LTA Aero Dac. Linear Tube Audio’s first-ever digital-to-analog converter, world’s first DAC using ZOTL technology. Reviews in the Thread.

[jamato8]

I'm really interested in hearing this DAC. Glad to know so many of you in the DMV area have purchased, as I hope to hear it at one of the local Head-Fi meets. Someone mentioned a listening opportunity on 6/1? Is that officially posted somewhere? Otherwise, I'll just drive up to LTA to hear it. I've already got the MZ3, so I'm already a huge fan.

Audio Note UK used the 1865 dac chip in their 50,000 dollar dac. The AD1865 with the Zotl output would have to be so very fine!

 

[jamato8]

Here is a nice internal shot of the Aero DAC. Very nice layout! You have the Zotl amp section on the left and you can use 12SN7 or 6SN7 tubes.

 

[SolarCetacean]

I demoed the Aero on Friday at LTA HQ and I was quite surprised by its performance. I had thought the Aero would be warmer and smoother and possibly lack some detail vs the standard D/S DAC, but I was wrong on all of those fronts. I compared against the Ferrum Erco Gen 2 and I found no lack of detail, no oversmoothing, and no excessive thickness or warmth to the sound. In fact, in some songs there was more treble energy on the Aero than the Erco (the Erco uses a digital oversampling filter created by the developer of HQPlayer, so it's like HQPlayer in a box). There seemed to be a slight hint more body to percussion notes and a more "raw" sound to vocals and brass instruments. In some cases, particularly with acoustic or orchestral tracks, it made instruments sound a bit more lifelike than on the Erco Gen 2. The midrange was pushed slightly forward in space (closer to me), but not at the cost of instrument layering which can happen on other forward-sounding DACs.

I'm very intrigued. I was afraid I might not like a DAC that's warm and smooth at the cost of detail, but fortunately the Aero is not that sort of DAC at all. Now I'm wondering if I want a brighter, raw-sounding DAC and how well that would synergize with my headphones. And also how much I will enjoy tube-rolling. HQPlayer won't be a viable option for use with the Aero due to it only supporting PCM up to 192 KHz, so HQP can't really show off what it's capable of, but the Aero would open the door to tube rolling which could be an exciting new area to play around in.

I made a more detailed series of comments on my impressions in the other thread on the Aero: here and here

 

[jamato8]

Listening to the Aero as it burns in.

It is like the Aero breathes music. It is an amazing musical instrument.

 

[obstacleofaffliction]

This dac is like pineapple on pizza.
Some will love it while others will not.
I read on another thread someone questioning why anyone would ever want a tube dac because it colors the sound. Well, I totally get why and I don't think I will be returning back to "clean" dacs.
Tube rolling is addictive with amps alone but ever more so now with the Aero. The tubes make the sound customizable. With each roll of tubes, it's like a different dac. The synergy and tube rolling possibilities with my MZ3 are mind boggling even with my small tube collection.
Also, the Ferrum Hypsos Oor has never sounded more fun.

Pineapple on my pizza for now on.

 

[jamato8]

This dac is like pineapple on pizza.
Some will love it while others will not.
I read on another thread someone questioning why anyone would ever want a tube dac because it colors the sound. Well, I totally get why and I don't think I will be returning back to "clean" dacs.
Tube rolling is addictive with amps alone but ever more so now with the Aero. The tubes make the sound customizable. With each roll of tubes, it's like a different dac. The synergy and tube rolling possibilities with my MZ3 are mind boggling even with my small tube collection.
Also, the Ferrum Hypsos Oor has never sounded more fun.

Pineapple on my pizza for now on.

Yes, the tube will affect the sound but one BIG thing they miss is, this is not a regular tube system.This is a Zotl section, which is extremely linear and far different in design and implementation that other tube circuits. To not realize or comprehend this is very misguided and a misunderstanding of what you are getting.

