Abbas dac 2.1 se

[cal3713]

Hi,
@vinhxn,
Not sure if you are still following this thread or not. How has your 3.2 Signature come along with further burn-in/playing time?

I reached the 100 hour juncture yesterday evening. The 3.2SE continues to evolve and improve. As I reported that at 20 hours it was sounding “very “ good. Its moved above and beyond.

I will see/hear what happens between now and 200 hours (This much time needed per Abbas for the Blackgate capacitors to fully sound their best). In my humble opinion this DAC provides sublime sound quality.

I am sure that some of the improving sound can be attributed to the tubes, cables, internal wiring, resistors etc. burning in as well. But apparently the main factor is the capacitors gradually forming.
Charles

Really happy for you Charles. Great to hear, and if I get the chance to buy a new DAC, it will surely be an Abbas. So nice to have a trusted pair of ears give a review like this.

 

[charles1dad]

Really happy for you Charles. Great to hear, and if I get the chance to buy a new DAC, it will surely be an Abbas. So nice to have a trusted pair of ears give a review like this.

Thank you. You would be very impressed with the internal attention to detail and most certainly the sound quality. The 3.2SE is a seamless fit with the Coincident components and speakers.

Depending on the recording, the startle factor is quite present.
Charles

 

[charles1dad]

@cal3713
As you know Abbas builds a variety of DAC models. I have zero doubt that they all are wonderful given his talent and passion. I can say that the big bottle 3.2SE with its 6080 output tubes just sings and breathes music.
Charles

 

[jespera]

This sounds

https://imgur.com/tmNwWov

Better than this

https://imgur.com/WHEf04M

If you dont agree — dont get an abbas dac.

 

[Artnet]

This sounds

better =1964 recording?
than this 2013 reissue?
Lovely music!!
dont have Roon.
Already have an Abbas DAC and everything sounds better so I am getting myself another one!
But I am left wondering how the Vinyl sounds? any idea.

 

[jespera]

better =1964 recording?
than this 2013 reissue?
Lovely music!!
dont have Roon.
Already have an Abbas DAC and everything sounds better so I am getting myself another one!
But I am left wondering how the Vinyl sounds? any idea.

Yes they filtered the life out of the 2013 reissue. Thats one of the things you can use modern digital technology for. “Modern digital technology has come a long way”, as we often hear on this forum.

And yes the music is pretty awesome. Johansson hits very few keys but he hits them just right. Brilliant bass playing by riedel too.

The original vinyl is hypnotic and can send you into a meditative state. Dont listen while operating dangerous machinery.

The links are from roon but the music is from quboz.

 

[jespera]

@cal3713
As you know Abbas builds a variety of DAC models. I have zero doubt that they all are wonderful given his talent and passion. I can say that the big bottle 3.2SE with its 6080 output tubes just sings and breathes music.
Charles

I have a sense that it’ll be even better with the fan and lid off. Have you tried?

 

[charles1dad]

I have a sense that it’ll be even better with the fan and lid off. Have you tried?

Hi,
I have kept the lid off thus far. It would be just fine with the lid in place. I like viewing the interior of the 3.2SE. My listening room is in a nicely finished and comfortable basement with daylight windows. No WAF or living room aesthetic concern.

I am going to order some backup tubes in the near future. Will be very convenient to try different tubes with the lid removed. Abbas encourages trying different tubes to tailor the sound to individual taste and audio system.

He sent me a fairly extensive list of various tube options. I have to say however that I’m very happy with the choices my 3.2SE came with. Since I do require spares, this provides a good opportunity to experience other brands of tubes.

I will add that this DAC is absolutely silent in operation. 7 tubes and 3 separate toroidal transformers, quiet! Grounding scheme is apparently well sorted out.

It’s a delight having the 3.2SE added to my DHT tube signal path audio system (101D line stage and 300b mono blocks). Pure transparency with a vibrant musical soul.
Charles

 

[Artnet]

And yes the music is pretty awesome. Johansson hits very few keys but he hits them just right. Brilliant bass playing by riedel too.

Thank you Jespera, I will see what I can track down on discogs and give it have a listen.

 

[jespera]

Hi,
I have kept the lid off thus far. It would be just fine with the lid in place. I like viewing the interior of the 3.2SE. My listening room is in a nicely finished and comfortable basement with daylight windows. No WAF or living room aesthetic concern.

I am going to order some backup tubes in the near future. Will be very convenient to try different tubes with the lid removed. Abbas encourages trying different tubes to tailor the sound to individual taste and audio system.

He sent me a fairly extensive list of various tube options. I have to say however that I’m very happy with the choices my 3.2SE came with. Since I do require spares, this provides a good opportunity to experience other brands of tubes.

I will add that this DAC is absolutely silent in operation. 7 tubes and 3 separate toroidal transformers, quiet! Grounding scheme is apparently well sorted out.

It’s a delight having the 3.2SE added to my DHT tube signal path audio system (101D line stage and 300b mono blocks). Pure transparency with a vibrant musical soul.
Charles

Sounds like a nice supply chain.

Would you mind posting abbas’ tube list pls?

 

[charles1dad]

Sounds like a nice supply chain.

Would you mind posting abbas’ tube list p

Sounds like a nice supply chain.

Would you mind posting abbas’ tube list pls?

Thanks, it is a good signal/supply chain.

Abbas sent me links to current tubes for sale on ebay. Stating he felt these were good options to consider.
These are his comments.


