Scott Nixon to release USB TubeDAC

[blessingx]

Received an email yesterday from Scott and thought I'd pass along the news since USB DACs seem to be getting a lot of play in this forum recently. Seems it will be shipping in a few days.

>> Also I see you're working on a USB/TubeDac. Is there a rough time
>> frame this may be released?

>I start shipping the first run end of next week. It basically looks the same
>as the TubeDac+ and is the same price for time being.
>It is USB only input though.

Site (no USB Dac info yet): http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm
6moons review (that made me take the plunge): http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nixon/tubedac.html

It took a couple weeks to write back (probably busy getting this ready) so I purchased a non-USB version TubeDAC+ used off Audiogon just a couple days before hearing the news (not sure which way I would have gone if I heard earlier - perfer USB connection however would like Airport Express, etc. option - I have optional coax/toslink input), but curious how this will go over here with the computer folks. Certainly warm over those lossy artifacts.

Working late last few days so haven't fully explored, but immediately love what mine does especially to vocals and strings. Will say it's been awhile since a piece of audio equipment exceeded my expectations, but so far this has stayed clearly on the other side of that line. Will wait for more time to make grander claims, but so far so very good.

 

[Covenant]

Damn, more muddying of the waters

I'm still looking for concrete reviews of the Cosecant, trying to work out a synergistic balance with amp and headphones, and along comes Scotty.

TO ALL YE RICH HEAD-FI'ERS: Buy a Cosecant, buy a USB TubeDAC+, and buy an MPX3, and do comparisons for me using lots of different headphones. Please?

 

[seefeel]

Any new info on this USB TubeDAC?

 

[Jahn]

very cool, i'm a big fan of the tubedac!

 

[blessingx]

I've been wondering as the site hasn't changed. Haven't heard anything since.

I just wrote him. I'll let you know what I hear back.

 

[blessingx]

Received a response today. No comment about the delay, but...

Should be shipping a USB version of the TubeDac - USBTD - the second week of October. This first version will share the ABS enclosure of the exisiting TubeDac and have the same pricing, $475. By years end I will have a new chassis for the USB version and price will go up to ~$750.

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx Received a response today. No comment about the delay, but... Should be shipping a USB version of the TubeDac - USBTD - the second week of October. This first version will share the ABS enclosure of the exisiting TubeDac and have the same pricing, $475. By years end I will have a new chassis for the USB version and price will go up to ~$750.

Would the new chassis contain the same components? $275 seems alot for just an enclosure...

 

[seefeel]

I wonder if it's asynchronous usb direct to the dac without any conversion. And what about the driver bypassing windows usb and audio? Those details are make or breaks for me.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit Would the new chassis contain the same components? $275 seems alot for just an enclosure...

Not sure, but I read it as enclosure only. We'll see, but there are certainly third party enclosures already available on his site that jumps the price similarly. I have the silver diecast enclosure (last photo) for instance.

I have no details seefeel. We should know soon though. I'm likely keeping my modified TubeDAC+ (switching to toslink input with Airport Express), but I'm still expecting greating things from this USB version.

 

[rickcr42]

Quote:

It took a couple weeks to write back (probably busy getting this ready) so I purchased a non-USB version TubeDAC+ used off Audiogon just a couple days before hearing the news (not sure which way I would have gone if I heard earlier - perfer USB connection however would like Airport Express, etc. option - I have optional coax/toslink input), but curious how this will go over here with the computer folks. Certainly warm over those lossy artifacts.

My take on USB DACs in particular is they are the future and the computer will be the central music server at some point.The focal point of the sound system and not a thing that can be avoided I think.

It is also my opinion vacuum tubes are not for "warming" anything,that would be artificial and colored but are in fact a superior method of reproducing sound accuratery.Not exclusive to the vaccum tube but the potential is there for deadly accurate and a better image so why design "color" intentionally in ?

Just my opinion but it seems most beleive tube gear is to make the bad sound good with accuracy being totally the domain of solid state gear and that is not even close to the truth.Both can be colored and either can be uncolored so the choice comes down to other areas such as impedance,drive and cable length,system integration,etc.

YMMV of course and probably will

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx Not sure, but I read it as enclosure only. We'll see, but there are certainly third party enclosures already available on his site that jumps the price similarly. I have the silver diecast enclosure (last photo) for instance. I have no details seefeel. We should know soon though. I'm likely keeping my modified TubeDAC+ (switching to toslink input with Airport Express), but I'm still expecting greating things from this USB version.

blessingx, you may need to change your pic, or I might think you are a Bon Jovi fan.

Have a nice day.

 

[Nisbeth]

I hope Scott changes his mind about selling blank PCBs for the TubeDac and the TD-USB. I know I'd buy a handful the second they became available

/U.