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DAC choices -- help me cross the line

My current DAC is Cambridge Audio Azur 851D driving the two channel speaker system in the study. My headphone system consists of a Bluesound Node 2i feeding into a Quicksilver headphone amp. The plan is to put the CA DAC in the headphone chain and sell the Node, so this means I have to purchase a new DAC for the 2 channel system in the study. Here's what the 2 channel system looks like ...
opticalRendu >> CA Azur 851D (to be replaced) >> Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2 >> Harbeth P3esr

So what am I looking for? Heft, holographic, a bit of warmth, big organic sound, tonal richness. I don't mind sacrificing a bit of neutrality or accuracy. I listen to all kinds of music but am partial to jazz, vocals, classic rock. 

I almost pulled the trigger on a Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ but wanted to take the R2R DACs for a spin just for kicks. I was initially interested in the MHDT Pagoda or Orchid, but their no-return policy is a no go for me. I know some people don't mind, but I really don't want to give my business to a company who doesn't trust its own products.

So this leads me to three final contenders -- AudioMirror Tubadour iii SE, Tubadour iii (regular/non-SE) and the Border Patrol DAC. Really interested in hearing from someone who might have heard at least one of the two, or better yet compared the Audiomirror to one of the MHDT DACs.

Now Audiomirror offers two versions of the Tubadour III -- SE and non-SE, with the SE being a $1000 costlier. Wondering if the sonic improvements are worth the higher $$$ in the SE version. Would love to hear from someone who has had a chance to compare the two.

Also wondering how the Tubadour III regular version compares to MHDT Pagoda. Both are around the same price.

Note: If are going to suggest another DAC, I don't mind. But please make sure it's R2R, < $2500 (used or new), has a return policy, and NOT made in China.

128x128arafiq
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,102 posts
 
I paid peanuts for my dac.... You can buy it used around 100 bucks...

Starting points systems NOS dac TDA 1543 +internal bettery, powered by an ifipower in my case...

Dont throw money on many thousand dollars dac...

This one is the deal...Minimalistic design, overall universal positive reviews...

If you throw your money on the 3 embeddings of your audio system,(mechanical, electrical and acoustical) you will smile at the idea to buy a more costly dac....

The right embeddings exceed in valued S.Q. almost any upgrade you can do even most of the times with new speakers if you own already good one....

My grain of salt in this sea of upgrading waves here....But i know there is too much salt already in this sea.... :)
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,682 posts
 
I should have followed my own advice and kept my mouth shut until accumulating 50+ hours on the DAC. I have been running the DAC for 12 hours every day for the last 3-4 days, and the sound has transformed dramatically. I’ve always known that audio equipment requires extensive burn in but never expected such profound changes across the board.
The details are there, they’re just not as pronounced or etched as my previous DAC, but after getting used to the sound I actually prefer it now. My system has never sounded so smooth yet holographic. The soundstage depth and width, instrument separation and tonal richness is definitely a step above the cambridge audio DAC. Every thing sounds more natural and organic. But the biggest improvement so far has been in the bass department. Before I was getting a bit of bass bloom. That problem has been solved. As per Vlad, the DAC will continue to improve for another 50-70 hours before reaching its final destination.

Since I still have the Cambridge Audio 851D on hand, I put it back in the chain to see if the gains were real or just conformance bias on my part. While the details were sharper, I immediately noticed the lack of body and tonal richness. I’m beginning to understand the allure of R2R, definitely very addictive.
photomax
169 posts
 
Nice update!

Please keep adding details...
pastorbob's avatar
pastorbob
78 posts
 
Hey Arafiq
LOL, Yep.
When I first got mine it sounded ragged and closed in. 
I thought I had made a mistake selling my ADI-2 DAC.

After around 60 hours it began to really open up.
At about 100 hours it absolutely blossomed.

I wrote to Vlad to thank him for providing such a musical piece at  an affordable price, and mentioned my experience with burn in.

He said that the Toubadour will continue to improve up until @ 500 hours.
I have found that to be true so far.

Glad you're enjoying the music.

Cheers, P.B.
yyzsantabarbara
4,895 posts
 
How long does the tube on the Tubadour last? Never had tubes so this we be new to me.

Nevermind.
Expected tube life for 5977 subminiature tubes is  >5000 hrs.

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