1. 6080:
I like General electric 188-5 serie ( this tubes has very smooth plate that is useful for the sound), Raytheon, Tunsol and old RCA

Old RCA
https://www.ebay.com/itm/385010699139?hash=item59a46d0b83:g:H6AAAOSwMw1hwEsM&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoO0xL2MNujVbodWl9AAcUWFfUISN3Rfr11k+zvg2dIlHJw/vG4k0f4mTFoJ9z7HEFiLMiP+miYvUvdNH5mIxfLEyEnE3JuybjWz/lf90BJghVyc3tvY1YQgrrOLSyfNSV68VUPMNyPJ+etjYw+oQ0EX5TttfdAgUjEOOwsYLTr6/0rFL6N2Vit+6OCXM0yUWc7w/WL4IlzaVTHYk/MTZTjc=|tkp:Bk9SR6Ss3v3NYQ

Raytheon

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144638671487?hash=item21ad22fa7f:g:UaEAAOSwjSdiyA-V&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoFGjP/4oceFVVK5+B4mHzzHX3FDJ3LuLOhsLqf/yQ6FU6FRh1n/6rZlVZhbGJTbOG349bSPRytnY8T/wzgN7oloMen50dyWeYsZ8AMeG/FbhHsAmL5DVX/rrclFJJrfMQpsGzOMMeJyZd+sfyUgfTgbR3SnkGcVzalnOhJGcSHzVi2//MGaE2ia7Cnjv5EzDxDVCWkAdf6zXYZGPtabY/J4=|tkp:Bk9SR7CL4v3NYQ


2. As for 5V4- I prefer shape tubes, Raytheon, General Electric, RCA, Kenrad, Tungsol

For example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155415454601?hash=item242f7ba389:gUYAAOSw3thj7VvR&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4FaMJ/bpsaVw3WtVT1y/RTANMmh1uRTTHNYzXdwSGH6bwKG5uv1MWmA0cwyVvfjBEzlDAvwxvSOHvRxUC9hsAXCaGcU1L4MS+x+RmDvOWF3Mb0fK5XlxkP0ayxVie5VleylcE6ogLocwpDcUmNxaEPjeCUIXw4CxGlIuE+61mIBWFHUuip5lMhTEpaUn3hdAF4yspJxGha0EjeSjaSJlcggWyvHWNYs8X/5r9mXO5z49bx4glGx233NLlhu4Puc9sXjArOES+8Xf/3x6mssSoz21sMM/LqOSP55q1lhtbFqm|tkp:BFBM9Jjm_c1h

 

[charles1dad]

3. 5Y3- there are too many different brand to choose the best

4. EF12/ EF13 - telefunken, philips miniwatt, valvo, funkwerk ( glass body), RFT ( glass body)
Telefunken from Third Reich:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2651383871...+lFmErvFwa5Cg245/Di5gjRvw=|tkp:Bk9SR_i_jP7NYQ

 

[charles1dad]

5. EZ11- I know only telefunken and RFT ( Funkwerk),
stamped logo- it is from the Third Reich period ( see link please, they are on the sides, crossed out in red). It is a very detailed sounding tube.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1338592607...2SgRWhtTDjGhXXZQwpLPNyDfI=|tkp:Bk9SR5ybqv3NYQ

 

[jespera]

Awesome.

I posted something about jan johansson in the abbas phono thread.

 

[charles1dad]

white printed logo-produced in Germany after 1948

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2658553033...cFeWBD4MoHUSx4/Tz8Ba1lNw==|tkp:Bk9SR5qbqv3NYQ


RFT- and Funkwerk do not sound as detailed as tfk but have a very nice sound due to the glass body. It is East Germany
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2841558120...GWiZ+bwGzxGtZYKhiRedjoig==|tkp:Bk9SR5ybqv3NYQ

As for the EZ81, I prefer philips miniwatt and old mullard ( white print)

Now I see a very interesting tube on ebay, Marconi

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2042470643...Ag/hcLB65gaf7u2W3p7Zstog==|tkp:Bk9SR57inf3NYQ

 

[charles1dad]

@jespera
My 3.2SE has Raytheon 6080 and they sound really fine. I am going to get a pair of G.E. or Tungsol for comparison.

The current version 3.2SE has an additional tube (5Y3 rectifier) to regulate negative voltage of the 6080 output tubes. Abbas said that the 5Y3 has generally a smooth analog like character.

He said that you can substitute with a 5V4 rectifier. It’s higher voltage and yields a more dynamic character. As he says, it just depends on what you are trying to achieve sonically.
Charles

 

[jespera]

I have ge 6080 in my 3.2se. Sound mighty fine — but i havent compared to anything else.

 

[charles1dad]

I have ge 6080 in my 3.2se. Sound mighty fine — but i havent compared to anything else.

Abbas likes the General Electric as posted in his comments above. I suspect the differences among the various 6080 are legitimately distinct, but probably subtly rather than dramatic contrasts.
Charles

 

[Artnet]

Okay, I dont even have my 3.2 yet but in my anxious waiting have been accumulating some tubes. I will gather them up at some stage to give myself a reality check.

EF12/ EF13 - telefunken

You will find EF12 at DB tubes.

5. EZ11

Its constant looking I did get a telefunken from DB but now out of stock, also found a Valvo , Ultron and RFT on ebay to compare. Good luck.

 

[Artnet]

Now I see a very interesting tube on ebay, Marconi

I would imagine it will go for way more on final bid. I did find a pair in the US fairly cheaply but again had to wait.