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While working from home, I use a desktop system consisting of mini-Maggies driven by a Dayton BTA-120 amp and a powered subwoofer. It's quite a nice setup with two DACs, a Schitt Mani from one computer, and a Aune T1 for the other computer (switched to the amp by a passive Schitt switch and volume control). However, one channel on my Aune DAC has failed (low gain, but not inaudible), possibly because of a bad 6922 tube. Yes, a replacement tube is on order, but what to do in the meantime? Of course, like any other inmate in good standing, I have a parts/cord box into which one can delve in emergencies. Out came a USB-powered DAC with RCA outputs, a Signstek DAC (costs pennies), found at https://bestreviewgeek.com/best-usb-dac/ using a TI PCM2704 chip.
Desktop system restored. And it even has a headphone amp capable of driving my HiFiMan HE400 planar headphones.
Audiophile approved? Maybe not. But I can work (and Zoom) with my Magnapan speakers and music collection. And it sounds rather good.
So, if you need a backup, USB-powered DAC, this is one to consider.
Follow Ups:
since you eliminated Zac's suggestion you might have to take a peak under the hood and affirm that the soldering contacts to the socket are intact.
Or wait for the new tube.
Appears to be the socket.
Might try it this weekend, if new tube doesn't arrive first. It's curious that the bad channel is still present, but weak. I may still have Deoxit around, too.
Bad tube? Maybe bad tube socket? Did you clean the pins and the socket? Did you try bending he pins a little so that they make better contact?
It is always worth a try. Most tube problems are actually tube-socket-interface problems. They oxidize.
Thanks. Pins are straight. Pins and socket look clean. I have re-seated the tube; no change.
Look clean but are they really? Not trying to be a PITA, but I've gone through this myself recently. I bought a can of Deoxit to clean the sockets and it solved the problem. And as a side benefit, everything sounded better too.There was a thread on either the tube forum or the DIY tube forum just below where Jim McShane chimed in saying that was where most issues are. He should know, he's the one selling the tubes and even he believes new tubes are frequently not necessary.
That isn't to say that it couldn't be a bad tube but they last a lot longer than you think in a stable environment.
And one more thing, I'd have sent you a 6922 from my stash just to try it. Oh well. You could also try a 6N6P, not a direct replacement but they work and are very cheap.
Edits: 12/17/20 12/17/20
Probably too late with this but I found the Jim McShane post:
Thanks. Not too late, and yes, it was the socket/tube connection. However, I have been listening of late to a Schitt Fulla DAC that I like very much. In fact, I purchased a second one for use as the DAC and preamp (with volume control) at the front end of my main system. It sits just before a McIntosh 240 tube amplifier, and I think it sounds great.
Sounds like a good plan. I'm a believer in the latest and greatest on digital. You wouldn't buy an old computer, would you? There seems to have been a sea change in DACs these last few years. Moore's law has taken hold.
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