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  3. 190709-3787

Review on Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC

Hey Gon members,

I just submitted to Stereo Times my review on the new ,and the first, DAC that Linear Tube Audio has just released. For right now I would strongly suggest anyone in the market for a stand alone DAC, regardless of price, consider the Aero. Its build quality, R2R chip set, power supply, internal part selection and the tube based ZOTL analog conversion section leads to one of the most musical and analog type presentations I have heard in the last ten years. Not inexpensive at $3,950, but competes with my reference which sells for $10,000 more. You get a 14 day home . trial. So far no one has returned the Aero after hearing in their system. I go into many details about the Aero in my review, but wanted to give a heads-up for anyone considering a DAC purchase. I believe the Aero is a break through product based on price vs. performance. I'll let you know when the review goes up. Hopefully in the next ten days.

 

Terajay (Terry London)

teajay
no_regrets
446 posts
 

@sense63 

Thank you for your comments!  It certainly sounds like the Aero is certainly worthy of it's $4K asking price. I appreciate you sharing the comparisons.

Best wishes,

Don

sense63
54 posts
 

@no_regrets 

My pleasure.

On another question you asked regarding the AZ Absolute copper, that's the cable I'm currently using and it is extremely good.  Another cable I also use, is the Empirical Design ED 120 Coaxial 75 Ohm Digital Cable which is extremely good as well and much less money than the AZ.

no_regrets
446 posts
 

I'm sorry if I had missed reading this in any earlier posts, etc.  But how does the LTA Aero sound when using the Coax input vs the other types?

I ask as my Rotel only offers a Coax output.  So, if the Aero sounds better using other inputs I would wait on buying an expensive coax cable until I got a better transport and then get the appropriate cable at that time.

Any thoughts???

Best wishes,

Don

soix
9,302 posts
 

But how does the LTA Aero sound when using the Coax input vs the other types?

If you’re not going to streaming there’s only SPDIF and optical, so there’s really not much choice there.  Why LTA chose not to add AES or HDMI inputs at this price level is a mystery to me and a significant shortcoming IMHO. 

teajay OP
1,687 posts
 

Hey Don,

The Aero sounds great being driven by a Coax/SPDIF cable. Start with your Rotel as a transport with a good SPDIF cable and I'm sure you will be very pleased. Then you could later on add a dedicated transport and better digital cable. Remember, you have a 10 day trial period, as far as I know no one has returned the Aero back to LTA.

Teajay

 

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