Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1

General Information

Maverick Tube Magic DAC lets you “upgrade” the audio listening experience for any type of setup. Whether you currently have a computer, game console, CD player or Squeezebox, simply plug the Tube Magic D1 in to enjoy superior high end sound quality.

Upsampling your digital music
From 16bit to 24bit, from 44.1 kHz to 96 kHz, Tube Magic D1’s professional-level Audio DAC produces an extremely accurate and distortion-free digital-to-analog conversion. Your digital music files have never sounded this good before.

Carefully designed analog processing circuit
Without a good analog stage, even the best quality digital music will sound dry and lifeless. After all, music will only be played in analog format via amplifiers, speakers and headphones. We spent a great deal of time to enhance the analog circuit to make sure the analog signal will sound natural, transparent and full detail.

“Tube Magic” vacuum tube preamp outputs stage
The Tube Magic D1 comes with a vacuum tube pre-amp output stage in addition to the normal solid-state audio output. Powered by a vintage vacuum tube made in 1970’s, it adds a lot of warmth and smoothness to the music, especially to Vocal and Jazz genres. Furthermore, you can use this DAC as a full functional tube preamp, adding the “tube magic” to the two analog and three digital inputs.

A damn good Headphone Amplifier!
With up to 600 ohm impedance and 1000mW power output, this DAC has enough power to drive any headphone on the planet.

Line-in cord lets you plug in your iPod
Do you want to listen to your iPod with brilliant clarity? Simple. The Tube Magic DAC comes complete with a cord and front panel line-in jack for your iPod or other MP3 player. Just plug it in and you’re ready to rock.

High-end linear power supply
R-Core transformer is a super-regulated power circuit that purifies and enriches the digital-to-analog conversion bringing extremely pure, natural and detailed music output.

Uncompromised build quality
100% handmade with audio grade components topped off with a brushed aluminum front panel. We make sure this baby is a serious audio equipment.

It’s flexible and easy to set-up
Two digital sources (optical and coaxial) means that network music devices, media players, games consoles, CD/DVD players etc. can be connected concurrently using S/PDIF (Coaxial) or Toslink (Optical) inputs.

Two analog sources (one line-in on the front panel and one analog in on the back) means that iPods, portable music players, vintage audio equipment, or any audio device without digital outputs can be connected concurrently using the 1/4″ or RCA input.

Additionally, you can connect the Tube Magic DAC directly to your PC using a USB connection (no drivers needed) and dramatically improve the quality of your digital music.

Latest reviews

reeseg

New Head-Fier
Pros: Build, upgradeability, competitive cost
Cons: Tube stage not connected to headphone out. 24/192 ONLY support on digital out, not USB. Poor return policy, not a good match to my K701s
As a new member, I was encouraged to buy a Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1 from reading all of the positive comments on the site...but a few things caused me to return the unit.
 
FIrst, which was my own fault, on receipt of the unit, I realized that the tube output is not connected to the headphone output - the tube stage is only valid for preamp use.  I was hoping that like their other product, a product called Tube Magic would support tube output to my K701s.  It didn't.  Users expecting to use this as a dedicated headphone amp will not need the tube stage.
 
Second, I thought that the new DAC supported 24/192 thru USB.  Unfortunately, it only supports the higher rate through the dedicated digital inputs. The updated pages on their website made it look like USB did support the higher rates (like my Peachtree Audio amp).  Unfortunately,  It doesn't and is limited to 24/96 through USB. (I'm using an iMac with Audirvana and a number of tracks at 24/192.
 
So, based on the above issues, I decided to return the unit and purchase the M-stage everyone has been raving about.  This is where the problems really surfaced, and I want to make sure other forum members, who are considering the Maverick Audio unit, be very careful before you buy to understand return costs.  I assumed, like other manufacturers, that the return would be easy...it wasn't.
 
First, I had to pay Priority International shipping back to China in order to be refunded.  This was not clear in the terms and conditions on their website.  The cost to return was @$60.00 USD.  And I wasn't refunded until they received the unit back (which I understand, but for USA customers, they should have a US return depot).
 
Second, when they received the unit, they only partially refunded me, stating that I had to pay shipping charges outbound.  This was also never clarified at time of order or on their website  Another $25.00.  
 
So, be cautious and certain that this is the unit you want before you buy.  The return is costly.
 
I wish I could say more about the sound, but the Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1 (updated version) just couldn't drive my K701s at all.  The sound was weak and lifeless.

Asavage

New Head-Fier
Pros: Aesthetics, Versatility, Upgradeable, Durability, Price per Performance.
Cons: No tube for headphone jack and the tube is only usable as a preamp on the side.
I decided to purchase this after reading several reviews on this site and the product somehow surpassed my expectations. For my senn hd600s and my beyerdynamic dt 770s it sounds as good if not better than my modi magni stack all while offering down the line upgradeability and a pre tube amp all in in one package. With five input options and 3 output the versatility is also a selling point for those like myself who use various input sources. I look forward to experimenting with several different upgrades in the near future and will post the results. 
Overall I would recommend this to any of my friends looking for a beginners dac/amp solution.
cel4145
cel4145
They are nice units, aren't they? Like you say, lots of inputs and outputs for the money make them very versatile.

AudiophileA1

New Head-Fier
Pros: USB is pretty clean and detailed
Cons: CD coaxial is terrible, no iPod/iPad usb in, clunky design, no remote for volume at least, no 192 USB option
I listened really carefully to this DAC and compared it in four ways: to  the Audioengine D1 DAC, the earphone output of a NAD C 720 BEE receiver using either the DAC of the Maverick or the DAC of a NAD CD player, then the DAC of the Maverick and its own earphone output. I listened to USB from a Mac and various CD's. My final conclusion, I would not buy this DAC again or recommend it. The NAD CD DAC was superior to the Maverick, so no point for the coaxial or the l/r or the Maverick earphone out from the CD. There much better solutions that also include iPod USB inputs. I did upgrade the Opa chip, but why don't they sell it this way to begin with? It made a big difference for the usb music, but the NAD cd play was still way better. Bottom line, this DAC is simply not worth the effort. The audioengine D1 was just as good and a whole lot more convenient. Personally, I would recommend the RDAC from Arcam. It is light years better and offers iPad/iPod usb in. The price difference is well worth it. As for Ryan's assistance, yes, he was helpful (if Ryan is in fact his name, based in China), but being helped down a muddy road is really not much improvement. Honestly, I kept feeling I had been "had" with the "tube" hype. 

Comments

There are no comments to display.
Back
Top