Valab Dac-First Impressions

[dwong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsedgwick /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did I miss the boat on the 2009 version? No more on ebay

Seems like they have sold out again. I've been checking Ebay for the past two weeks and today was the first time I saw them posted (probably due to Chinese New year). I'd give Kevin an email and ask him when his next batch of DACs will be released.

 

[adriaan243]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prog /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just tested the Valab with TrueRTA and 1kHz sine wave: Something seems to be completely wrong with my unit.

Did you use a properly dithered 16 bit sine wave,anything else is wrong,
24 bit will be truncated by this 16 bit DAC and will give distortion.

 

[rbej]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prog /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I tried the late Dec. 2008 version, and I don't like it that much. The DAC has now about 200 hrs, maybe more. First of all, after 2-3 hour operation it's getting really hot, and crackling noises apper instead of bass. Even at low temp, right after turning it on, I clearly hear a lot of distortion when testing with sine wave from a signal generator. Even with an internal sound card (ESI Juli@ and SB Live! 24-bit) I get perfectly clear sound using the same software generator. I don't know if this is my DAC only, or it is the TDA1543 chip creating those high harmonics, but I don't like it. I'm shipping it back now, and I'm not sure if I should try the 2009 version, or jump to the Keces 151 mk2.

I have this same problem that you, but i find solution.

Set -4db preamp in Foobar or 60% in windows mixer and sound will be perfectly clear.

 

[prog]

rbej, I will try this, but it won't solve the overheating problem, so I will have to change the supply voltage and the I/V and Vref resistors.

 

[Maniac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW /img/forum/go_quote.gif well, dont' know if i'd call it bleeding edge, hehe, the dac chip is about 20 years old, and the design is pretty old too, just an updated DAC-AH really. I sure wish mine would show up, Keces is looking better everyday, though it comes from China too, hehe to bad nothing american made competes at this price range.. i'd have to spend 600$ on something like a Channel Islands VDA-2. Though, admitedly the vda-2 probably best both of these. I got fine dining taste on a mcdonalds budget.

I must clarify a bit, we are not from China, KECES is and will remain Made in Taiwan for as far as I can foresee. There might be some political argument one way or the other, but for all intent and purposes, we are two separate countries with independent government for each.


Thanks

David

 

[TeraDak]

After Chinese new year, we have shipped some to Kevin. The new 2009 version will be available recently.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Seems like they have sold out again. I've been checking Ebay for the past two weeks and today was the first time I saw them posted (probably due to Chinese New year). I'd give Kevin an email and ask him when his next batch of DACs will be released.

 

[TeraDak]

We doubt that some parts below the PCB were loosen during shipping. However those issues are solved in the 2009 V2.1 version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prog /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I tried the late Dec. 2008 version, and I don't like it that much. The DAC has now about 200 hrs, maybe more. First of all, after 2-3 hour operation it's getting really hot, and crackling noises apper instead of bass. Even at low temp, right after turning it on, I clearly hear a lot of distortion when testing with sine wave from a signal generator. Even with an internal sound card (ESI Juli@ and SB Live! 24-bit) I get perfectly clear sound using the same software generator. I don't know if this is my DAC only, or it is the TDA1543 chip creating those high harmonics, but I don't like it. I'm shipping it back now, and I'm not sure if I should try the 2009 version, or jump to the Keces 151 mk2.

 

[PatOMalley]

TeraDak,

It is nice to see manufacturer involvement in this thread.
What is the output impedance of the 2008 and 2009 DACs?

 

[Historicus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatOMalley /img/forum/go_quote.gif TeraDak, What is the output impedance of the 2008 and 2009 DACs?

Good question Pat I noticed as I wrote before a difference in the output impedance between the two models because the 2009 DAC is more preamplifier friendly.
Now 2009 DAC runs since 81 hours WITHOUT any overheat and sound seems more gentle and refined ... I still wait to connect it to my main gear: a fine and good sounding tube AudioNote M3 preamplifier, B&W 801 III monitor loudspeakers that are very detailed, and a tank the Sony SCD 777ES as player.
I'm really curious how it will sound hoping to like cds again because since now I listened only vinyl recordings with good results.

 

[Sex Bomb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeraDak /img/forum/go_quote.gif We doubt that some parts below the PCB were loosen during shipping. However those issues are solved in the 2009 V2.1 version.

Which units are v2.1? The second batch sold on ebay this year?

 

[tubes]

Yeah, the current production is V2.1.

Historicus, nice system.

 

[Historicus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubes /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, the current production is V2.1. Historicus, nice system.

Thanks Phill the only fault is the low efficiency of the B&W 801 III (the sensitivity is about 87 dB) and so it's really hard to find tube state amplifiers. Anyway these old-fashioned monitor loudspeakers do a great job.

 

[tubes]

I picked up a pair of Klipsch Forte's for that same reason, at 99 db I can pretty much try anything.

 

[Bill Allen]

For those of you still following this forum and the spiel I been laying for the last 12 pages. Listen up! I am going to say this straight out, just this one time:

The 2009 Valab Dac “is” the cutting edge in digital sound.

In my mind a great cassum has formed in digital audio, on one side sits "realism", on the other sits "Digital Hi-FI". On this side of the canyon sits the Valab Dac, on the other side sits well ... the past! The langerliers are cleaning up what’s left behind. This Dac makes it sound real, simple as that. If you get it .... you get one ....................

I and 3 other friends all bought the new 2009 version and are experiencing the same results. This is not just another low cost Dac, this is cutting edge digital sound reproduction. That is if your system is “clear enough” to reveal this lifelikeness. If you purchase one and you’re not “feeling it”, then what can I say, your systems Kung Fu is weak! In the future I am only interested in "levels of realism", not pinpoint analizing BS, we are talking real sounding music in real space. Only the very best analog rigs can deliver this kind of realism, I know because I own one, cost me over $15k. Imagine a $200 Dac with the same capabilities. If you think I am talking out my bung hole, then fine, there are plenty of Langeliers that you preach too.

Myself, I am done prostletizing, from this point forward I will be discussing modifications that hopefully provide improvements above this "new digital baseline" set by the 2009 Valab Dac.

 

[Headphony]

^ I guess I have to sell my 1 month old VALAB DAC and buy the 2009 version now. On the other hand, the next version is probably just around the corner.