Review on Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC
Hey Gon members,
I just submitted to Stereo Times my review on the new ,and the first, DAC that Linear Tube Audio has just released. For right now I would strongly suggest anyone in the market for a stand alone DAC, regardless of price, consider the Aero. Its build quality, R2R chip set, power supply, internal part selection and the tube based ZOTL analog conversion section leads to one of the most musical and analog type presentations I have heard in the last ten years. Not inexpensive at $3,950, but competes with my reference which sells for $10,000 more. You get a 14 day home . trial. So far no one has returned the Aero after hearing in their system. I go into many details about the Aero in my review, but wanted to give a heads-up for anyone considering a DAC purchase. I believe the Aero is a break through product based on price vs. performance. I'll let you know when the review goes up. Hopefully in the next ten days.
Terajay (Terry London)
@mitch2 If you do decide to buy NOS 6sn7 tubes this is a must read. There are reasonably priced tubes (Sylvania, Rca, Raytheon) that sound fantastic but requires some searching and leaps of faith. Interested in your feedback on the LTA Aero once you get some time with it. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/shootout-of-nos-6sn7-tubes |
@tksteingraber - Thanks for linking the tube thread. Based on my web search, if I decide to keep the DAC, it seems I should be able to find a tested and matched pair of suitable NOS tubes, like SYLVANIA VT231s, for under $300, which seems an acceptable price assuming they improve the sound. I wish LTA had those DACs in stock and ready to ship as I am looking forward to hearing it. |
@teajay I landed on the PS Audio MKii by way of trading my pre and a DAC for a Lumin P1, I thought I could potentially achieve a jump up in my system by eliminating having a pre, streamer, DAC. The dealer I made the trade with was in Canada, also rep’d PS Audio, when I didn’t love the change, he honored a commitment that he’d let me send the Lumin Back for a Lumin U2 mini and a PS MKii. I then went back on the hunt for a Pre, was between a Coda 07x and PS BHK Pre. I found a BHK local at a great deal so I ended up with a U2 mini, PS BHK Pre and the Mii with a Krell 300 XD for an amp. What sounded the best in my system was a CSiB Coda Integrated I used as a Pre only that was fed by a MHDT Pagoda Balanced DAC. I have been thinking about swapping the BHK and MKii for the Coda 07x and a tube based DAC. The LTA, based on your review seems to hit my sonic sweet spot. Do you think the Coda would pair well with LTA DAC? I have also thought about an LTA pre or Aric Pre. Thanks for all great reviews and recommendations. |
@jake18aa +1 on Nicholas's customer service. He took all the time in the world to talk to me about the questions I had on the LTA MZ3 preamp. In fact as I was ready to end the conversation he mentioned he had a few months old MZ3 trade in for sale that was basically brand new, and I bought it, with a nice discount. To this day if I have any questions he emails me back always on a timely basis. I've haven't had the chance to hear the NOS 1943 Tung Sol black glass/round plates in my system as my next purchase will be the NOS 1952 Sylvania 6SN7GT Bad Boy. So if anyone ever tries these tubes in you 'new' LTA Aero Dac, I would really enjoy reading that review. But I must say the LTA MZ3 comes with NOS RCA 12SX7GT and NOS Brimar CV4024 tubes or whatever replacements they may have on hand at the time, such as the Genalex E88CC.
|
