Abbas dac 2.1 se

[Gjo]

Several years ago, I purchased a Tubadour III SE DAC, which I thought sounded quite good. Vlad is an excellent builder of audio components. His Reflection 45 SET amplifiers are one of the absolute bargains in high end audio, IMO.

With Vlad's release of his new Tubadour IV SE, I have decided to give it a try. Why? It uses Analog Devices AD1865N-K chips...a version of the AD1865N used by Audio Note in their DAC5. It has no capacitors in the signal chain, instead utilizing output transformers made by Lundahl. One 6922 tube (or E88CC, 6DJ8, ECC88, and 6H23P). Single ended and balanced outputs. IsoAcoustics GAIA feet.

At $3500, it's another relative bargain; and the cherry on top...it's made in the USA.

 

[charles1dad]

@tvad
Thank you for providing that information. He certainly has a good reputation for building high quality products. The design, circuit and price make it very intriguing. Made here in the USA matters in the event shipping for service becomes necessary. Fewer tubes (Not sure how that impacts sonically vs simplicity).

I’ll look into for sure and try to figure out how it may compare to the Abbas 3.2 SE. In all likelihood you probably could not go wrong with either DAC
Charles

 

[charles1dad]

If I make a move for another DAC, it will very likely be the Abbas. My gut feeling monitors keep activating in that direction.
Charles

 

[cal3713]

Several years ago, I purchased a Tubadour III SE DAC, which I thought sounded quite good. Vlad is an excellent builder of audio components. His Reflection 45 SET amplifiers are one of the absolute bargains in high end audio, IMO.

With Vlad's release of his new Tubadour IV SE, I have decided to give it a try. Why? It uses Analog Devices AD1865N-K chips...a version of the AD1865N used by Audio Note in their DAC5. It has no capacitors in the signal chain, instead utilizing output transformers made by Lundahl. One 6922 tube (or E88CC, 6DJ8, ECC88, and 6H23P). Single ended and balanced outputs. IsoAcoustics GAIA feet.

At $3500, it's another relative bargain; and the cherry on top...it's made in the USA.

Please do report back Tvad!

As mentioned earlier, I also have the Tubadour III SE, and preferred it to a Lampizator Amber 3, PS Audio Directstream, and Holo May KTE (amongst others). I hope the new one is a significant step up...

 

[cal3713]

SW1X I had seriously looked into but their cost has noticeably gone up (Similar concept/philosophy to Abbas).

Exactly, watching his prices move over a three year period convinced me that there was a pretty big cash grab going on. I heard and liked one at Sadurní audio in Austin Texas, but the price increases are very hard to swallow. It's clear there aren't really grand changes in component or research costs reflected in the increases.

 

[Gjo]

Please do report back Tvad!

As mentioned earlier, I also have the Tubadour III SE, and preferred it to a Lampizator Amber 3, PS Audio Directstream, and Holo May KTE (amongst others). I hope the new one is a significant step up...

Since it’s transformer coupled (with excellent Lundahl transformers) and no capacitors in the signal, I imagine it sounds different for sure.

 

[cal3713]

Since it’s transformer coupled (with excellent Lundahl transformers) with no capacitors in the signal, I imagine it sounds different for sure.

I'm definitely attracted to that aspect... and I almost always support Vlad's parts choices. They're the ones that have consistently sounded best in my other gear. He's great to work with too.

 

[charles1dad]

@cal3713
Essentially a choosing of ears, Vlad's compared to Abbas. We're buying what their ears tell them is right. The differences in part selection and circuit decisions are just very interesting to me. No doubt that DACs from these 2 men will sound different.
Charles

 

[jespera]

The sw1x dacs and other things were designed by abbas 6-8 years ago.

You can read about here. They arent friends anymore.

Вопрос о связи SWX1 с продукцией AbbasAudio. — Abbasaudio

 

[charles1dad]

Yes, I came across this after spending time on the Abbas site. Abbas makes a compelling case on his behalf.
Charles

 

[Gjo]

The sw1x dacs and other things were designed by abbas 6-8 years ago.

You can read about here. They arent friends anymore.

Вопрос о связи SWX1 с продукцией AbbasAudio. — Abbasaudio

Is there an English version available of the linked text?

 

[Gjo]

I also have the Tubadour III SE, and preferred it to a Lampizator Amber 3, PS Audio Directstream, and Holo May KTE (amongst others). I hope the new one is a significant step up...

I have owned a Holo Audio May KTE, so I'm familiar with it's presentation and characteristics.

If it's not too much trouble, would you please offer some comparison between it and your Tubadour III SE?

 

[jespera]

Is there an English version available of the linked text?

I use google chrome for translation.

 

[jespera]

There is probably more than one side to this story but yes i think he makes a good case for himself. And i dont doubt that he is the original designer of much of sw1x product line. The sw1x dacs also look a lot like early abbas dacs.

Too bad they arent friends anymore as i think the market is big enough for both of them.

Actually wouldnt mind comparing to the sw1x — if someone in cph has one.

 

[charles1dad]

Yes, I was also able to successfully translate to English via chrome. The Abbas site articles are very interesting.
Charles

 

[jespera]

Yes lots to read. More here:

?????? ?????????? - ???????? ?????? - ????????? Abbasaudio

 

[cal3713]

I have owned a Holo Audio May KTE, so I'm familiar with it's presentation and characteristics.

If it's not too much trouble, would you please offer some comparison between it and your Tubadour III SE?

Of course. I thought the May KTE was more linear and maybe more "correct" across the frequency spectrum but it lacked the full body realism of the T3se. There was also significantly more depth to the soundstage of the T3. That probably contributed to the enhanced feeling of realism as well.

 

[charles1dad]

Hi @cal3713
Are you leaning more toward the Audio Mirror given your fine track record with them? Understandable if that's the case. I think I can say with confidence no loser in this group of contenders. I will confess the more I read, the more the Abbas 3.2 SE may find itself sharing space with my Coincident components. Only minor concern is the high output voltage (4.5V) of the 3.2 SE. My line stage has 10 db of gain, amplifier sensitivity of just 0.7V (Pretty sensitive) and 94 db speakers. Potentially could be excess audio system gain issue. Or perhaps not,
Charles

 

[Gjo]

Of course. I thought the May KTE was more linear and maybe more "correct" across the frequency spectrum but it lacked the full body realism of the T3se. There was also significantly more depth to the soundstage of the T3. That probably contributed to the enhanced feeling of realism as well.

I appreciate your comment.

I agree about the Holo Audio May KTE, and I’m curious to hear if the Tubadour IV SE follows the sonic signature of the Tubadour III SE (which I owned four or five years ago).

 

[cal3713]

Hi @cal3713
Are you leaning more toward the Audio Mirror given your fine track record with them? Understandable if that's the case. I think I can say with confidence no loser in this group of contenders. I will confess the more I read, the more the Abbas 3.2 SE may find itself sharing space with my Coincident components. Only minor concern is the high output voltage (4.5V) of the 3.2 SE. My line stage has 10 db of gain, amplifier sensitivity of just 0.7V (Pretty sensitive) and 94 db speakers. Potentially could be excess audio system gain issue. Or perhaps not,
Charles

I've still got a lot of time before I can (hopefully) make the purchase, a year or two at least, so I'm in no rush. Still just getting information, but I do find myself most attracted to the Abbas products. They've got the best power supplies. And the high output voltage is perfect for me since I've got zero gain amplifiers and a single stage/single tube preamp. I'm glad you mentioned it.