 

[obstacleofaffliction]

Yes, the tube will affect the sound but one BIG thing they miss is, this is not a regular tube system.They is a Zotl section, which is extremely linear and far different in design and implementation that other tube circuits. To not realize or comprehend this is very misguided and a misunderstanding of what you are getting.

Absolutely, the harmonics introduced by the tubes are surgically precise.
It took a couple of weeks for my mind to fully grasp what I'm hearing.
It's wonderful!
The Aero is a treasure waiting to be discovered by more.

 

[obstacleofaffliction]

I hope more people discover and appreciate the Aero.

 

[scottm18]

I had a chance to talk with Nicholas Tolson. He recommends keeping the DAC turned on continuously for best sound.

This is usually the best scenario for most equipment...but with tubes leaving them on all the time will of course run them down in a hurry. As with the MW Analog Bridge, tube equipment without a remote spells trouble and/or inconvenience to turn it off each time. These tubes are supposedly "low energy" but even at 10,000 hour expectancy, that's only about a year and a half of being left on all the time.

Since I moved to a solid state preamp (although a great one) I miss my previous tube version and would like to get some of that flavor back. Did he get more specific about how to overcome that caveat?

Sure you can get one of those remote control power switches, but I don't know about running those on audiophile audio equipment...

I'm in a bit of a quandary what to do because I currently have an Oppo 205, and I know I can do better than it's 7-year-old Sabre DAC implementation for two channel (obviously I need to keep it for multi-channel). Even my streamer (Bryston) is pretty high quality so I just can't get some cheapy Far East DAC like a Topping or SMSL as a "replacement" for this rather resolving equipment...

 

[obstacleofaffliction]

I had a chance to talk with Nicholas Tolson. He recommends keeping the DAC turned on continuously for best sound.

This is usually the best scenario for most equipment...but with tubes leaving them on all the time will of course run them down in a hurry. As with the MW Analog Bridge, tube equipment without a remote spells trouble and/or inconvenience to turn it off each time. These tubes are supposedly "low energy" but even at 10,000 hour expectancy, that's only about a year and a half of being left on all the time.

Since I moved to a solid state preamp (although a great one) I miss my previous tube version and would like to get some of that flavor back. Did he get more specific about how to overcome that caveat?

Sure you can get one of those remote control power switches, but I don't know about running those on audiophile audio equipment...

I'm in a bit of a quandary what to do because I currently have an Oppo 205, and I know I can do better than it's 7-year-old Sabre DAC implementation for two channel (obviously I need to keep it for multi-channel). Even my streamer (Bryston) is pretty high quality so I just can't get some cheapy Far East DAC like a Topping or SMSL as a "replacement" for this rather resolving equipment...

The Aero has two power switches. The main switch in the back that is meant to keep on all the time. Then there's the front power switch which engages or disengages power to the tubes for listening sessions. It only takes a couple minutes to warm up. I don't keep the tubes powered other than for listening sessions.

 

[JacobLTA]

Check out this review of the Aero by Terry London for Stereo Times. In short... he loves it!

In all types of genres of music (classical, jazz, rock, hip-hop, and blues), the LTA Aero DAC produced the following musical virtues.

1. It floated a vast, deep, wide, and high soundstage with very accurate instrument location on that soundstage. Yes, this was recording, depending on whether it was a studio or live classical symphonic performance recorded in a vast hall. Either way, with great precision, the Aero DAC created spatial dimensions rivaling the best DACs I have ever had in my system.
2. As my readers know, I’m a timbres and tonality listener first; if a piece of gear gets this wrong (washed out – lack of correct intensity of colors – too bright or light up), it does not matter if other sonic characteristics are in place. The Aero DAC renders a voluptuous natural tonality, ease, and liquidity, drawing you into the music. This is mainly because of the AD1865 chip, the ZOTL/tube-based analog conversion section, and the unbelievably robust power supply.
3. The Aero DAC retains what the ZOTL strategy does in the rest of Linear Tube Audio’s equipment. Blazing fast transients, extended accurate bass reproduction, and a sense of PRAT (pace-rhythm-and timing) that makes it difficult not to tap your toes to the music.
4. This tube-based DAC has a vanishing low-noise floor that creates a very high level of clarity/transparency. This allows minuscule details of decay trails to be easily heard without being etched or sounding analytical.
5. The LTA Aero DAC has an octave-to-octave seamlessness and an overall “ease” and “wholeness” that many listeners will experience as analog in nature.

