I have had the iTUBE for some time now. It is entirely possible that the
Optimal Transient filters on the Audiolab 8200CDQ already reduce ringing to a sufficient degree that the anti-dote has little left to do.
Reading the reviews about the iTUBE, one might easily conclude that the presence of the tube somehow makes the sound more special or more musical or less grainy or less fatiguing or some other typical audiophile description of tubeyness but this was not my experience (and I did try hard to discern some difference).
Maybe the T1 just isn't detailed enough or doesn't have a good enough treble response to show these differences. Certainly the Zu Druid MkIV's that I used to own were more transparent and more detailed than the T1. Maybe those using planar headphones or electrostatics will hear a difference.
For me the iTUBE was a waste of money as I don't really need the extra functions and it does nothing to the sound that I can hear. It reminded me to always treat reviews on the internet with caution. I could say the same about the micro iDAC. For me it was nowhere near as wonderful as the reviews all claim and did not in any way raise the bar at its price point.
The micro iDSD is a very different story. Given the choice between this and a second hand Audiolab M-DAC, my money is currently erring towards the micro iDSD being the better buy. As always though, use your own ears to decide.
