[Jonathan66100]

  Meant to post this a while back.  I ended up finding a Stax DAC-X2t.  As far as I can tell it's the exact same thing as a DAC-X1t.  I've always been very happy with my Accuphase DP-75, but the X1t is one of the only DACs I told myself I'd try to hunt down and own one day.  It really sounds amazing.  I think this thing went for something like $20k new back in 1989.  It uses 12AX7 tubes on the input and two Ultra Analog D20400 DAC chips.  Weighs about 65 lbs.  Took me years to get my hands on one but well worth the wait

 

Congratulation for your X2T : P 
I wish you good listening : )

 

[n3rdling]

Thanks   I was a little worried about it having tubes as a lot of tube DACs I've heard sound too smooth to me, but this is probably the best sounding DAC I've heard.

 

[Jonathan66100]

This is one reason why I want to try it ( the tubes)
( I prefer the tubes amps at the transistor for example )
I believe also the design is symmetrical and is designed from chips UA : P
and it's a Stax : D
I find always strange that the people are not too interested in DAC of this brand, yet the Stax Dac Talent ( and BD ) are great so I dare not imagine a X1T : D

 

[arnaud]

But it's not like you can find used stax dac at every corner of the web, is it? Especially of the kind that n3rdling found, this got to be as rare as the t2 no? Btw, congrats, n3rdling!

 

[Jonathan66100]

Hi Arnaud : ) 
Yes i believe : D
But the T2 is more sought while X1T (X2T) must bring as much as a T2 (IMHO)

 

[David1961]

AFAIK, Stax no longer service the DAC's they once built, so I'm not sure what will happen for those that own a Stax DAC when serviicing needs to be done.

 

[Jonathan66100]

Servicing a T2 and a Omega (with originally driver ) should not be easy either : )

 

[Ali-Pacha]

http://www.stax.co.jp/Japan/service-J.html
http://www.stax.co.jp/Pdf/Service/Service-J_2014-08-20.pdf
Out of SRM-1 and very old stuff (SRD-1/2/3, SRA-x), T2 is the only amp you can't have any service from Stax.
Same thing with DAC, phono cartridges, ES Loudspeakers.

Ali

 

[gusGGG]

Wooooowww, I didn't know that Stax made a dac, it had to be amazing!! Better said, it's still great for sure.

 

[n3rdling]

But it's not like you can find used stax dac at every corner of the web, is it? Especially of the kind that n3rdling found, this got to be as rare as the t2 no? Btw, congrats, n3rdling!

I think it's actually rarer than a T2.  I've seen them come up for sale less often, that's for sure.  I remember reading that there were only 20 made, but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

 

[NoPants]

should be fairly straightforward to service the dac compared to the amplifiers by oneself, no hv

 

[Jonathan66100]

@ gussGGG​
Stax have made 3 DAC, STAX DAC Talent STAX DAC Talent BD and STAX DAC X1T : ) 
 
​@ n3rdling​
I think Stax have made much more than 20 unity : )​
But i do not know where have they are xD
maybe than the owners keeps them jealously
 
 
@ NoPants
I think too but the X1T appear to have a diagram complicated.
 
@ alipacha
​I believe Stax no longer has the drivers preceding those of the ** 7 series 
(207, 307, 007 ect ... )

 

[astrostar59]

Thanks   I was a little worried about it having tubes as a lot of tube DACs I've heard sound too smooth to me, but this is probably the best sounding DAC I've heard.

I can say with experience that the Audio Note DACs which have tubed regulation and output DO NOT sound smooth as in flat or veiled. In fact they are incredibly realistic and detailed. For anyone looking for another (better) digital source wirh no digititous or treble edge, then get hold of an Audio Note DAC. The 3.1 and 4.1 are at the sweet spot performace v cost. Or go for a 4.1 kit, it is a giant killer and only costs 3k US. You have to assemble the kit but it is real easy. I did mine in 10 hours.

 

[astrostar59]

Kgst is my advice.

 

[Jonathan66100]

@ astrostar
It's possible to have a pictures of your audio note and KGST

 ?