Tube DACs

Jeffcott, I have been to Rcprinces home and heard the AL DAC and I will probably get one this week to hear in my system versus the Electrocompaniet DAC. I also want to hear the Audio Aero DAC to compare and I am trying to locate one or an audition. I also want to hear the Tube Technology DAC if I can find one of those also. I also remember our previous stories. If I get them in to compare, I will let you know what I hear and maybe even see if Russ wants to take a listen to for a second opinion.

You may consider having your Sony modded. Modwright has turned my Sony into an exceptional player. The mod included an added tube section. It surpasses the Sony/Audio Note 3.1x sig. as well as Cec TL1x/ AN.

Let me put in a third vote for the Dan Wright mod. The absolute truth mod of my XA-777ES surpassed the performance of my previous Sonic Frontiers P-3.

Although Audio Research is not known for their digital equipment, the DAC 3 MK II is a superlative DAC. It uses 4 6922 tubes and is the best I have had in my system. My dealer loaned me a CD-3 for audition, which bested the DAC 3 in the bass, but not in the mids and highs.

I would highly recommend the Kora Hermes 24/192 or even better, the new Hermes II. I owned the original Hermes (with the Auricaps upgrade) and I now own the Hermes II. Both are amazing and will give you the harmonic richness and midrange liquidity, but they also sound very dynamic, tight on the bottom and smoothly detailed.
I'm sure you would be happy with the Auricapped Hermes, but I think you should try hunting down the Hermes II: it takes all the strengths of the previous model to yet another level of refinement and musicality. Also, it offers practically endless tweaking possibilities: the Hermes II uses either 6922 triodes or, with a different jumper setting allows for using the 12au7 family.
Give it a try!