are different as well, and maybe the subtleties of circuit implementation. The Valab sounds a little harsh and less full in comparison, but this difference is extremely minimal and perhaps after full burn-in that difference gap may vanish. I eventually modded my first Moon DAC with BlackGate output caps, Vishay-Dale I/V resistors, and OS-CONs for various electrolytic spots, and it sounds very, very nice.
The Moon DAC has jumpers inside for setting 110V/220V. The Valab has these positions solder-jumpered.
Both units come in their original packaging (nothing fancy, but what I originally received from the seller nevertheless) and their condition is just like how I received them new. Once again, due to bad timing and decision on my part and curiosity override I ended up with three of these units... the two for sale have been sitting in their original packaging in the corner of my room for the past two months, forgotten until now...
Please PM me if interested. Thanks!
Gigalab Moon DAC, eBay link here
When I bought this in October it was $150 + $50 shipping but it looks like competition from the Valab DAC below has brought the price down to $170, shipping included. Ah, such is life. I bought two of these, one for desk and other for couch, at the time of purchase the Valab was not available as an option so I just bought two of these. Before the second one arrived, the Valab became available so curiosity took over and I bought the Valab as well.
$OLD shipped in CONUS, PayPal included
Valab NOS DAC, eBay link here
Original purchase price was $150 shipped. Very similar in design and features as the Gigalab Moon DAC but slightly cheaper. Brief comments on sound below.
$OLD shipped in CONUS, PayPal included
Now, what are the differences? Feature-wise they're almost identical. Sound-wise, the Moon DAC is a little more refined, not sure where the difference is coming from but the USB receiver is different in the two models. I'm sure the passive parts used are different as well, and maybe the subtleties of circuit implementation. The Valab sounds a little harsh and less full in comparison, but this difference is extremely minimal and perhaps after full burn-in that difference gap may vanish. I eventually modded my first Moon DAC with BlackGate output caps, Vishay-Dale I/V resistors, and OS-CONs for various electrolytic spots, and it sounds very, very nice.
The Moon DAC has jumpers inside for setting 110V/220V. The Valab has these positions solder-jumpered.
Both units come in their original packaging (nothing fancy, but what I originally received from the seller nevertheless) and their condition is just like how I received them new. Once again, due to bad timing and decision on my part and curiosity override I ended up with three of these units... the two for sale have been sitting in their original packaging in the corner of my room for the past two months, forgotten until now...
Please PM me if interested. Thanks!
