Digital Processor That Are Great Matches 4 Tubes?

Hello Fullrun.

I have a McIntosh MC275 tube amp and a Lamm LL2 preamp to drive it and love the combination. My digital front end is a highly optimized PC feeding (thru PPA USB card) to Audiophilleo with PurePower and into a Metrum Octave DAC. I have just received an exaSound e22 that I'm in the process of breaking-in and expect to compare it to the AP+Metrum combo later this week, and eventually compare it driving the amp directly vs thruu the preamp.

Bottom line: I cannot provide input on the e22 yet, but will be able to soon. The e22 retails for $3.5k. One feature is it is supposed to make the computer source quality irrelevant by buffering data in the DAC (not relevant for my situation, but might be for you).

Fullrun,

I purchased the Overdrive SE will all options with the Final Drive late last year. It best any pre-amp setup I auditioned except one, the Allnic L5000 DHT with Kron tubes at around $24,000 retail.

When you are listening at level of quality, one is not necessarily better either. It is just different.

I believe Empirical is the best value for the quality it delivers.

You are welcome to PM for my thoughts on the dac too.

My digital front is a dedicated MacBook Pro which I have tweaked and swapped in a solid state drive... It does nothing else but source the music. all music files are backed up on an external. iTunes simply acts as the library.. Amara and Audirvana Plus are my players. I'm looking to replace the digital processor I have.

Lewinkih01, I would be real interested in hearing your feedback on the exaSound e22. I read strong reviews for it on Audiostream as I did the Overdrive E by Steve Plotkin

Nugent if I were to consider the Overdrive SE.. which would be a budget stretch... I wouln't be able to handle the Final Drive off the bat. But let me get my ducks lined up first... and then be in touch. if I see myself being able to make that stretch. I originally was looking at a budget of 5K. Appreciate everyone's input... there is a lot of stuff out there. And I am also hoping to find a manufacturer who takes on a long term responsibility for the performance of their product. I have that experience with the designer of amp and preamp... and would like the same here. Keep it comin'

Fullrun,,

Another factor to keep in mind is the server computer. My PC is highly optimized and I did notice a significant sound improvement with certain upgrades with the Audiophilleo+Metrum, like using Windows Server 2012 with AudioPhil's Optimizer (that's a software upgrade). My point is certain DACs are more sensitive than others to what they are being fed even if all of them have asynch USB. My Audiophilleo has asynch USB and has the PurePower option and you would think it would be insensitive to the computer feeding it, but it's not - and it's a very good converter!

Your MacBook Pro, just like any other laptop, won't be a top notch server. Sorry to be brutally honest here - I do not mean this in a mean way. But a laptop cannot take hardware upgrades like desktops can. I suggest you take this factor into consideration when selecting your next DAC. Are you willing to spend on a top notch server? If not really, then place extra value on those DACs that really are designed to isolate their performance from the quality of the server feeding them.

I say this because isolation from the server quality is a design goal for exaSound. So much so that exaSound president was giving me a hard time because I was driving the e22 with an optimized server running WS2012.

BTW, look also into Lampizator. They are VERY well liked and you can order one tailor-made to your needs, including a very good volume control. If my end goal wasn't multichannel I would be looking VERY seriously into Lampi.

Auralic Vega is very well liked by many computer audiophiles too, and I believe it has a good volume control too. At that price range there are many very good units with great volume controls. Have you checked computeraudiophile.com?

I am totally in agreement... and think the distinction that you've made is not only excellent, but also invaluable. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to upgrade my server. And it is interesting that you address this, as an audio buddy just informed me that he had both upgraded his DAC and although a little daunting for his computer skills installed the Windows 2012 Server with the Optimizer.

I am familiar and a member of CA. I'm currently reading the DAC reviews on Audiostream... a lot has occurred since I bought my digital processor 3 years ago. One of the reasons that I am changing is that I have lost confidence in its design and I am not pleased with their distributor's way of servicing and addressing the concerns of customers... and also what I consider a lack of extended commitment to their product. I also want to avoid a design that where a malfunction can't be addressed and repaired in an isolated way, but requires the replacement of an entire new main circuit board. Out of my recent experience, I am somewhat hesitant in purchasing a DAC that's made abroad... and where their designated technician is not really qualified. I would feel far more secure in my long-term ownership that if anything failed, I could send it back to the individual or company that designed it.

I so appreciate your input and experience. My amp is a 6L6GA E-linear custom designed stereo amp. My preamp is also excellent. They drive a pair of renovated (Wayne Piquet's) Quad 57s. Thank you.. I will definitely pursue your recommendations. You've been an audio friend indeed!