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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
mrdon
109 posts
 

Okay, mr don here, this was a great thread abounding on the merits/demerits of DAC's and specifically the Lab 12 Dac1. Let me paste the response from Lab 12 themselves that I received Monday in the AM to clear up a small matter about this little marvel that stole my heart (even though we never kissed).

Per Lab 12:

Please be informed that our dac1 SE, had from the beginning the below mentioned specifications (http://www.lab12.gr/dac1). Nevertheless, please be informed that dac1 SE is currently out of production.

We are planning on releasing a new DAC based on the same philosophy and core as dac1 SE, clearly upgraded though. However, there isn’t a certain timeframe that we can inform you about at the moment.

If you are really interest in dac1 SE, maybe you can refer to our Canadian distributor to check if he has some units on stock. You can find the contact details of our official distributors worldwide in the following link http://www.lab12.gr/dealers

mrdon) So, it would seem we are in for an improved Lab 12 possibly before it even got off the production floor so to speak. The review by Terry London was completed in Sept./Nov 2018. This thread started in 9-2018 so, it could be possible that due to the critique or quick attention to bring out the flaws in this DAC could have caused the "let me start over" action on the manufacturer's part. Couldn't say for sure but we could be in for a real treat if we are patient.. Comments welcomed...   

  
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,197 posts
 
Oufff... I am happy like in heaven with a 100 bucks dac nos...Fortunetaly...

By the way i dont read specs. only to choose some piece of gear... I listen with my ears; the less scientific mind are sometimes, paradoxically or perhaps not so, the so called by themselves "scientist" , especially in this hobby...
mrdon
109 posts
 
What a spirited discussion, can't ask for anything more than that. And, it appears that most of you providing your inputs punch way above your weight, and i assure you i mean that on a positive note. Everyones  knowledge or IQ about these subjects pretty much astounds me. Without one another the outcomes could be less a less accurate outcome. The scales of audiophile-ness seemed to have settled this difference as, no harm no foul. The reviewer had an excellent point in that he "guaranteed" I would like the Lab 12 more so than the Callia so in short he put his word and credibility on the line, we can't fault him for that. In fact, it is probably more than others would consider doing.      
celander's avatar
celander
1,503 posts
 
Teajay, Since your review is out now and because this thread has served its purpose to those wanting info about the Lab12 DAC, I would kill this thread. 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-do-members-hijack-threads
janehamble
123 posts
 
The whole thing was a hoax.  Old DAC re-heated.  Let's talk about new products.  
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