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Digital Drive: REVIEW: Audio Note DAC Kit 1.2 DAC Processors by MVA

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REVIEW: Audio Note DAC Kit 1.2 DAC Processors

68.41.202.141


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Model: DAC Kit 1.2
Category: DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price: $1099
Description: 1X oversampling tubed DAC
Manufacturer URL: Audio Note
Manufacturer URL: Audio Note

Review by MVA on July 10, 2002 at 20:36:39
IP Address: 68.41.202.141
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for the DAC Kit 1.2


The following is a review of an Audio Note 1.2 heavily modified. The stock unit I found to be very musical, but fell short in absolute terms to the best I've had before, an Altis Ultima, and other high quality but much more expensive Dacs of which I have heard. The short cominge were transparency, dynamics and soundstaging.
The following is a list of the changes made in the Dac.
1. dual mono solid state CLCLCLC power supply with seperate transformers for both channels including filaments.The power supply is in a seperate mdf chassis.
2. battery supply for all digital PCB supplies coupled with 1000 uf Black gate NX caps, DAC and receiver chips decoupled with film and foil caps.
3. analog output circuit circuit changed adding 5db more gain and lowering output impedance to 200 ohms. The analog circuit is built on teflon board with Caddock resistore, teflon caps and silver wire, 26g wire for signal 22g for power and filaments. Both balanced,Jensen tranformer, and unbalanced outputs. The chassis is a highly damped Cocobolo/ Birdseye Maple wooden chassis, no eddy currents.
So how does it sound. INCREDIBLE!
The midrange is palpable with a you are there transparency I have never heard from didital. The top end has delicacy and detail that allow cymbals to float in the air. Thunderous bass that hits you in the gut like a Tyson uppercut, but retaining an incredible amount of detail when listening to bowed or plucked bass. The micro and macro detail provides realism that is rarely heard.
I used wide variety of software while evaluating including, Patty Griffin 1000 Kisses, Tierney Sutton Blue in Green, Thin Red Line soundtrack, Gladiator soundtrack and many many more. I have been enjoying it so much I have pulled out CDs I haven't listened to in ages.
The whole project cost about $2500 including the original 1.2.
Mark


Product Weakness: nothing so far
Product Strengths: It's Alive


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Pass Aleph 0s, Boulder 250 AE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Tact 2.0
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Oracle CD Transport
Speakers: MTM monitor, dual 9" woofers in seperat
Cables/Interconnects: Pure Note Epsilon
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Pop, Jazz,Soundtracks
Room Size (LxWxH): 13 x 30 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Built in RPG clone diffuser on front
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): balanced power on DAC
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Audio Note DAC Kit 1.2 DAC Processors - MVA 20:36:39 07/10/02 ( 14)