Border Patrol Se-i vs Audio Mirror Troubadour MK III

@mpomerantz - I would be very interested in hearing the difference between your new dac and the Heed. I own a Heed and find it anything but harsh or lightweight. That said, in my system, I was able to improve the sound considerably using a Vibrapod 3 under each foot. Really brought out more richness of tone, IMO. I replaced the Vibrapods with a Symposium Stealth Shelf $275) and found it rendered deeper and more pitch accurate bass as well as more harmonic density. But do try the Vibrapods. And let us know about your new dac when you get it. Enjoy.

I recommend the AM Tubadour III. I own one and can say that it made a significant upgrade in my system. Resolution, soundstage and 'air' around notes.

Should also note, the BP has a tube buffer, the Tubadour a tube output stage.

mesch mentions an important distinction on the bp... the choice of putting a tube in the power supply stage and NOT in the output stage always struck me as an odd design choice

also -- other very natural sounding dacs in the same league (and cost) to what have been mentioned are:

metrum jade/amethyst/octave
mhdt (various models) all very lovely
ayre codex
van alstine tube dacs

Time to revive an old thread as my DAC journey continues.

Ultimately went with a Bricasti DAC.  Was at an audio store looking for something else but happened to hear the Lab 12 DAC and was wowed by the "golden tone" of vocals.  Set me back into the tube DAC search which I thought I had exited.  The Lab 12 is too big for my cabinet, but the Audio Mirror or Border Patrol both would fit easily.

Question: Do either ( or both ) offer that golden vocal hue?