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Experience with AMR DP-777

Hi there, I'm fairly new to audiogon, but have been assembling high-end systems for about 15 years now. Recently bought an AMR DP-777 and swapped tubes and it killed my left channel the first time. I'm no stranger to swapping tubes (in DAC's and Preamps), so I was surprised this happened. I've read some other threads that this sort of stuff has been an issue with this DAC. Of course the DAC sounds, but I have two questions/points:

1) for those of you that have experience rolling tubes with this DAC, what is your procedure to make sure it does cause some any system failure with the unit?

2) second thing is I've sent the unit in for the SE upgrade and will be able to report back to you guys the difference/improvement in sound, as I know it's sonic signature very well
jsch123
jazzonthehudson's avatar
jazzonthehudson
277 posts
 
6 weeks ago the price was $1,200. Darren of Avatar needs to decide if he want to invest in a long term relationship with AMR as a real distributor and stop squeezing the market with his short term / short sighted approach (more like a bad dealer), a behavior that I have heard from many users here in the US. Maybe Vincent (AMR in UK) needs to be briefed on this. IMO the upgrade, though relevant for all those not requiring DSD, should be marketed sub 1k to stay competitive or AMR should just do the next release before mid 2015 with an upgrade path like PS Audio.
1989firebird
1 posts
 
Thought I'd hop in here. Latest news is that AMR is shipping the kits this month. From what I understand, the initial price is $1500, installed. This is especially set for those who have been waiting. For people who send in for upgrade later, there MIGHT be a slight mark-up. I think Darren is waiting to see how involved the process is. He always tests before, performs repairs/upgrades, tests every input and output after and then burns in for a while to make sure everything is OK. Usually takes at the very least 2-3 days for one unit. The upgrade is now an entirely new main board, which explains the mark-up. I guess we'll see what kind of improvements it'll give in the coming months.
aston45
5 posts
 
Hi Jsch 123,
did you get your AMR back already?
How´s the sound of the SE version?
News on this matter will be much appreciated.

Cheers
Kai
jsch123 OP
4 posts
 
Hi Kai, haven't got it back...just received two emails saying the parts were on their way and they'd reach out again within a week or whatever...they never did, but not surprised

never had a buying experience like this...imagine if a mechanic told you to send your car in and he'd have it done in 3 weeks for $750...after almost a year he hadn't done anything with it, and then reached out to you with a mass email saying it's almost ready and it's going to be $1500 now...that's the experience

so...i'll let you know once i know :)
jsch123 OP
4 posts
 
update: amr is gone...auditioned the berkeley dac series II and it beat it in just about every meaningful category.

if you're considering a tube dac check out totaldac, lampizator, audio note, jolida, and EAR. They all make outstanding tube dacs at different price points. or just get better speakers and the exaggerated DAC charade will become less important.
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