Aune T1 USB Tube DAC+ SS Amp Discussion Thread ***See first post for FAQ--Updated on 02/14/15***

[dcfis]

There is excellent reason to keep the t1 and that is the tube buffer. All tube in everything its what I say

 

[negura]

Quote:

Well guys, I am at a crossroads here. I picked up a Schiit Lyr today for a really good price and well .... I guess I could go two ways now. On the one hand, I could keep the T1 and use it as a DAC going forward, or I could pick up a separate DAC (ODAC comes to mind). The Lyr is exciting because I already have matched Amperex 7308s for it, with Telefunken 6922/ECC88s on the way. If I move the 7308s over to the Lyr though, I am thinking I really don't want to have tubes in the DAC and amp stages, the coloration will probably be off and I really don't want to buy another 7308 to have all three tubes the same (or do I? Maybe there's a case for it?).

Anyway, I wanted to get your opinions here. Keep the T1 or buy a different DAC and put the T1 up for sale? What do you guys think?

EDIT: Bought the ODAC, will try both and keep the one that works best with this setup. Would anyone want to buy the T1 if I put it up for sale? I'll throw in a rocket logo 6N23P, 6N11 & 6922EH --- all together w/ shipping in the continental US for $200 (I'll even cover paypal).

 
Congrats on the Lyr - it's a great amp within its range.
I was at a similar crossroads and decided to skip the Lyr if making a new investement and take it another level up. I think it's more effective and a better return than otherwise.  Also I consider that between its DAC and amp traits the T1 is better as a DAC + the fun/advantages of tube rolling. For now I still use the Aune T1 as a DAC, but I will go straight for something higher up the chain, like the V800 next.
 
I guess it also depends on your existing and near/mid future headphones and what synergy you're getting for them with your equipment.
 
 

 

[negura]

Duplicated.

 

[toschek]

Quote:

 
Congrats on the Lyr - it's a great amp within its range.
I was at a similar crossroads and decided to skip the Lyr if making a new investement and take it another level up. I think it's more effective and a better return than otherwise.  Also I consider that between its DAC and amp traits the T1 is better as a DAC + the fun/advantages of tube rolling. For now I still use the Aune T1 as a DAC, but I will go straight for something higher up the chain, like the V800 next.
 
I guess it also depends on your existing and near/mid future headphones and what synergy you're getting for them with your new amp.

 
The deal I got on the Lyr was INSANE.  I'm quite pleased with my purchase.   It'll last me forever basically, if I ever go Ortho it'll be there, it'll work great with my current headphones and the HD 700s I have on the way.   I've heard excellent things about the ODAC as well, it compares favorably to the Bifrost which costs about $300 more for a USB version too.   I am pretty sure I'm going to have to let the T1 go, but it'll find a good home I'm sure.
 
Tubes all the way is fun, but I don't want to buy another Amperex 7308 right now & I definitely don't want to splash out on more Tele 6922s at the moment.   Any future money to this is going into headphones or source components (maybe a nicer phono pre-amp).   I think an exceptionally clean solid state preamp  running to the Lyr will be a winning combo & I can finally plug my turntable through the pre-amp into the amp and skip the current hop through a USB mixer (which I am pretty sure is degrading the sound, I can hear audible artifacts).

 

[negura]

Using your Aune T1 as a DAC, how much improvement are you hearing with the Lyr and how would you describe it?
 
I think this may help people reading this thread when they get on the fence of upgrading as I suspect many will eventually reach that point.

 

[toschek]

Dunno yet, Lyr won't be here for a few days.   I will let everyone know though.   Maybe it will rule?  Who knows.   I'm going to put both the 7308s I have into the Lyr and use one of my ECC88 Bugle Boys and also one of my Telefunken 6922s to run the T1 when I try it, that will be as close as I can get without buying another 7308.

 

[toschek]

BTW, Telefunken 6922s came in today.   OMG, this thing shames the Amperex 7308.   I can even hear the singer's breathing.   And the soundstage is even more 3D than the 7308 was.   These are damn expensive but worth every penny I say.

 

[Salvatore]

Hey when you got your amperex from upscaleaudio did you get to choose the label (white, green or yellow logo)? Btw just ordered gold lion and placed bids on few other tubes as well.

 

[dcfis]

White for gods sake!

 

[dcfis]

I've never run across anything to sham an amperex. Not even the pinched waist tubes. I sold all my teles because I didn't prefer them in a different application. Wouldn't mind trying again

 

[toschek]

No, I did not ... on the other hand I didn't ask either.   I have a green and white, but they are matched electrically according to the guy there, and I believe him.  I spent some time switching between the white and green and after a long time I determined there's no difference in the sound.   I had my wife listen too, she's got much better hearing than I do and she agrees as well.
 
You can probably call or email them and ask for a specific label, they are very nice people.
 
I need to get my expense check back so I can buy more Telefunken ... WOW.   The sound sounds like it is coming from behind me, like a complete surround system.

 

[toschek]

Maybe I am just receptive to a change, I'm not sure.   These are beautiful though.   Really great soundstage, seems wider than the 7308.

 

[Salvatore]

I don't mind the logo, just remember you saying the white JAN logo to sound better. Are you saying to go for the tele before amperex? Just put couple of tele auctions on ebay wish list.
 
Fully enjoying rocket atm. Man this is sweet sounding tube. Lush and addictive sound with nice instrumental separation totally compensates the diminished sound stage. Somebody said the rocket to have muddy bass... have to disagree.

 

[CoiL]

Tele vs. amperex is imo the matter of taste. Amperex are generally warmer sounding and teles are more neutral ones. I also remeber toschek say that white logo sounds better, so how is it at the end? Pseudo-effect? 
 
Like I told earlier, I don`t have rockets but reflector should be quite same. For me, compared to amperex, it is somewhat "muddy", actually not the bass but the whole sound is like listening through somekind "blanket" and its narrow and very foward sounding. With amperex intimacy stays but everything gets so clear & detail, added depth, air & room response, wider soundstage in every direction and you can hear every breath singer takes & emotion he/she puts in the voice. But it all depends also about music style and personal taste.

 

[toschek]

The 6H23P-EB has muddyish bass, the 6N23P (rocket) doesn't if I remember correctly.
 
If you're happy with the rocket, there's no reason to get one of these other tubes.   They do have better soundstage/imaging, and tighter dynamics but the premium is really steep.   The rocket's soundstage feels a little cramped after going back to it from one of these others, but that is kind of it's charm too; I don't think you'd get that intimacy with it if the soundstage was bigger.
 
Both of the JAN tubes I have, white and green, sound exactly the same.  I thought they were different at first, but I think I was getting some interference somewhere. I don't think the label color really matters at all except if you have OCD.