New EMM Labs DAC 2 or Accustic Arts Ref Tube DAC

Hi Hotbird, I've read at the Accustic Arts website that the tubes in the Tube DAC are not located in the analog section of the DAC. So how can replacing the standard tubes with Mullards gives a different sound?

Chris

The idea of tube rolling a DAC sounds crazy to me. At those prices, couldn't designer get it right?

Dave

designers tend not to use rare NOS tubes unless they hv a reliable & continuous source for them. end-consumers on the other hand are free to scout & buy whatever suits their tastes (in other words, its not as simplistic as "designers getting it right").

Dazzdax, I am not technically that competent to tell you why but if you can write to info@accusticarts.de and I am sure one of its designers, Stefan Schunk (son of the founder) will answer you. Though he's German, he's quite well versed in answering in English unlike many German companies' rep. You can read their company history at

Accustic Arts History

For myself, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and you should try it out. ;-)

To DCStep
Many tube equipment when sold also do not provide you the best tubes, the reason being that it's quite hard to find the best tubes which are NOS, new old stock, which are no longer in production. They are limited in numbers, and the prices rise each year for many of these good tubes. And no tube audio equipment manufacturer will cost in their equipment or otherwise their equipment will fluctuate monthly with the price of these NOS tubes.
I guess you never used any tube audio equipment before. ;-)

As to why NOS tubes are still the best, google and find out yourself