Tube DAC Recommendations

MrTennis-
I am seeing the model # as 5000; there was a successor of 5100 but which went up to 24/96, but they still kept the 5000 as their "signature" model.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/zanden/mkII.html
My only concern is the low sampling rate of 16/44.

The Audio Logic DACs, especially the Model 34, are superb tube DACs, even if they have the transformer upgrade that replaces the 12AU7s in the unit (it still has two 6922/6DJ8/ECC88 tubes in it that can be rolled to change the sound). Sadly, the maker and designer of these units, Jerry Ozment, has passed away, so they are no longer made and may be tough to find service for (my 8 or so year old unit still works just fine), but his design is alive and well in the Mk I version of the Jadis DAC mentioned earlier, which is pretty much the same circuit but with different parts. I agree with that poster, both the Jadis and the Audio Logic have a sound that is difficult to describe; maybe a little fat in the bass compared to my EMM Labs unit, but it shines in the midrange and still really seems to make the music come to life, to my ears.

Yes, go out and buy an old, used Zanden. When it tanks, you can send it to Mr. Tennis for repair. I would not buy a Zanden product without reliable dealer backing, as you can't exactly drop them off at the local fix-it shop for repair. IMO.

Hi Rtilden-
Do you have other sources hooked into the Romulus? If so, what are they? Tks

when i heard the original zanden i was not apprised of the model number.
with any older dac, there may be a risk if the product needs repair.

however, as far as tubed dacs are concerned that is my favorite.

i have not heard any current dacs that i would prefer to the original zanden.