Does a Tube Dac make sense?

It all depends on how one builds a system. To my way of thinking I want the dac to maximize resolution and minimize coloration. Coloration can be incorporated from elsewhere in system.
My Sabre chip dac would likely be considered on analytical side of spectrum. I have the ability to color with various iterations of system, dac direct to amp, dac through two choices of passive preamps, dac through tube buffer, dac through active tube pre. I can get this maximum resolving and perhaps cooler sounding (to some) dac to make music sound rather clinical or bring natural, real human performers into room.

My issue with tube dacs is not with potential colorations, I'm just not convinced they're maximally resolving.

This true signals/coloration debate is very simplistic....

Remind me of the tube/S.S. debate...

Remind me of the vinyl/dac debate...

Remind me of the evolution/ design debate...

Remind me of the male/female superiority debate...

When we debate it is very important to distinguish external duality and internal polarity...
and most of the times there is so much aspects to the problem that it is impossible to generalyse from one perspective only...


If we do not take into account all distinctions, we will oppose complementary factors, elements, and we will confuse our taste and bias with reality....

Then a tube dac could make sense in some specific case not in other.... Simple....

My Cary 200ts has remote switchable SS and tube analog outputs.  I find that i do switch between them depending on type of music and my or companions mood.

I have the MP D2 MKIII and love it.  The stock tubes are kind of dull but get yourself some NOS signal tubes and a good rectifier and it really opens up.  Keep in mind you can run 5 and 6.3 volt rectifiers and 12 volt and 6 volt signal tubes.  You also have user replaceable capacitors (no soldering required).
I'm running the Mundorf siver / oil caps in single ended so I only need two, along with 2 Telefunken 6922 and a Philip's 5u4g rectifier and it's great.  If you can swing it get the Crystek clock option.  Garry is easy to work with.