Abbas dac 2.1 se

[Artnet]

here we go...after 11 months (and customs challenges), the new beauty is in the town, since yesterday ;-)

Sorry cant help myself, very excited for you build quality looks very nice indeed!!

 

[Ron Resnick]

Congratulations, gerihifi!

 

[geluidloopt]

Question for the users of the 3.x DACs: what are your favourite 6080/6AS7 tubes?

 

[Nuforce]

There is a huge thread of headfi forum on the best 6080/6AS7 FYI.

I'm stuck with Chinese 6AS7 given my amps take 24 of the suckers but I'd start with NOS RCA which I read were excellent

 

[Nuforce]

Which is considered his flagship dac from his product listing (see below snippet). I assume the Psyche Signature? And what is rough EURO pricing does anyone know?

 

[gerihifi]

Which is considered his flagship dac from his product listing (see below snippet). I assume the Psyche Signature? And what is rough EURO pricing does anyone know?

View attachment 144158

Hi, just send Abbas an E-Mail, because price varies concerning what you want! Also if you are in or outside Europe (VAT). He has a clear and non-complicated pricelist. For anyone asking him, he will provide you the complete current pricing and options.

For sure he is way cheaper than serious SW1x or Lampizator competitive models - don't forget he is a private-business-owner and workmanship at its best (no labor costs, besides himself or crazy marketing, nor 10kg alu-cabinets...uncountable hours, without fancy industrial robotics..)!

As Abbas ALWAYS says: "There is NO BEST DAC - so NO Psyche or Hermes are not better or equal" in his line, just different signatures and depending on tube design it will get more expensive.
All I can tell you: the most sophisticated model so far, will still below €10k (incl. tax) ...I own one of his latest top models...

Hope this helps
Gerald

 

[gerihifi]

ABBAS AUDIO - HERMES DAC 6080 (PCM63K-J)

Sources I use?
- Cyrus CDi CD transport with external PSU
- Lumin U1 streamer
- and very decent/not-the-cheapest cabling ;-)
- no power generation (Stromtank) for Abbas and only going through my standard Cards Nautilus power strip. I don't use for any tube gear power conditioner, especially if you have good transformers built-in!

Tubes in use:
- 2x 5U4GB Fiver, NOS O-GETTER LONG BOTTLE 1960
- 1x 5U4G Mullard, NOS
- 2x 6080 G.E.C. NOS UK NOS-NIB blackplate
- 1x E88CC Telefunken (Diamond Bottom ULM NOS)

Sound impression after 300h?
- Clarity, depth, sound stage... really, really impressive, I wouldn't say way better than my 3.2SE TDA1541a, but I love the PCM63K-J more
(okay, biased because love my amazing vintage chip already in my Pioneer Elite PD93 CD)
- Classic and Jazz I even prefer over my Grimm Audio MU2 (not kidding, still MU2 is a crazy-fantastic product, best in his class!)
- Abbas is a grandmaster of "music authenticity" I have to say, yes it is not crazy resolving and adding stuff as many fancy hybrid/FPGA DAC these days!
- I'm really sorry for my Grimm Audio MU2, less in use right next to the Hermes
- Did some comparison in my other chain with Holo May KTE, Abbas 3.2SE and Abbas Hermes
- Winner: Hermes, but 3.2SE close
- May KTE: still a good R2R but plays way better when you use USB or I2S, else way underperforming and having the usual too much "warmth", was many liked in the beginning of Holo

Drawback(s)?
- Wolfson 8804 he uses (AES/EBU I forced him I want) produces clicks, when title resolution is changing (e.g. 44.1khz to 88.2). He knows the issue and working on a fix...but doesn't bother me, because usually I listen to my CD transport with the Abbas HermesDAC

Cheers & enjoy your music!
Gerald

P.S. my last investment in my digital chain: still waiting for my Pachanko Labs streamer + Specs Diretta

 

[Nuforce]

I have received his pricing now. At 8k EURO for the top of the range and with zero proper reviews that is too much of a risk for me, sorry. Especially since I didn't find the cheaper model I had especially amazing.

I'd rather get a used Pacific 2 direct from Lampizator.

 

[gerihifi]

I have received his pricing now. At 8k EURO for the top of the range and with zero proper reviews that is too much of a risk for me, sorry. Especially since I didn't find the cheaper model I had especially amazing.

I'd rather get a used Pacific 2 direct from Lampizator.

"0 proper reviews" ... I see, you try it again, we have seen already this conversation from you.
Stay with your fantastic R2R...So funny, comparing Pacific 2 with Abbas and complaining about someone 8k for a craftmanship even higher built quality than Audio Note...

I'm not sure what you wanna try in this thread, but not gonna work, because we have some serious people here owning Abbas and having now years of comparisons. I even don't even start what I'd in the house....

Rgds
Gerald

 

[Nuforce]

no offence meant, I just don't feel I could justify that amount on something bought unsighted whereas I know I like the Pacific since I've heard one.

 

[cal3713]

no offence meant, I just don't feel I could justify that amount on something bought unsighted whereas I know I like the Pacific since I've heard one.

Which lower model did you try?

 

[Nuforce]

Which lower model did you try?

A 4.x something I think. It was very analog sounding but somewhat one dimensional in imaging. I'd very much like to audition the higher end ones with 6080 triodes.

 

[limberpine]

I can chime in. I have a 4.2 gold with the 6bl7 output stage and its nearly on par with vinyl( I know because I can A/B in real time with my TVC. ) It's also holographic in imaging. I've had MANY non audiophile friends, take a listen and say: It sounds and feels like the band is in room.

And I'm using a Raspberry Pi streamer.

