Closed: SOLD - SOLD - Border Patrol SE SPDIF (COAX input) R2R DAC - SOLD

Listing ID: 8250 Views: 795
900.00 USD
Condition
Excellent/Like new
Negotiability
Or best offer
Ships to
  1. Anywhere

SOLD - SOLD - For sale is my Border Patrol SE SPDIF (COAX input) R2R DAC in perfect functional and excellent cosmetic condition with new NOS EZ80 vacuum tube (~20 hours). High quality, hand-crafted by the Border Patrol owner, and made in the USA (Maryland). I accept PayPal and US Postal Money orders, or cash if we can meet in person. I am located in the Twin Cities, Minnesota 55337 USA.​


This is a great R2R DAC chip (TDA1543) with no over-sampling (NOS) and no digital filtering fed from a very sophisticated choke input, and vacuum tube rectified power supply that will make digital files and CDs sound natural and smooth, very close to vinyl. Please refer to the photos for the physical condition, as I could not see any scratches, dents, or cosmetic issues with my DAC. I can supply more photos upon request.​

Tube “rolling” has been rewardingly addictive; I was able to tailor the sonic signature by trying additional New Old Stock tubes, which I purchased online and in person. I am only including the new NOS EZ80 vacuum tube with ~20 hours on it. I the installed tube sounds great as-is; I would suggest you try other EZ80 and compatible 6V4 tubes in this DAC as they do change the sound characteristics.

This DAC can also be used with vacuum tube “off” in the circuit if desired - depends on taste and type of music. The only time I enjoyed turning off the tube was with my Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum headphone amplifier and a few audio tracks, which seemed overly lush. 99.9% of the time the tube sounds better, but it is fun to experiment and have this option.

There are many glowing reviews on this DAC and other “new” entry level R2R DACs. I was my second R2R DAC, and I like it better than the first (popular brand and all solid-state design), as the Border Patrol SE has a sweet, natural, open and organic sound and soundstage – these characteristics were the design goals for the Border Patrol SE DAC. Too many digital audio products sound processed, unnatural and un-involving and this is particularly true of many of the new generation of hi-resolution delta-sigma DAC’s.

You’ll enjoy listening pleasure for hours without “digital” fatigue. I have thoroughly enjoyed it since the COVID-19 lockdown.

I never used the stock power cord, as I have 10+ aftermarket power cords and enjoyed listening to the changes in the sound by swapping out different power cords. I settled on a “silver” power cord from TG Audio, which highlighted the detail and 3D-soundstaging characteristics of this DAC. I am only including the stock power cord, as the aftermarket power cords are dear to me.

Border Patrol recommends to keep the DAC “powered on” 24/7 and just turn the tube on and off for listening sessions—this button on the front of the DAC powers the vacuum tube on and off. I only left the DAC powered “on” and the vacuum tube powered “off” on weekends, or when I could enjoy the DAC on multiple days/evenings in a row.

Many Border Patrol SE owners have said this is the first DAC that they can listen to for long periods without irritation or fatigue and that lets them emotionally connect to digital music for the first time.

Several vinyl diehards are now happily streaming and playing CD’s after previously giving up on digital audio.


I am selling this SE DAC because I have brought home my “work” headphone audio system, which is another Border Patrol SE DAC that I purchased from the estate of a dear friend (it is not in good cosmetic condition).

This SE unit is upgradable to the SEi version for $295, including return shipping from Border Patrol in Maryland USA. The “SEi” upgrade replaces the high quality “Musicap” capacitors with the Ultra Hi-End Jupiter beeswax cryogenically treated capacitors. After I sell this SE unit, I will consider upgrading my second unit to the SEi model, as I enjoy “changing” my music system.

If you buy this SE, please enjoy it “as-is” and then if you like natural sounding “NOS” digital audio, consider upgrading it to the current SEi version and enjoy the transformation process, tube-rolling, and aftermarket power cords too!

The SE DAC features:​

​

A non-oversampling (NOS), no digital filtering Phillips TDA1543 R2R DAC chip circuit with no output buffering.​

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Plays files up to 24/96kHz via SPDIF(COAX) including TIDAL Master recordings.​

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A painted copper metal chassis, which helps keep external (Wi-Fi, 2.4GHz, 5G, etc.) electronic/microwave noise out of the DAC.​

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A tube/solid state hybrid choke input filter power supply featuring a vacuum tube rectifier. Border Patrol is the only company applying tube rectification and choke input filtering to digital circuits.​

​

Dimensions: W x D x H: 9 x 7x 3 inches (226 x 173 x 78mm)​

​

Shipping Weight: 8lb/4kg (it is solid and well built in the USA)​

​

Includes: Border Patrol SE DAC, Original box and packaging, original (“stock” OEM ) power cord, and manual are included.​

​

PLEASE NOTE: No extra tubes nor aftermarket power cords are included.​

This DAC is resolving and benefits from minor changes. I recommend you have fun trying different tubes and power cords to best match your system.

