[Rem0o]

Yup, there are some RCA outputs at the back, which only use the DAC section.

 

[dana789]

  So I took the plunge. I bought the Aune T1 to go with my K450s while I decide on whether to purchase the HD650s or the He-400s. The perk of living in China is I got the upgraded version for $130 shipped. Awesome.
 
My question is simple, and a completely newbie question I know, but as the T1 is an amp and a DAC, will I be able to use it solely as a DAC if I decide to upgrade amps in the future?
 
I've heard people rave about the DAC in it, comparing it favorably with the Modi and almost any other DAC in the sub $250 range, and I know the amp is pretty stellar, but I've been eyeing a pair of HD650s together with a Bottlehead Crack at some point in the future. So if I buy the Crack to go with the He-400s/HD-650s, will I be able to bypass the amp on the T1 and use it just as a DAC.
 
Thanks. This is my first post on a new board in a long time, thought I was done picking up hobbies that will cost me an arm and a leg.

The T1 has RCA outputs from the DAC, so you can go right from the DAC to an external amp. I never tried it, but I understand that numerous contributors to this thread use it in that way.

 

[abhinit90]

So I have a doubt.
 
Since the DAC is a solid state one with a tube buffer. Wouldn't the signal be more "pure" if somehow the tube stage was bypassed? So tubes are only acting as an equalizer?
 
So tubes can't add anything, no more soundstage, no more clarity. Just might promote/ recess some frequencies?
 
Am I right?

 

[spacequeen7]

  So I took the plunge. I bought the Aune T1 to go with my K450s while I decide on whether to purchase the HD650s or the He-400s. The perk of living in China is I got the upgraded version for $130 shipped. Awesome.
 
My question is simple, and a completely newbie question I know, but as the T1 is an amp and a DAC, will I be able to use it solely as a DAC if I decide to upgrade amps in the future?
 
I've heard people rave about the DAC in it, comparing it favorably with the Modi and almost any other DAC in the sub $250 range, and I know the amp is pretty stellar, but I've been eyeing a pair of HD650s together with a Bottlehead Crack at some point in the future. So if I buy the Crack to go with the He-400s/HD-650s, will I be able to bypass the amp on the T1 and use it just as a DAC.
 
Thanks. This is my first post on a new board in a long time, thought I was done picking up hobbies that will cost me an arm and a leg.

I have Aune T1 connected to Crack and it's sweet combo ,yes you can use DAC part of Aune via RCA -in this case you will have a benefit of using  three tubes (one on Aune and two more on Crack ),the amp on Aune works if you have your headphones connected  to Aune T1,as for headphones 400s and 650s are very good choice all tho I would recommend HD650 
 

Originally Posted by abhinit90 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
So I have a doubt.
 
Since the DAC is a solid state one with a tube buffer. Wouldn't the signal be more "pure" if somehow the tube stage was bypassed? So tubes are only acting as an equalizer?
 
So tubes can't add anything, no more soundstage, no more clarity. Just might promote/ recess some frequencies?
 
Am I right?

no you will still use the tube ,the only thing that's bypassed will be the amp

 

[abhinit90]

  I have Aune T1 connected to Crack and it's sweet combo ,yes you can use DAC part of Aune via RCA -in this case you will have a benefit of using  three tubes (one on Aune and two more on Crack ),the amp on Aune works if you have your headphones connected  to Aune T1,as for headphones 400s and 650s are very good choice all tho I would recommend HD650 
 
no you will still use the tube ,the only thing that's bypassed will be the amp

I think I wasn't able to clearly illustrate my point. Isn't the tube buffer in T1 more of a gimmick?

 

[Rem0o]

  I think I wasn't able to clearly illustrate my point. Isn't the tube buffer in T1 more of a gimmick?

Kinda. A fun gimmick for some, but still a gimmick for me.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

   
I think I've probably read about 40 pages or so, here or there.  It's tough to get that much time since I'm working and in the midst of moving to another state.
 