 

[Nuforce]

I just checked and it was the DAC 4.1 SE, 5687,EZ35,PCM58P-K3.

Nice and analog sound and very inexpensive from memory I paid less than 1k EURO. It is probably unfair for me to complain that I have heard better given the cost.

It is a shame I can't go and listen to any of the 6080 units at a dealer.

 

[Artnet]

I'd very much like to audition the higher end ones with 6080 triodes.

Well there is a couple of ways of achieving this, one is visiting someone with an Abbas DAC, there are several with 6080 output stages which could help to broaden the search, the other is spending the USD$8.6k plus extras and shipping and finding out! This is what most of us have done here on this extensive thread.

There could be someone in a radius of a few thousand mile/kilometers or less that may oblige you with a listen. The travel would be worth the experience IMO. If you want to audition it in your system you will need a very good friend, and someone curious about how their DAC might sound in a different system. I have been up for this on the odd occasion fortunately they live close by.

There is much enthusiasm on other threads for Lampizator so this could satisy you? If I was to go down this path however I would look at the Horizon. If money allowed that is but even then am not so sure (I would need to have a good listen first, anyone?).

I must agree with Gerald on the below

"0 proper reviews" ... I see, you try it again, we have seen already this conversation from you.
Stay with your fantastic R2R...So funny, comparing Pacific 2 with Abbas and complaining about someone 8k for a craftmanship even higher built quality than Audio Note...

I like Abbas's approach to getting the best from each chip, the strength of each and provides insight into these but he is non-committal at the signature level of build regarding which model to go for. This can be confusing perhaps along with the lack of marketing, reviews etc if that is what you want.

The build quality along with his unique approach IMO defies any direct comparisons to similar commercial product in cost to either the larger format half width SE, or signature versions. The closest comparisons that I am aware of I am not interested in as they are more commercial and so would anticipate more expense for less.

In defense of the less expensive half width models I have heard them with my own ears and they can perform to a very high level where the differing sound qualities of the PCM58 and the TDA1541 are evident and become a matter of taste and system synergy. The smaller DAC's are less expensive and require some good tubes and a resolving system for them to shine. Even then they may not apeal to everyone. All of this has been said before!!

I haven't heard any other of Abbas's DAC's and wonder if this comparison of DAC chip sound is as evident in the larger format? I think the difference will be much more subtle as Gerald's observations and Abbas's words suggest.

As Abbas ALWAYS says: "There is NO BEST DAC - so NO Psyche or Hermes are not better or equal" in his line, just different signatures and depending on tube design it will get more expensive.

The large format is a big step up (and in price also), the sound signature is still Abbas and gives you just more of everything that the Maestro can get from the DAC at the price and model you order. I am still yet to explore the PCM63 which has me guessing thanks to Gerald but will have to wait for a Psyche adventure first.

There are several substantial contributors on this thread that all have very different systems with the exception of them owning an Abbas DAC and the pursuit and enjoyment of music. Their opinions are generously shared and have certainly influenced my choices so Thank you all. The enthusiasm of owners has generally led them to purchasing more than 1 Abbas DAC.
Review enough I think for me anyway!!

P.S. my last investment in my digital chain: still waiting for my Pachanko Labs streamer + Specs Diretta

Thanks for the update Gerald the system is looking amazing. Do you mean last investment in digital chain ever?
That Good !!!

 

[dcathro]

no offence meant, I just don't feel I could justify that amount on something bought unsighted whereas I know I like the Pacific since I've heard one.

I don't own either, but have heard both the cheaper Abbas (3.2) and Lampizator (Big 7) in friend's systems, and to my mind the Abbas was vastly better. Both of these were heard in systems that prioritized music ahead of hi-fi attributes. To my ears, the Lampi was very run of the mill and at best just inoffensive. The Abbas on the other hand really surprised me with its musical attributes - Tone, timing, rhythm, texture and dynamics.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Artnet]

The Abbas on the other hand really surprised me with its musical attributes - Tone, timing, rhythm, texture and dynamics.

Nice to hear David I had a mutual friend here last night playing with my speakers as he does and some room treatment also to great effect. We had a lot of fun and the system sounding really terrific.

@Nuforce your welcome for a listen but its a long way

 

[Artnet]

I posted this on the previous page. Dont think this has changed. If you feel you missed out not getting a 3.2SE and cant stretch to the Psyche or Hermes Signature the below may be of assistance. They run usd$4.2 to 4.8k and also some similarly priced Hermes with the CS8414 receiver chip running at 24/96 Best to email Abbas to make sure.

There is the 3.21SE still available or the newer 3.22SE is now under the Psyche name still running the CS8414 receiver chip running at 24/96 but some interesting changes to Tubes used and the newer evolved pc boards for Psyche, Hermes collection.

The change to higher resolution to the Wolfson receiver chip (24/192) appears in the signature range and run cost wise (currently) $8200 to $8600 small but expected price increase and not currently available due to orders I think and available hours of work given the circumstances not surprising.

Additional options of balanced out and stone front are on request but you would need to check with Abbas on the costs once the Signature models become available again.

I am mighty keen to compare the Psyche signature to my 3.2SE but can only imagine the 3.22SE being a terrific value option for any curious ears

 

[Nuforce]

Just added some new 6SN7 tubes to my Atma-sphere MA1 monos running 6080 (6AS7G).

It would be pretty cool to also run a 6080 triode dac.

 

[limberpine]

Just added some new 6SN7 tubes to my Atma-sphere MA1 monos running 6080 (6AS7G).

It would be pretty cool to also run a 6080 triode dac.

View attachment 144256

@Nuforce where are you located?