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A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio

I felt strongly that I wanted to inform the Gon members about a new DAC that ranks with the very best on the market regarding performance, but costs around $2,000.00.  The Lab12 DAC1 SE was compared to three reference level DACS that retail for over $12.000.00 in my review for hometheaterreview.com and was at least on the same level sonicly, if not better.  This DAC from Greece is not just "good for the money" but competes with virtually anything on the market regardless of price!

For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review.  If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
teajay
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,227 posts
 
Check out Audio mirror  this Vacuum Tube model is Very goood 
and the New MK-2 SE model can be bought for under $1500
and its naturalness is pretty eye opening . I have had several more 
expensive models .$$ dollar for dollar you are getting a lot .
they are upgrading their website ,writeto them directly  and do a web search .  Another model from Mod squad is also high value.
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Hey janehamble,

The Lab12 DAC that we are discussing on this thread is the newer version called the SE.  I do believe that the DAC chips and basic overall design is the same, with better/different internal parts in the circuit in critical places that improve the sound.  For more details contact Audio Archon or Lab 12 directly.
janehamble
123 posts
 
@teajay thanks for your reply.

It's a little confusing as they seem to have been using the same nomenclature for a long time (in DAC years).  It would be interesting to know more about the improvements - I might reach out to the company directly, as you suggest.

https://youtu.be/_FWuquRmMVA
celander's avatar
celander
1,503 posts
 
I reread this review before scheduling a visit to the Libertyville shop that carries this DAC. It appears that the review’s critical listening commentary pertains to the DAC fitted with a NOS CCA 1962 Siemens tube rather than the DAC fitted with the stock 6922 tube.

Since consumers are going to audition the stock unit, I’m wondering whether Terry might provide additional insight about his listening impressions of the stock unit.

I could not find a supplier of the NOS CCA 1962 Siemens cited in the review. So it will be challenging to capture all of the sonic qualities reported in the review.
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Hey celander,

Here's the answers to your questions:

1) I scored my NOS CCA 1962 Siemens from Brent Jesse.

2) All the details regarding how the DAC sounded/performed presented in the review apply to Lab12 with the stock tubes and the Siemens.  

3) Yes, with the Siemens you get a little more of an "organic" sound then with the stock tubes, but either way the DAC sounds wonderful.

4) Mike Kay (Audio Archon) has at least three different excellent NOS 6922 tubes that he can provide, along with the standard stock tube, to tailor the sound to your personal taste.  However, with the stock tube it's a great musical presentation.
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