CoiL, a T1 owner on here, was nice enough to PM with me back and forth the last couple hours with some very helpful info.  
 
It's tough to decide as the Schiit stack is out there for a similar price, is made in USA, and is supposedly excellent quality.

 
Doesn't the T1 have a solid state amplifier? Which means you can pair the tube DAC of the T1 with a 'better' (read: dedicated) amplifier from Schiit. That probably won't improve the sound much, but it might be a fun experience and not a huge investment at all. It'll be a pretty dope setup.

 

[pngwn]

Isn't tube rolling pointless unless you use the RCA output on the T1? Otherwise, you're just feeding the signal through to the amp and bypassing the tube? Or am I misunderstanding? I'm using the RCA outs and know for a fact that tube rolling has effects, but I've been just a bit confused as some people do use it without the RCA out?

 

[spacequeen7]

  Kinda. A fun gimmick for some, but still a gimmick for me.

in what way is it "gimmick" ?..please explain 

 

[abhinit90]

  Isn't tube rolling pointless unless you use the RCA output on the T1? Otherwise, you're just feeding the signal through to the amp and bypassing the tube? Or am I misunderstanding? I'm using the RCA outs and know for a fact that tube rolling has effects, but I've been just a bit confused as some people do use it without the RCA out?

Nope, the chain goes input -> DAC -> RCA OR Solid-state (internal) amp
 
DAC comprises of the following two components: 1)Solid-state DAC section 2) Tube-buffer. The output of the first section is passed through the tube buffer to add "coloration" of the tube type
 

  in what way is it "gimmick" ?..please explain 

 
See:

  So I have a doubt.
 
Since the DAC is a solid state one with a tube buffer. Wouldn't the signal be more "pure" if somehow the tube stage was bypassed? So tubes are only acting as an equalizer?
 
So tubes can't add anything, no more soundstage, no more clarity. Just might promote/ recess some frequencies?
 
Am I right?

 

[spacequeen7]

 
 
See:
Since the DAC is a solid state one with a tube buffer. Wouldn't the signal be more "pure" if somehow the tube stage was bypassed? 

I already mention the tube stage NOT being bypassed 
 
Aune won't work without the tube,quit trying to nit pick and enjoy this little unit

 

[abhinit90]

  I already mention the tube stage NOT being bypassed 
 
Aune won't work without the tube 

I'm very well aware of that, but doesn't a tube-buffer only serve to "pollute" the signal. Wouldn't the Aune be better off without it?

 

[spacequeen7]

 
I'm very well aware of that, but doesn't a tube-buffer only serve to "pollute" the signal. Wouldn't the Aune be better off without it?

I don't think tube rolling is your thing ,if you prefer dry /sterile sound just stick with SS 

 

[abhinit90]

  I don't think tube rolling is your thing ,if you prefer dry /sterile sound just stick with SS 

Sir, let me quote a famous TV-show: "I want to believe"
 
I'm trying to find a reason, I feel that I'm missing something. As far as I can understand, tube rolling (In THIS case) only amounts to a sort of equalization. Mostly "proper" tubes are required only in tube amps.

 

[Rem0o]

  I don't think tube rolling is your thing ,if you prefer dry /sterile sound just stick with SS 

SS are not dry/sterile. Listen to a Violectric V200 or a Burson and tell me it is dry.

The tube in the T1 as everyone knows is a buffer, thus having no gain. So you are adding 2 amplification devices (dual triodes) , implemented in a way that they add 0 gain. As far as fidelity is concerned, those added parts can only add distortion and/or deteriorate the original signal. Compare this to a tube amp / preamp, where the tube is an essential part of the circuit, providing gain to the signal, thus being a key part of the design.

That's just my take on it, I might be wrong. But that's not the say the Aune T1 is a bad unit, it's just that some design elements are questionable.