Oh lordy, another one... however, this isn’t one I’ve just built, as it’s been cherished by another forum member for about 18 months. He wanted to go ‘ultimate nutter b’stard DAC’, so I took the sensible approach (maybe) of taking this one back and building a new one from scratch. I’ve had it back here for a little while, and basically stripped and rebuilt it with the latest ‘Rab revisions’ to components and circuits. I’d rather keep it (as it really suits my setup), but I don’t need quite as many DACs as I have. Also, the place is starting to look like an electronics factory again and the hifi fund has taken a serious battering of late, not to mention that I need to clear some space to finish off other things. Therefore, this one (somewhat reluctantly) needs to find a new home.

 

It now has a very high spec, with separate ultra-low-noise power supplies for all the digital sections and a barrow-load of foo components where it counts. The main board has a lot of serious electrolytics (low ESR Nichicon, Audio Note), almost all Audio Note resistors on the digital and output sections, and Charcroft foil resistors for the I/V conversion. It has a CS8414 processor (so 24/96 maximum input) and there is an NOS original AD1865 SOIC chip. There are two digital inputs, both coax, switchable from the front panel and individually transformer isolated. Output coupling caps are top of the range ClarityCap CMR and are over-specced for best bass response. Wiring is a mix of sensible, foo and more foo, with a smattering of silver here and there. It has a separate board for the HT supply, which is valve rectified and valve regulated. I’ve replaced all the valves, and they’re either NOS or very low hours from my own collection. The output valve is a Siemens gold-pin. It’s all to my usual build standards, as evidenced by the pictures. It’s been properly looked after, and cosmetically I’d say it’s near mint, with just a few tiny marks. Electrically, I’ve checked it over thoroughly during the rebuild and it’s spot on.

 

Everything works as it should, and it sounds lovely. A proper NOS R2R presentation, with a big soundstage and a very natural sound, but plenty of ‘bite’ and good bass. It’s also very quiet when it should be. As always with my stuff, it’s far from what people think of as a traditional ‘valve sound’. I’ve had a quick calculation of what it would cost to build another similar today (insane, frankly), but I need to be realistic, therefore, yours for £750 including courier delivery. Collection/audition from Kettering very welcome, plus I’m out and about a bit so may be able to meet up or deliver. Mav taxi is of course also possible, depending on Jack’s schedule.

 

TLDR? Brilliant valve DAC needs a new home.