Update:
#1 - The EA OverDrive SE is up and running. Once I got the drivers running, everything worked instantly. I will cook it for 2 solid days before listening.
#2 -I called my Uncle to wish him a happy birthday. This is the uncle who introduced me to high end audio when I was 11. He still has an old old tube system (Audio Research pre and amp, B&W speakers, Nakamichi azimuth correcting tape deck, Linn table/Denon cartridge). He went through a lot of tube gear in his day, but barely listens anymore. We started talking audiophile nervosa and I told him about the Big6 and my DAC shootout. I mentioned the UN VT-99 and he went though his boxes of tubes and actually freakin had a matched pair! He has never sold any of his tube collection and probably never will (I am praying I inherit that some day!). He brought them over 4 hours ago; we let them warm up for 2 hours in the Big6 (which I had already packed up) and he and I sat down for some bonding and nephew/uncle time….
Here, for all those who demanded an audition of the UN VT-99 rolled Lampy Big6, are some impressions of my time with my Uncle (and the UN tubes):
It is amazing how a passion for music and the gear can bring two people of such different ages together!
The Lampy was unquestionably different. The upper levels had more energy, more extension and seamed to be surrounded by a layer of realism that was not there before. Like cleaning a window that you didn't really know had a little dirt on it. The lower frequencies were slightly (if at all) deeper but clearly held control a tad better then with the other tubes. The mid's were, by-in-large unchanged. Equally musical and engaging, but no more so then before the rolling. The soundstage expanded in both width, depth and most interestingly, in height. There was more above me then before. The soundstage opened; but to me it felt a bit artificial whereas the OEM tubes seamed to present a more realistic spacial image. Dynamics were a bit more, well…. more. Subtle transitions between quiet passages and crescendo seamed more meticulous, more defined. Leading and trailing edges were clearly more defined (although that is my interpretation since I have never truly figured out officially what a leading and trailing edge are. lol)
Overall I have to concur that the UN tubes take the Big6 to the next level. I would, now that I HAVE heard them, still say that they are not "transcendental".
Does it change my decision?
No. But it flatly tells me that if someone where looking for a new DAC and had access to these difficult to find (unless your audio uncle happens to blow your mind and have a matched set) tubes, that at about $2K less retail, the Big6 is a MUCH better deal then the Aeris. They are comparable in performance in every conceivable way. With the UN tubes, I liked the Big6 about 40% more then with the OEM tubes; and on certain types of music it clearly bests the Aeris.
But I still need to pick ONE. And I am sticking to my choice. This has nothing to do with tube vs solid state since they both provide SOTA performance and they actually sounded MORE similar with the UN tubes in the Big6 then with the OEM tubes. I guess its true that as you get closer to perfection, the gear starts to sound more and more similar.
I hope that satisfies everyone. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.
As to the thought that the Lampy has an inferior USB port that requires an external USB to SPDIF converter, I made the active decision that I am looking for a one box DAC solution and I don't want to deal with a separate USB to SPDIF converter, another digital cable AND another power cord expense; at least not while deciding on a DAC. Maybe after I have chosen one I will consider it, if it is not the OverDrive (since the overdrive has one built in).
