Tube DACs

I've been using a 24/192 Kora Hermes DAC [version 1] for almost two years and am very happy with it.

The qualities Markxiii mentions are what I realized when I replaced my Bel Canto DAC 1.1 with the Kora. The Hermes didn't sacrifice any dynamics, and I gained musical richness and soundstaging dimension.

Being that the Kora uses two 6922 tubes, it has allowed me greater ability to tune the sound according to my changing taste and when I need to equipment match.

This is very interesting, I like the idea of being able to tailor your sound for whatever reasons necessary (although some may disagee in that respect). How this dac would compare to the Audio Aero Prima (dac) and the Audio Logic is what Bigkidz and I would like to know. I was going to post another thread on this, but sheeesh, we're already on topic with this one,...... I hope Bigkidz does not mind me chiming in here !

Rx8man, you can tune the sound you want with virtually any tubed DAC (or anything with tubes, really); if you have an earlier Audio Logic without the transformer upgrade, you have 4 tubes to play with, 2 if you did the upgrade. The problem of course is unscrewing all those little Allen screws in the chasis, getting the unit where you can make the change, and reconnecting and reconstructing everything. A true PITA!

Peter, you should hear the new version of the Audio Logic if you can (you can make a return visit if you want), it is quite good, and you might want to hear a Modwright modded Sony if you can, that is not a bad suggestion, given my experience with Jerry O's mods to my Sony--certainly saves on digital cable, will improve the SACD playback as well as CD and the shorter signal path can't hurt.

Rcprince I am getting the AL DAC (newest version) in a day or so. I am also getting the Wavelength Tube DAC to compare. If you want I can maybe swing by over the weekend with the Wavelength if you want, it has to go back sometime Sunday unless I buy it. I will email you if I think it competes.

I attended an Analog show in San Francisco several months ago and i did get a chance to listen to the modright Sony Cd player. I probably will get their version of a DVD player. I will stay with my Audio Aero Cd player which has recently been upgraded to the 5.4 chip. It sounds really good and I continue to use it for 2-channel DVDs.

Modright is an interesting route to go and these guys should not be ignored when looking into the CD/DVD format of a DAC and preamp. I really do believe this is a wonderful route to go considering what a really good Cd player sells for compounded with a really good pre and then added to a top-of-the line DAC for digitsl Satellite or even for digital HDTV antenna signals. I want a really nice DVD player that has a really good progressive scanner. The only question is one of making sure I don't already have almost everything I want in audio with my Audio Aero and if I am just duplicating. Otherwise, I shall go with an independant processor and jsut find myself a decent transport and stick to the Audio Aero for the listening side.