[rjbell]

The u12 looks great. Is there any chinese amps you guys would recommend similar in price that are also punching well above there weight? To run some bookshelf speakers ( sorry I know its a headphone forum)

 

[rb2013]

The u12 looks great. Is there any chinese amps you guys would recommend similar in price that are also punching well above there weight? To run some bookshelf speakers ( sorry I know its a headphone forum)

I have two of these - the older version with the 6922 that I have modded.  They are really amazing even stock.  Class A to 30 watts.  Then switching to class A/B.  Mine have been recapped with totl Mundorf Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil caps and the best vintage 6922 HG tubes.  Simply outstanding - better then the $25000 CJ ACT2/Response Hurricane combo I had before.
 
http://www.cattylink.com/purer33se.html
 
They make a smaller amp as well - that APL mods and sells for $5K.
http://www.cattylink.com/bda222t.html

 

[rjbell]

 
I have two of these - the older version with the 6922 that I have modded.  They are really amazing even stock.  Class A to 30 watts.  Then switching to class A/B.  Mine have been recapped with totl Mundorf Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil caps and the best vintage 6922 HG tubes.  Simply outstanding - better then the $25000 CJ ACT2/Response Hurricane combo I had before.
 
http://www.cattylink.com/purer33se.html
 
They make a smaller amp as well - that APL mods and sells for $5K.
http://www.cattylink.com/bda222t.html

Thank you but i was thinking something  prices like the u12.

 

[prot]

Thank you but i was thinking something  prices like the u12.

There are hundreds of them on ebay, e.g. check this pretty good looking one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nobsound-MS-10D-MKII-tube-amplifier-with-Bluetooth-USB-headphone-HIFI-110-240V-/281416468274 ... how good does it sound is anyone's guess but I doubt you need more for just a pair of bookshelves. That shop has a lot more affordable amps, both tubes and solid state ... also try the shenzenaudio store.

 

[rjbell]

People in the thread mention what amazing value this dac is. Can someone put it into contexts comparing it to other dacs on the market from the big international players, and where it would sit on cost if this was released from one of them? For example one of the large Japanese brands Sony/Denon/Pioneer/Marantz if this was one of there dacs what would be the price tag do you think?

 

[abartels]

  People in the thread mention what amazing value this dac is. Can someone put it into contexts comparing it to other dacs on the market from the big international players, and where it would sit on cost if this was released from one of them? For example one of the large Japanese brands Sony/Denon/Pioneer/Marantz if this was one of there dacs what would be the price tag do you think?

 
U12 is a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter) it's NOT a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter)

 

[rjbell]

   
U12 is a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter) it's NOT a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter)

Thank you i didn't realise this.

 

[abartels]

 
Thank you i didn't realise this.

 
you're welcome 

 

[abartels]

Btw,
 
I finished modding MX-U8 :
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/767935/melodious-xm-u8-usb-interface-8-core-xmos-chip/60#post_11721770
 
 
Have to wait till Friday for final listening impressions 

 
 
 
Cheers    

 
 
Alex

 

[DACLadder]

 
I have two of these - the older version with the 6922 that I have modded.  They are really amazing even stock.  Class A to 30 watts.  Then switching to class A/B.  Mine have been recapped with totl Mundorf Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil caps and the best vintage 6922 HG tubes.  Simply outstanding - better then the $25000 CJ ACT2/Response Hurricane combo I had before.
 
http://www.cattylink.com/purer33se.html
 
They make a smaller amp as well - that APL mods and sells for $5K.
http://www.cattylink.com/bda222t.html

Interesting amplifiers...   How does the newer version with Sanken output transistors compare to the older version?   Did you special order a 120V version by chance? 

 

[rb2013]

 
Interesting amplifiers...   How does the newer version with Sanken output transistors compare to the older version?   Did you special order a 120V version by chance? 

There have been four versions made in the last few years - I have two with the Toshiba outputs and 6922 tube pre.  Amazing amps!  These were the original version -then there was a version with the Hitachi's and 6922's, then the Sanken's with the  6922, lastly they went to a four 12au7 tube pre (similar to the 222) and the Sanken's.  I have not heard the either the old or the new Sanken version.  One I have is the 120Watt version from Cattylink and the other 115Watt from Pacific Valve and Elec - they sound the same to me.
 
All these have the option of running in class 'A' until 10 watts or 30 watts, then bias over to A/B until 145 watts.  I put them on my watt meter and the power consumption jumps noticeable with the switch to 30 watts.  Sound is sweeter as well.  But runs hotter - in very hot weather I use the lower setting.  Very convenient.  Built like a tank at almost 50lbs - dual massive toroidal transformers for the outputs - separate R-core of the pre-amp section.  Ridiculous price for the sound quality.
 
I run totl 6922's which really improves the sound - and have recapped them in Mundorf Supreme and Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil caps this made a major leap forward in SQ, but was expensive.
 
Stock with upgraded tubes.

 
With upgraded caps:

 
FYI:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aplhifi/uas1.html

 

[auvgeek]

   
U12 is a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter) it's NOT a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter)

I thought it stood for Digital Down Converter...?

 

[rjbell]

you're welcome :wink_face:

still a bit confused though. All the eBay and amazon listings call it a DAC.
So what would be the next stage from this box to the analogue conversion? Just a standard DAC?

 

[auvgeek]

still a bit confused though. All the eBay and amazon listings call it a DAC. So what would be the next stage from this box to the analogue conversion?

An actual DAC (Digital to Analogue converter). For instance, Gustard sells the X12. The U12 just converts digital to digital, namely USB to AES, I2S, etc. It very useful for those of us running computer audio and either a) don't have a DAC that accepts USB input or b) find the U12 provides superior sound quality than the DAC's integrated USB converter.

 

[DACLadder]

still a bit confused though. All the eBay and amazon listings call it a DAC.
So what would be the next stage from this box to the analogue conversion? Just a standard DAC?

Amazon has it as "GUSTARD U12 32Bit / 384KHz DSD XMOS USB Digital Audio Interface".  You connect its S/PDIF, AES, or I2S outputs to a DAC.