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In Reply to: RE: "Much more full range sounding"? posted by DougE on September 26, 2009 at 18:11:11
I am considering an AN DAC, but confused with the configurations and their performances (sound-wise of course). I would appreciate someone in this column shed some light, so I can decide. The 3.1, as far as I know, uses the 5687 tube, and the 2.1 uses 6922. the 5687 is supposed to be a very clean working tube, and has oomph also (drive?, extensions on both ends). But... is it that the 2.1 is better in the mids (what you guys have been saying)? Are the frequency extremes satisfactory at all? Supposedly, AN is to come out with a 6SN7 board (vs. the 6922 version). That's my dilemma, what to run with. I need to learn more about what should be my ultimate decision (which version to buy). Also, did I read somewhere that given the same model, the kit version would perform differerntly (sound-wise) than the factory version? I am leaning toward the kit, simply because of cost.
Any comment here would be appreciated.
Ok, let me see if I can help. You ask at least 2 questions: first, tube types; second, kit v factory sound.
The tube type is easy--yes, the factory 2.1 uses 6922 and 3.1 and up uses 5687 (or other variants). There could be a connection between the tube type used and the difference in sound but I'd think that there's more of a difference due to the actual componentry differences between the higher level dacs. For one, on the factory dacs there are different interstage transformers which I believe change when you move from the 2.1 to 3.1. There are many, many other differences but this is one that is very pricey and has potential for making quite a change in sound.
As for sound itself, I owned the 2.1xSig factory for several years and liked the sound enormously. Yes, it was more limited on the extremes than the higher models and also compared to the Kit. But, it is a very dense and rich sound that is in line with what I hear from most level 1 to 3 AN gear. The Kit is a similar animal but has some different components designed for AN Kits, and they give a sound more like the higher level factory dacs in that they are more extended up and down. However, there are differences! I haven't listened side by side between my 4.1bal and the kit so I can't comment conclusively, but I'd speculate from the separate listening of each that the 4.1 retains the density of the factory 2.1 while extending up and down like the kit. Of course, this is at a cost--the 4.1 even used is about 2 times the price of the kit. New, it's...well, a lot!
The Kit dac is extraordinary value and a tremendous performer. Plus, you get the fun of building!
You know I think the kits should not really be compared to the factory models - you pay more you expect to get more.
What should be done is to compare a Dac Kit to every other companies' DACs - now let's see what happens.
The kits are not kit-versions of the factory-built models. They must be judged on their own terms. therefore it is appropriate to compare the kits with other dacs within a persons budget.
The kits should offer better performance than similarly priced factory-built models because you are supplying labor (assuming good system matching). For same-price units, the kits can incorporate better (or more) parts in place of labor. Given that the kits and factory-built models have the same designer, there is likely to be broad similarity (sonics, topology and features) between them. Their is always the chance that a person might prefer one unit over another, regardless of cost. It is all about matching components for the best synergy (hence the AN 'levels').
Regards,
Bob
Do the kits follow the levels?
For instance the M2 is a production level 2 preamp - Is the L3 from AN Kits a level 3?
I agree that people may prefer one product over another - I know a guy who likes the sound of my OTO over the Meishu (I prefer the Meishu) but I get where he's coming from.
I don't know what the correspondence is between the kits and factory-made lines. Perhaps Brian can answer that.
I think the 'levels' are good general guidance: much more than you get from most companies. However, for those of us with components of 'mixed' origin (i.e., some non-AN pieces), the levels are less helpful.
If the other kits are as well designed and executed as my DAC Kit 2.1 Level C Sig. (now called a 3.1 Level A Sig.?), then it is a fairly safe assumption that, for most people, the kits will provide better performance than the similarly priced factory-made pieces. This benefit is not 'free' of course. You must build the dac!
Bob
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