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First timer, need advice on DAC/AMP

post #1 of 7
1/9/10 at 6:29am
Thread Starter 
Hello guys,
I've been interested in getting better sound output out of my AKG K240 studios
which I at the moment use with my onboard sound card. The thing that stopped me was
I had no clue about the different gear.. and the prices that I seen looked out of my range. But, I discovered that you guys are actually DIY'ing DAC/AMPS so that kind of opened up some opportunities. After scrolling through a ton of pages here, this is what I had in mind

my computer -> DAC(usb input) -> AMP

For amp..
I rather liking the Millett Hybrids. Found a kit on beezar.com for $220 Hopefully this isn't too expensive compared to collecting everything from scratch. I liked it due to fact that the whole thing is ready, just build.

For DAC..
A bit lost here but I am thinking either GrubDAC or BantamDAC. Gamma1 looks good, but I thinking it's wiser to go cheaper for now and see if I like the tube setup and upgrade from there.

I want to try keep the whole thing under $300, if that's possible. I haven't experienced tube amps or good audio setups for that matter, but I hope I am going in the right direction. What you think?

Last question, how are tube amp setups sound-wise? I mostly listen to classical,occasional rock,metal, and trance. (love bass)
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post #2 of 7
1/9/10 at 8:37am
Hi, I have a Bantam -> Minimax -> 240 and I love what I hear.

I have no exact idea how much I paid for everything since I had to pay import and stuff.

They are both pretty easy to build, had no problems with them.
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post #3 of 7
1/9/10 at 8:57am
I think that my Maverick D1 drives my AKG K701s well. Its got a lot going for it as an integrated preamp/dac/headamp, check the threads. I advise getting the upgraded NOS tube for an extra $20, still well under your budget.
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post #4 of 7
1/9/10 at 3:38pm
Thread Starter 
Hi onyu, that sounds comforting! Good to hear someone with the same setup.
grokit: I thought the kit includes NOS tubes 12FM6. I noticed there's 3 different types.. apparently
light,midrange, and heavy. The 12AE6 Tube sounds interesting, the most bass comes from it.
Which ones are better? Also can I swap them out later? I hope they are not permanently attached.
thanks for the response.
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post #5 of 7
1/9/10 at 3:40pm
Thread Starter 
also, I noticed the Black Gates Option for MiniMAX Kit. Worth getting? The price isn't too bad.
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post #6 of 7
1/9/10 at 3:53pm
I think Grokit was referring to the Maverick D1, which has a lot of solid functionality at a very nice price point (according to feedback on this forum).

I am also considering the Minimax as a build, but like most things, the value of the Blackgates can only be determined by you. One thing to consider is that the Blackgates are no longer manufactured so it may not be and "upgrade" optiong in the future. Also, if you check out the BOM for the Minimax, you might actually pay more getting the stuff yourself than for the kit (especially considering the custom case).

I am waiting for the Minimax kit to hopefully feature the prototype board that had room for a bantam/grub built into it. I have a bantam now and it sounds just as good as the dac on my total bithead (i think). Or at least good enough that I probably won't miss the total bithead once I sell it.
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post #7 of 7
1/9/10 at 3:59pm
Thread Starter 
Ah, that's true. Once they are gone, I won't be able to get the blackgates. I'm already spending the money, and if this will increase the quality then it might be worth it. I just wonder if anyone had any experience with them. Now to decide which tubes to get.. hopefully they are swappable.
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