Six DAC Comparison

Michael Lavorgna just came out with his additional review of the Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC  - Part 2 Tube Rolling.

Fairly short and succent (generally a good thing), he tried five different tubes, in addition to the original tubes supplied by the manufacturer, and determined he liked three of the tube pairs better than the others, with his favorite being a pair of NOS Tung-Sol JAN-12SN7GT – Round Black Plate, Oval Mica tubes.  He found that the Tung-Sol tubes,

"offered a nicely balanced sound overall with an added touch of richness in tone and texture and more than a touch of extra air". 

Lavorgna contrasted his favorites with the original GE’s that came with the Aero, about which he said,

"getting back to the original GE’s that came with the Aero it became clear that they offer more apparent detail than the NOS tubes I preferred which emphasized that hardness I mentioned in my first review."

Interestingly, LTA offers two levels of Ray Tubes 6SN7s, Select and Reserve, for purchase separate from the DAC. 

Lavorgna ended with,

"Summing up, the tubes I preferred—

• Tung-Sol 12SN7GT,
• GE 12SX7GT(A),
• Ray Tubes Reserve 6SN7

—all brought out qualities that gave the LTA Aero DAC the kind of richness and rightness that suits my tastes to a T, bringing music to life in Barn and in me to a greater degree."

I find it nice that he took the additional time to share how changing tubes can change the sound of the LTA Aero DAC.  It gives the current and future owners of that DAC something to think about.

stuartk,

Allow me to help you develop appreciation for classical music.  You have great potential to enter this fabulous world, since you already appreciate its abundance of melodic and harmonic content.  I'll cure you of boredom with a short 4 min example.  It is the solo piano piece, Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor, performed by one of today's top pianists, Valentina Lisitsa.  Peter McGrath made a wonderful CD of her playing, titled "Virtuosa Valentina."

https://youtu.be/4QB7ugJnHgs?si=qWP6Dfx-c8DX9kSN

This popular piano showpiece has everything--gorgeous melody, harmony, exciting rhythm, subtle and large dynamic contrasts.  The rhythm is flexible and varied to suit the changing moods.  Listen particularly from 1:15 to 2:20 where she melts into a lovely melody as a respite from the strong rhythms that precede it.  Note her delicate touch combined with dynamic strength in the loud passages.  On youtube, listen to other performances of this piece.  There is room for many interpretations according to the style and personality of each performer.

For more common classical music, The familiar opening movement of Beethoven's 5th symphony illustrates the architectural complexity of the basic kernel of 4 notes everyone knows--dadada-dum.  It is repeated hundreds of times by various instruments in combination at all dynamic levels and in different keys.  There is an amusing recording by the famous musicologist dubbed PDQ Bach aka Peter Schikelle about this movement.  PDQ plays the role of an announcer at a football game to show how the ball is repeatedly tossed around and fumbled.  It is like a football game in 6 min.  Beethoven was history's greatest master of building towering musical structures out of the barest essentials of notes and rhythm.

It takes an education to fully appreciate anything in life.  Classical music was my first language through exposure from the radio.  I spoke my first words of English at age 3, but by then already knew lots of classical music.  I started playing the violin at age 9, and continue to improve over 60 years later.  Playing the violin in orchestras and chamber pieces has further increased my appreciation.  

Right now, I am bored with watching football, simply because I never took the time to learn and understand the game.  Everything is an acquired taste.  I hope you further discover classical music.

@viber6 

Thanks for your suggestions.

I grew up hearing Classical and Broadway. My parents were big Classical music fans, as are my brother and sister. 

stuartk,

Good background.  I don't know where you live, but for decades in NY, radio station WQXR has had the classical countdown before New Years Day, starting about 1 week before, from about 8 AM to midnight.  It was the top 100, but then it became the top 105 when the NY Times owner dropped WQXR, and it went public on 105.9 FM.  You can now listen online.  No. 1 is always Beethoven's Ninth.  No 2 is either Beethoven's Fifth or Dvorak's New World Symphony.  This is an excellent way to re-introduce you to the great classics.  Lately, the list has included smaller scale chamber music.  Small scale chamber music is my favorite, because there is only 1 player on a part compared to orchestra where there are as many as 16 players on 1st violin, 14 players on 2nd violin.  I dislike the chorus effect of many players on a part, which creates sonic smear.  You can appreciate more nuances if there is only 1 player on a part.  Of course, there is less loudness, but in return you get more subtle varied dynamics and of course more overall detail.

Enjoy.

Michael Lavorgna has reviewed Tambaqui, Holo KTE May and Totaldac.

My impression was that he found his Totaldac DAC to sound more realistic than the 

other two; and that he preferred the Tambaqui  to the Holo KTE May. 

I’ve owned the Holo for a couple of years and love it!