Single Adult owner, no smoke, no funky smells, no pet, no children exposure—although I enjoy my friends' kids and pets, I don’t have any in my home.
Listed by: kaufman2018 (1)
Listed: 2021-07-24
Last edited: 2021-07-26
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kaufman2018

kaufman2018

New Head-Fier
axsnyder said:
Your write-up is amazing. Descriptions in the photos too! I’m now researching this DAC.
Click to expand...
Thank you AxSnyder for the feedback and compliments.
I wanted to take the photos last night, but I prefer natural lighting so I waited until 10am this morning when the sunlight can diffuse thru my semi-transparent curtains.
I printed out the descriptions because I am more of a "look at the pretty pictures" type person.
I hope more people will read the printed out descriptions in my photos, especially if my copy seems to be too much.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the DAC that come up in your research.
 
Nostoi

Nostoi

Headphoneus Supremus
I also want to note your excellent description and photos; if only all listings were as thoughtful and comprehensive as yours!

And indeed, lovely looking DAC, which has been on my radar for a while.
 
kaufman2018

kaufman2018

New Head-Fier
Nostoi said:
I also want to note your excellent description and photos; if only all listings were as thoughtful and comprehensive as yours!

And indeed, lovely looking DAC, which has been on my radar for a while.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Nostoi, for the feedback and compliments. I agree with you--I wish all the equipment listings included multiple "good lighting" and various angles of photos, and detailed descriptions (with some history, sonic impressions and why they are selling the unit), so the potential buyer doesn't have to ask for additional photos, to prevent disappointment in an issue(s) when the unit arrives...


By the way, my Border Patrol SE DAC is currently connected to my modified Oppo 103 universal player (as a CD transport and media streamer) and then to my Benchmark DAC3 HGC, which I currently use as my headphone amplifier. "The Upgrade Company" performed their SE Upgrade and RFI EMI Riddance Technology Upgrade. I prefer using my SE DAC over the modified Oppo 103 analog outputs, because the Border Patrol SE DAC sounds more natural and life-like, with a more of a 3D soundstage with realistic imaging. I streamed Tidal for "free for a month" and enjoyed the diversity of new audio tracks and artists.

The upgrades on the Oppo 103 (versus stock Oppo 103) were substantial in the video and audio domains. The upgraded Oppo’s audio sounded much fuller and full-range--the bass-control was improved and the tonality improved across the audio spectrum. I did not have the SE DAC prior to upgrading my Oppo 103, so I cannot tell if the digital output improved on the Oppo 103 with the upgrade.

I have connected my Parasound CDP 1000 player's output to my Border Patrol SE DAC, as well as my Oppo DV 980H DVD player. Both players' transports worked well with my Border Patrol SE DAC, and showed significant improvements over the internal D/A converters in each of those players--again more natural sounding, less digital harshness, better bass-control, larger and more defined 3D soundstage, with instruments/singers "appearing" in distinct locations in the soundstage--my wife told me there are "ghosts" in the house playing music, as she could not perceive any sound coming from the loudspeakers with the SE DAC.

Maybe the most dramatic sound improvement was connecting my Cable/Satellite Box to my SE DAC and then to my "Mid-Fi" (~$1500 retail, two-way powered bookshelf speakers and 10" powered subwoofer) 2.1 Audio System, I could not believe how much all sonic aspects improved! I could listen to movies again and even the "streaming" audio channels that my cable/satellite subscription offers - the streaming audio was not a "high definition" source, but it sounded smooth, full and natural vs. thin (like some original 80s CDs), ear-piercing and fatiguing.

