astrostar59
BannedMember of the Trade: Aries Cerat Espana, Auriculares High-EndAKA Headstage, headphoneweekend
I must admit.. The absolutely best DAC I've ever heard was the Audio Note 5 Signature.
I wanted to have a DAC with a tube output stage to bring me as close to the 5 signature as possible. So I went out looking for those kinds of DACS. I heard the Lampi L4 G4 the AMR DP-777 and an Audio Note 4.1 kit DAC built by "Digital Pete" To me the AMR bested the others. I was really close to getting a Audio note kit DAC made from "Digital Pete" but the AMR beat in a few areas that I noticed.
I wish I had the La Scala MKII there at the time as well. I have since sold the AMR DP-777 and said I was done with tubes in DACs. However, I might be getting the La Scala MKII for a home demo after all, and the AMR DP-777 SE is getting a few pretty good reviews. I also wondered about a higher end Lampi DAC, but they can get pretty pricey.
I would like to through the Pavane in the mix, as I've had my eyes on this DAC for a while now. So keep those impressions and comparisons coming..
Hi preproman
Going back to your DAC 4.1 kit, did you use a good USB to SPDIF convertor with it? The supped Hag USB back then was terrible, ruined the sound. Mine jumped hugely with a strong SPDIF convertor as the input. Also the caps in the DAC affect the final signature. The earlier ones used Audio Note copper caps, but I found I preferred V-Cap Teflons, they disappear and the dynamics and detail are better. Also the tubes, the it comes with real cheap Sovtecs. Tungsol 5687s make it sing.