Ayon DAC or...

My buddy had an Ayon CDP had a bitch of a time trying to exchange tubes. 

Thanks for your comment :)

I bought the Ayon Stealth Xs DAC and CD-TII transport back in 2021.  That combo rocked my world.  I had no idea CDs could sound so good.  Last summer I got the Ayon Kronos.  It has the same sonic signature as the Stealth but more refined and quieter if used as a preamp.  The Ayon DAC responds well to a high quality power cord.  The Ayon gear is very well built.  A 3mm T handle allen wrench is needed to access the 10 captive screws on the bottom of the DAC.  That releases the top lid revealing the beautifully laid out circuit boards and the tubes.  

My curiousity got the better of me and I brought in the AC Hele’ne DAC a few months back to hear it in my system.  I fell victim to the First Rule of Audio and so now I am using the Hele’ne DAC.  I still use the Ayon CD transport.  It is very good with the Hele’ne.

First Rule of Audio:  Your system sounds great until you hear something better. 

How much better is Helene DAC? Have you tried any Lampizator?

The Hele’ne is at another level compared to the Kronos.  It was twice the price almost but I could not go back to the Kronos after hearing the Hele’ne in my system.  It’s hard to imagine how the sound can get better until you hear it for yourself.  Of course, the rest of the system must be up to the task as well.  I thought my NUC based music server was as good as it gets until I got the Hele’ne.  The Ayon CD Transport sounds so good with the Hele’ne that it revealed serious shortcomings in my NUC based music server.  Next step was trying out the Antipodes K50.  Problem solved but now I am much poorer.  Oh well.  The things we do for our hobby.

The Hele’ne has much better bass and smoother highs.  No fatigue and no cotton ear after playing it loud.  The Hele’ne is much quieter.  The music starts out of nowhere.  For the first few weeks it startled me every time I hit play.  The imaging and soundstage are more focused and the realism more powerful.  Most of all the rhythm and pace is much, much improved.  It’s makes the music spellbinding.  Streaming and local files are excellent and satisfying.  They match closely to the best of the best vinyl.

I have heard a Lampizator DAC but not in my system.  It sounds very good.

It’s been a couple of months since I started to look for a DAC... still didn’t decide what to buy lol. I recently saw on a local auction a Lampizator Big 7 upgraded to engine Eleven. Price similar to much newer Ayon Kronos, but I started to think it’s not the best idea to but a Lampi from 2015. Even if it’s upgraded, it will be difficult to sell it later. So I guess... Ayon DAC or something completely different. :) 

Any other recommendations for a used tubed DAC up to ~6000 USD?