 

[LegionofDoom]

Fresh review on Stereophile. While the measured performance is not class leading and described as “paradoxical”, the subjective elements of the review are positive and competitive with other well liked pricey DACs. RCA and XLR outputs have very differented measured distortion performance, which LTA does state clearly in their literature.

My take on the review was mainly one of flavor and nuance and I probably need to hear what consequences “extreme clarity” and “less weight” may have for my treble sensitivity.

 

[obstacleofaffliction]

Fresh review on Stereophile. While the measured performance is not class leading and described as “paradoxical”, the subjective elements of the review are positive and competitive with other well liked pricey DACs. RCA and XLR outputs have very differented measured distortion performance, which LTA does state clearly in their literature.

My take on the review was mainly one of flavor and nuance and I probably need to hear what consequences “extreme clarity” and “less weight” may have for my treble sensitivity.

One thing to take in consideration is tube rolling which has a definite influence on the sound.
My unit came stock with NOS GE 12sn7gta coin base tubes. To my ears, their sound is upper mids and treble focused leading to "extreme clarity" and resolution. Perhaps these are the same tubes used in the review. I am also treble sensitive but these tubes did not fatigue my ears. Bass is there just tight and controlled. Overall the sound is more analytical and great for critical listening.
Then I began tube rolling. Currently enjoying Sylvania Baldwin 6sn7gtb tubes which are mid focused and balanced. Also enjoy National Union 12SN7GT black glass tubes which have slightly smaller stage but enhanced imaging. Each of these make the sound less analytical and more fun to me.
So, you are able to customize the sound with tubes of your choice and have fun rolling.

 

[LegionofDoom]

One thing to take in consideration is tube rolling which has a definite influence on the sound.
My unit came stock with NOS GE 12sn7gta coin base tubes. To my ears, their sound is upper mids and treble focused leading to "extreme clarity" and resolution. Perhaps these are the same tubes used in the review. I am also treble sensitive but these tubes did not fatigue my ears. Bass is there just tight and controlled. Overall the sound is more analytical and great for critical listening.
Then I began tube rolling. Currently enjoying Sylvania Baldwin 6sn7gtb tubes which are mid focused and balanced. Also enjoy National Union 12SN7GT black glass tubes which have slightly smaller stage but enhanced imaging. Each of these make the sound less analytical and more fun to me.
So, you are able to customize the sound with tubes of your choice and have fun rolling.

I'm glad to hear that you feel tube rolling noticeably affects the listening experience. I have a fairly extensive collection of 6SN7 variants including a pair of Foton's which tend to show their strength in the low end frequency range. I think Stereophile missed an opportunity to roll some tubes and report the experience. I get the review needs to focus on "stock" but it was still a miss not to explore the flexibility to the component design.

 

[jamato8]

Stereophile used to always roll a few tubes and it would have been nice to hear their experience with this. And so easy on the Aero. Maybe they didn't feel a need to but it is extremely well known, that you roll tubes to get a good match up and if you don't, well, you will not know what a tube device is capable.

I have some Japanese Hitachi 12SN7 black plate tubes and the Aero sounds excellent with them. Excellent width and height, layering and bass impact that is all made of bass notes that are decreeable. A real quality sound. I have some GE made in Canada that are 3 hole just like the Sylvania of 1952, 53 and would bet it is the same tooling as everything looks like the "bad boy" tubes. Sound, much the same as the Sylvania. I like the Hitachi a little better. A little more mid focused and nice sweet highs. There are differences and that is something a good reviewer looks into, to have a piece of tube equipment mesh with the rest of the gear.

It is fun and worthwhile to try a few different tubes with the Aero.