For Reference, the Benchmark DAC3 HGC is an amazing DAC, Headphone amplifier, and Stereo preamplifier in its own right, but it has a VERY different sound that is extremely detailed and “analytic” in nature. The Benchmark also projects a realistic 3D soundstage. The Benchmark does not have the tonality and "natural sound" that the Border Patrol SE DAC enjoys. The Benchmark is more of a “pass-thru” DAC that "retrieves all the digital information", and the Benchmark is a headphone amplifier and stereo preamplifier with balanced XLR and RCA inputs/outputs. The Benchmark DAC3 HGC “DAC” is a useful "tool" in certain audio systems and with specific headphones/loudspeakers. The Benchmark is an awesome headphone amplifier—especially with low impedance and high efficiency IEMs, like my Westone W80 IEMs—it is the only headphone amplifier I have tried that doesn’t have a perceivable noise-floor (static noise) when playing and “pausing” my Westone W80 IEMs, and the Benchmark can also drive higher impedance over-the-ear headphones.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
Last edited:
Nostoi

Nostoi

Headphoneus Supremus
kaufman2018 said:
Thank you, Nostoi, for the feedback and compliments. I agree with you--I wish all the equipment listings included multiple "good lighting" and various angles of photos, and detailed descriptions (with some history, sonic impressions and why they are selling the unit), so the potential buyer doesn't have to ask for additional photos, to prevent disappointment in an issue(s) when the unit arrives...


By the way, my Border Patrol SE DAC is currently connected to my modified Oppo 103 universal player (as a CD transport and media streamer) and then to my Benchmark DAC3 HGC, which I currently use as my headphone amplifier. "The Upgrade Company" performed their SE Upgrade and RFI EMI Riddance Technology Upgrade. I prefer using my SE DAC over the modified Oppo 103 analog outputs, because the Border Patrol SE DAC sounds more natural and life-like, with a more of a 3D soundstage with realistic imaging. I streamed Tidal for "free for a month" and enjoyed the diversity of new audio tracks and artists.

The upgrades on the Oppo 103 (versus stock Oppo 103) were substantial in the video and audio domains. The upgraded Oppo’s audio sounded much fuller and full-range--the bass-control was improved and the tonality improved across the audio spectrum. I did not have the SE DAC prior to upgrading my Oppo 103, so I cannot tell if the digital output improved on the Oppo 103 with the upgrade.

I have connected my Parasound CDP 1000 player's output to my Border Patrol SE DAC, as well as my Oppo DV 980H DVD player. Both players' transports worked well with my Border Patrol SE DAC, and showed significant improvements over the internal D/A converters in each of those players--again more natural sounding, less digital harshness, better bass-control, larger and more defined 3D soundstage, with instruments/singers "appearing" in distinct locations in the soundstage--my wife told me there are "ghosts" in the house playing music, as she could not perceive any sound coming from the loudspeakers with the SE DAC.

Maybe the most dramatic sound improvement was connecting my Cable/Satellite Box to my SE DAC and then to my "Mid-Fi" (~$1500 retail, two-way powered bookshelf speakers and 10" powered subwoofer) 2.1 Audio System, I could not believe how much all sonic aspects improved! I could listen to movies again and even the "streaming" audio channels that my cable/satellite subscription offers - the streaming audio was not a "high definition" source, but it sounded smooth, full and natural vs. thin (like some original 80s CDs), ear-piercing and fatiguing.

For Reference, the Benchmark DAC3 HGC is an amazing DAC, Headphone amplifier, and Stereo preamplifier in its own right, but it has a VERY different sound that is extremely detailed and “analytic” in nature. The Benchmark also projects a realistic 3D soundstage. The Benchmark does not have the tonality and "natural sound" that the Border Patrol SE DAC enjoys. The Benchmark is more of a “pass-thru” DAC that "retrieves all the digital information", and the Benchmark is a headphone amplifier and stereo preamplifier with balanced XLR and RCA inputs/outputs. The Benchmark DAC3 HGC “DAC” is a useful "tool" in certain audio systems and with specific headphones/loudspeakers. The Benchmark is an awesome headphone amplifier—especially with low impedance and high efficiency IEMs, like my Westone W80 IEMs—it is the only headphone amplifier I have tried that doesn’t have a perceivable noise-floor (static noise) when playing and “pausing” my Westone W80 IEMs, and the Benchmark can also drive higher impedance over-the-ear headphones.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Click to expand...
Thanks kindly for this detailed reply. It really does sound good. Alas, I don't think this particular unit would work in Europe because it's the 120V version, but I'm sure someone else will happily grab it.
 
kaufman2018

kaufman2018

New Head-Fier
Nostoi said:
Thanks kindly for this detailed reply. It really does sound good. Alas, I don't think this particular unit would work in Europe because it's the 120V version, but I'm sure someone else will happily grab it.
Click to expand...
SOLD - SOLD - Yes, Nosti, you are correct. I checked with Border Patrol's Owner and it does not have a "switchable" to 220-230 Volt power supply, as the DAC would have to be sent in and modified for Europe. Thank you again for the comments :)
 
Last edited:
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