Digital Drive: REVIEW: Scott Nixon TubeDac Plus DAC Processors by mttbsh@comcast.net Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

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Model:	TubeDac Plus
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$450 (assembled)
Description:	TubeDac with Black Gates & other upgrades
Manufacturer URL:	Scott Nixon
Model Picture:	View

Review by mttbsh@comcast.net on October 12, 2003 at 18:06:01 IP Address: 12.211.107.12

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After reading favorable reviews of Scott Nixon’s DACs, I recently ordered a Tubedac Plus ($450) and a separate 3Xac 12 VAC Torriodal Power Supply ($100), and let the DAC burn-in for 100 hours.

I have to say I was concerned by claims that the Tubedac sounded “laid-back” “undynamic” had “rolled-off highs”, and that almost muffled non-oversampled sound that listeners would have to get used to before appreciating

Maybe it’s the result of my having the Plus version, or the extra power supply, but none of the above descriptions apply. I ‘ve owned two DACs over the past couple of years – the Monarchy 22B and more recently, the superior M-Audio 24/96 Superdac with upgraded power supply. I used both of these DACS with the Monarchy DIP, which improved their sound tremendously.

The Tubedac Plus is better than either of these, in every way, and by large margin. It’s so good that the DIP only holds it back, and has been removed from my system.

The highs are anything but rolled-off. They are extended and crystal clear. There is more punch from top to bottom, with a lush midrange and, with moderate volume, house-shaking bass. Instruments sound more “fleshed-out” like they do in real life. For exeample, on Bela Fleck’s excellent new release “Little Worlds” I not only recognize the sound of the banjo, it actually sounds like a banjo. Somehow this DAC manages to capture the tonal quality of instruments extremely well. The only sense in which the Tubedac Plus could be described as “laid back” is in a good way – despite great dynamics it is smoooth and grainless, with no hint of digital glare, and so there is a natural, relaxed sense to the music.

What impresses me the most about this little DAC though, and I do mean little – it can fit in my hand - is the amazing soundstage it delivers. On well recorded discs, cymbals strikes in particular appear suspended in mid-air several feet out from the speakers, and decay beautifully, naturally. Music really comes across in 3D, with each instrument clearly separated to it’s own space. I think this is helped by the fact that I run this DAC through a Carver Pro ZR1000 amp, which has been getting a lot of press lately in this forum, and more so in Audio Circle. The combination of these two components is superb, and in my view, about as good as digital reproduction gets – and together they cost about $1300.

Drawbacks? Some might consider the DACs 1.7 volt output awfully minimal. However, I use a passive preamp (NHT) and I do have to turn it to 12 oclock to gain the same volume as I achieved at 9 o’clock on my other DACs, but so what? Some may be put off by its small size, but I think it’s cute, with its bright little blue light shining when it's receiving a signal. BTW, this DAC locks onto the signal every time, and I’ve found the whole argument of “inverted speaker phase” that came up regarding the Scott Nixon DAC is a non-issue.

In my system, the Scott Nixon Tubedac Plus is here to stay.

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Product Weakness:	See above
Product Strengths:	See above

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Carver Pro ZR1000
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	NHT Passive
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony DVP S7700
Speakers:	Soliloquy 5.3
Cables/Interconnects:	LAT International digital, Pure Silver Sound interconnects, Analysis Plus bi-wire speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Blues. Jazz, Classical, Folk
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 18 x 10
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Brickwall PW8R15AUD power filter
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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