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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)

teajay
teajay OP
1,702 posts
 

Hey Don,

The Aero sounds great being driven by a Coax/SPDIF cable. Start with your Rotel as a transport with a good SPDIF cable and I'm sure you will be very pleased. Then you could later on add a dedicated transport and better digital cable. Remember, you have a 10 day trial period, as far as I know no one has returned the Aero back to LTA.

Teajay

 

wig's avatar
wig
1,274 posts
 

@ soix

My Pro Ject RS2T CD Transport sounds much better with an AES/EBU compared to SPDIF; more transparent, more apparent ambiance/spatial cues with images that are more focused.

Wig

facten
2,882 posts
 

@wig  I believe that i had read that the Project's output was optimized for AES/EBU. My SimAudio 260DT I discovered via communication with them was as well. As @soix  stated it is a drawback with the LTA not having the other two type outputs as you may not be able to fully maximize the SQ of particular transports

 

 

no_regrets
543 posts
 

I truly appreciate everyone sharing there thoughts, experiences and guidance with me!

I think I will just start out with using my Rotel as a transport for the Aero and see how that sounds.  Hopefully it will work well, if not, I will just continue saving until I can afford a dedicated one. 
 

Thanks again,

Don

soix
9,731 posts
 

I think I will just start out with using my Rotel as a transport for the Aero and see how that sounds.  Hopefully it will work well, if not, I will just continue saving until I can afford a dedicated one. 

@no_regrets  Sounds like a good/reasonable plan, and I’m sure your Rotel will sound fine as a transport but just don’t skimp on the digital cable because it makes a big difference (sorry if I’m beating a dead horse here).  Love to hear your thoughts once you get things up and running. 

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