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Post by 99birdy on Oct 10, 2012 17:22:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2012 0:18:49 GMT
The AUNE T1 24 BIT Valve (Tube) DAC is 24/96 capable via USB, which means it will play 24/96 files directly, and makes it more future proof for those starting out with digital audio. Alex
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Post by 99birdy on Oct 12, 2012 1:38:44 GMT
alright thanks, what about the Little Dot MK 3 ? That seems like a much closer comparison. although, the little dot doesn't have a DAC I believe. What about sound quality? I guess I'm getting hung up on the fact it has 4 tubes so it must somehow sound alot better?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2012 2:13:25 GMT
You will need to see if any members have experience with the little Dot MK3. Whether or not audio gear has 4 valves in it or 2 ( or even a single dual triode) has nothing to do with whether it sounds better or not. They may be single type valves, whereas others may for example use 2 twin triodes. Many people like the added warmth that valves bring. That doesn't necessarily mean that equipment using valves is better than solid state or vice versa.Many recent designs are of a hybrid type design, where valves and solid state are combined to get the best of both worlds, as is the case with the AUNE T1 24 BIT Valve (Tube) DAC. In fact, many recent valve amplifier designs are dumbed down, compared with what valves are capable of when using the higher voltage supplies that the vast majority of valves were originally designed to work at. I understand that Frans may shortly present a valve based HA (perhaps a Hybrid design?) that uses a considerably higher voltage power supply(40 or 50V perhaps ?) than most current ebay offerings. Alex
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2012 5:05:36 GMT
I had a Little Dot II way back and found that the biggest problem with them was not the sound, but the heat.
Mine was so hot when running that I literally could have burned myself on the casing. It ended up as a front room bonfire. It actually burned itself up on my table in the end.
Heat isn't good for components in the long term and my T1 runs a great deal cooler.
It is a hybrid amp (as Sandyk says) which means you really do get some of the good qualities of SS and the tinge of the valve as well. It runs massively cooler and so will probably last longer too.
One, two, four valves isn't that important.
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Post by 99birdy on Oct 14, 2012 21:13:31 GMT
I appreciate the long review, but this only furthers my reservations on purchasing. My DT 880 needs more Midrange improvement, and it sounds like this would only make it worse. I don't have an EB Valve (where do you get these, what are they, how much) so I'd be using the standard EH6922. I figured because of the 250 ohm impedience on my cans I would need an amp like this, but if it's not going to be a big improvement I could just be wasting money here. It also sounds like you have the opinion valves are worse compared to solid state in most cases. I thought the whole benefit of a product like this was the nice tube that was supposed to warm the sound not make it sound more distorted. Any recommendations or comments for me ?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 21:45:30 GMT
Let's choose not to go there with technicalities. If quite a few members prefer the pleasant added distortion that valves add, due to the typically increased ratio of even harmonics in relation to the odd harmonics,then that is their choice. It's a personal thing, and all about the enjoyment of the music. Perhaps as you have already made it clear that this product is not for you, then it may be a good idea to start a different thread on the subject, as this is purely a review thread for the AUNE T1 24 BIT Valve DAC/HA. Alex
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 23:12:23 GMT
@ 99birdy,
That was a strange conclusion to draw from the reviews posted thus far. Most folk, in this thead so far, enjoy valve equipment and have liked the T1. I'm, on the whole, less keen as stated but still view the T1 as good value. Your posts have mostly been about valve designs so what's the dilemma? I can assure you that this unit will blow a G-design away, add USB DAC and probably be far more reliable.
If you wish to spend significantly more then yes, you can get better sound OR, if you only need one aspect of the design, e.g. just the amp part, then spend your ful budget on specifically that.
Sent from my HTC One S using proboards
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Post by 99birdy on Oct 15, 2012 0:20:27 GMT
I just kind of got the vibe the equipment didn't really make much of a difference in the sound for you. I only spend $220 on my headphones so another $200 for an amp that is good quality but doesn't make much of a difference has me thinking twice. I've never had a headphone amp so I don't know what to expect. It just seemed like it didn't really need it to be there.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 5:06:59 GMT
The amp shouldn't change the 'sound'. So if the mids are missing on a DT880, an amp won't put them there.
The idea is that a lot more power is available in order to provide more 'headroom'. This means that when you get big peaks in music, the amp will provide the power to give a proper peak and not run out of power in the process and so 'squash' the peak down.
So an amp should in fact be kind of 'invisible' but the music should gain more dynamic in terms of a much cleaner delivery of the loud sections.
If you aren't sensitive to this aspect of listening, then you will indeed find that an amp does nothing for you!!
The richness of valve amps stems from the fact that they provide harmonics that SS gear doesn't provide. The harmonics are 'additive' so what happens is the music tends to sound slightly 'richer' than SS in many cases. Expensive Tube stuff isn't exactly the same but generally that is the case.
If you are starting with hi fi/amps, I would suggest a cheaper SS if you're not sensitive to the changes that amps make.
This amp will slightly 'warm' up the original sound, but we are talking gnat's whiskers mostly.
It just seemed like it didn't really need it to be there.
If you're not finely attuned to your gear, this is correct .... it doesn't 'need' to be there and you will hear music perfectly well without an amp.
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Oct 15, 2012 6:31:39 GMT
99birdy Another view is, What do you have your headphones plugged into now?
Remember this unit has a dac in it as well
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 8:41:09 GMT
I just kind of got the vibe the equipment didn't really make much of a difference in the sound for you. I only spend $220 on my headphones so another $200 for an amp that is good quality but doesn't make much of a difference has me thinking twice. I've never had a headphone amp so I don't know what to expect. It just seemed like it didn't really need it to be there. What are you using to drive your HP`at the moment!!!! If your not using a dedicated HP Amp, then i suggest you try to audition one at your local Hi-Fi dealer, you will then hear the difference for yourself, and be able to judge wether the difference your hearing is worth the extra cash for you. Most of the members here are using dedicated HP Amps, some of us have a few to choose from, all give a different flavour to the music, some suit different HP`s better than others. Your questions are achieving nothing to my mind, you need to give one a try, and use the example chosen as a datum line. Mick.
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Post by 99birdy on Oct 15, 2012 18:20:51 GMT
Thanks for the information. I currently have this motherboard www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1156/P7P55DE_PRO/ Hooked up via Optical Toslink to Logitech Z5500 surround system. Headphones plugged into the control center. I think either motherboard or z5500 has a DAC but not positive. Z5500 has massive volume boost so I don't have issues with headphones being quiet. I thought because of the 250ohm resistance the beyers might need something different, though. I will try to find some local hifi'ers but this will be difficult.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 18:56:09 GMT
Presumably you do not live in the UK as you used dollars for costing in a previous post.!!!!!!
If you did, i would be prepared to send you an Amp which i consider to be worthy of an audition, so that at least you could get some idea of how a good Amp can add a positive dimension to your listening through HP`s.
Mick.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 22:42:43 GMT
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Post by 99birdy on Oct 15, 2012 22:45:09 GMT
That is correct, compared to plugging it directly into the motherboard it actually sounds a little cleaner, but not nearly as loud until I crank it up.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 23:12:21 GMT
I have moved some of the off topic posts in the Aune Valve DAC/Headphone amplifier review thread to this new thread. Alex
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 23:16:45 GMT
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Oct 16, 2012 9:53:14 GMT
I had the EF2 and it sound nice specially after replacing the stock valves with an NOS set. However I have not listened to the T1 so I cannot comment on it.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Oct 16, 2012 15:07:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2012 3:02:38 GMT
Totally agree Chris
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