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Borderpatrol Dac SE

I've been seeing this DAC mentioned a lot everywhere lately, hearing that it performs way above its price class, etc.

I took the leap and bought one.  Mind you I've only broken it in for 48 hours but I'm at this point I'm not sure it will ever open up.

So far it has really soft and closed in treble with no air or decay.  Mids are okay, bass is a little soft without great definition or extension.  Imaging is ok but feels a little confused.

To be honest it's getting smoked by my current Fostex HP-A8.  The Fostex is the design antithesis of what's gaining traction:  a delta sigma AKM chip.

Owners:  does this thing ever open up, or has the Sopra unmasked another pretender?  If this is "analog" sound, I think I'll pass the next time I hear that descriptor.

System:  

roon
Sotm Sms-200
Perla Audio Sig 50
Focal Sopra 2
emcdade
whoopycat
169 posts
 
Check out this post on another forum:

https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/126075-border-patrol/?do=findComment&comment=2209672

This user had the same kind of experience, and apparently Gary’s advice to turn the tube on and off periodically worked wonders.
emcdade OP
95 posts
 
Very interesting, sounds identical to my experience.  I have been giving the tube a break here and there and have been in touch with Gary.  

Kudos to Gary for giving a 14 day period to audition it.
jond's avatar
jond
5,883 posts
 
@whoopycat nice find there! And I see you're selling an AN Sig-3 did you transition to that from your YDA-1? If so you followed the exact same path as me! I hope whatever your next move is proves satisfying. Apologies to the OP for the brief thread drift.
whoopycat
169 posts
 
Hi Jon,
No way, the Yamamoto is staying put! :-)
Actually although I did like the YDA-01 better than the Sig 3, I wasn't comparing them per se as I have two systems.  It's nice but it didn't wow me like the Yamamoto did.  Someday I would like to give the Border Patrol DAC a try though.

OP, please report back with your results.  I'm curious to see how it works out for you.  
jond's avatar
jond
5,883 posts
 
Whoopycat very cool in my one system my AN Sig-3 was better but only very slightly to the Yamamoto. As they say horses for courses. Happy listening!
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