Aune T1 USB Tube DAC+Amp Discussion Thread ***See first post for FAQ*** - Page 24

Yeah, umm, funny thing...

 

 

I have not yet ordered it.

 

 

I'm really close though.

What is a cheap but still trustworthy reseller?

I bought some ecc88 tubes from eBay user lupoz and I don't know if its just my inner cynic or not but I was fully expecting to be ripped off. He actually sent what he advertised -- two Amperex Bugle Boy tubes. As far as I can tell they aren't fakes based on all of the "how to spot a fake" guides I've seen. They actually sound good too.

Both are just straight ECC88s from Merleen, Holland. One has a dimple getter, the other a ring getter. I've only done a little listening and both sound very smooth, a bit on the warm side. Imaging and soundstage are good, bass is tight and they have very full mids, treble is fine as well. They do not have the other-worldly quality of the 7308, but for $25/each they are very good, I'd give them a solid B.

That is the exact same seller I just ordered from.

 

Great to hear.
 

 

Is it the same single support leg amperex that I have or A frame support? I bought from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230899559453?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Hi there, sorry if I seem a bit annoying 'cause this is my first post:

 

I'm considering an Aune T1 as a replacement for my Behringer UCA200 interface (UCA202 without the optical out), but I have a couple of questions. My current device can record from the line-in into my computer. Does the Aune have a link between the analogue input to the DAC, or does it just solely use the amp? If it does work, how's the sound quality? Thanks for any input (no pun intended).

 

This would make an awesome value vinyl digitiser (as well as a much better DAC), because I have several records whose masters were not nearly as good on any CD pressing.
 

Edited by Paspie - 1/26/13 at 1:38pm

Single leg like the one in your picture.

To do line in to your PC from a turntable you're better off just sticking to your Behringer or something similar. The Aune is meant to provide an audiophile grade output for your PC or Mac to replace your soundcard. The line in on the Aune does not go through your computer, nor does it use the tube, it is simply meant to act as a line in to headphone out.

You can route the line in of the Behringer to go out the DAC and tube on the Aune using something like Audacity or another DAW. That is how I am using my turntable now through a device chain like turntable > m-audio fast track ultra > Mac > Aune > headphones. It is not the perfect solution, but it works.

Ok, people!!  I give up.  I can no longer resist. :-)  I just ordered mine. :-)

 

So, my ebay seller says:

 

More detail:

With headphones and speakers delay protection.

High quality component used:Japan ALPS potentiometer, German WIMA capacitors, ENLA audio capacitor,

Headphone output gain adjustable.

6DJ8/6922 series or 12AU7 series exchangeable

 

Can I really use a 12AU7 tube?  Can anyone confirm this?  (I have a couple of these around. :-)

I'm afraid the Aune T1 can't do the job. I'd recommend the same chain of equipment like toschek but then the superior mastering quality would be lost because of the computer's inferior ADC. I think what you need is a computer interface, not a DAC/Amp. Those things are quite expensive.

I wasn't aware that 12AU7s were compatible, they may be pin compatible but have different voltage or heater requirements. I would caution against trying them before contacting Aune directly to confirm they'd work. I haven't seen any official documentation that even mentions anything other than 6dj8s.

I think the 12au7 is pin out type 9a and 6dj8 is 9aj. The 7308/cca is the best tube of this type as far as I am aware, I'd love to be wrong and have other options though.

Sorry quoting you twice, but you might want something like this. ART USB Phono Plus.

 

http://artproaudio.com/artcessories/turntable_preamps/product/usb_phono_plus-ps/

 

The younger brother, ART Deejay Pre II received appraisals. This one should be better.

Yes, they can be expensive. The fast track II didn't cost much though because I bought it used. It completely bypasses the computer's ADC but the way I have it setup. It isn't very elegant in my opinion, having to have many outboard devices makes for a lot of clutter. I can live with it though.
Edited by toschek - 1/27/13 at 1:10am

E:

 

We did a little mistalk, I meant single leg support with DIMPLE DISC getter ( http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/jagster/sep2200.jpg ) (I have this one and it`s not called "bugle boy", it was made between bugle boys for short time and is real deal). The one toschek has is with D-getter like he showed me @ PS: http://cdn.head-fi.org/2/2e/2e433bf8_bbone.jpeg - this should be a real "bugle boy" ;) I just wanted to be sure he doesn`t mix up my tube with his bugle boy.

 

Btw, here is a list of tubes that should fit for Aune T1: 6DJ8, ECC88, 6922, E88CC, 7308, 6N23P, 7DJ8, PCC88, 6N27P, E188CC, ECC86, 6GM8, PCC189, 7ES8

Last two are basically same as PCC88 with littlebit higher heater voltage but should work flawless like my Tungsram PCC88.

 

Just had little talk in RG forum with Mike:

 

 

 

And about that different genres with different tubes I am still at same opinion. For example electronic music like ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz82dyC-zHo ) vs. Metallica ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovBNnm4EqRE ) are just way too different for using same tube. You just can`t listen to Metallica for example with 6922EH properly because guitar riffs, percussion and vocal just get some sort of "lost" in that wide soundstage, aint so well identifiable and concrete. And with electronic music it is much more enjoyable to listen with airy/wide soundstage. You can listen to electronic music like I brought for example with narrower/foward sounded 6N23P but it sounds somewhat "dull".

But well, it`s matter of taste. If someone is happy with using same tube for everything then it`s ok ;) I prefer 2 different tubes. Maybe even 3rd for classical but I don`t listen to it much.

Edited by CoiL - 1/27/13 at 7:04am