Subjective grading of DAC that I had heard during last one year period.

[Zappadaddy]

Almost NOBODY likes Pac with 300b and when they do, it tends to be EML 300b XLS or Takatsuki.

You should have tried PX25 or 242, the current fan favourites. No need to spend a lot of money on tube rolling and DONT get Balanced, get SE. Also make sure you gave a good transport and FTA cables. LoL

On another note, try also the cheaper Atlantic GA TRP with engine53 with RK 5u4g recti and GEC KT66 vintage tubes!

Whatever you choose, I hope you are happy long term!

Why do you sugest SE version over balanced?

 

[bonzo75]

Why do you sugest SE version over balanced?

also makes it easier to try different tubes to optimise.

 

[Zappadaddy]

Technician suggested to remove 3 tubes in balanced version to become SE version

 

[wisnon]

Why do you sugest SE version over balanced?

Bal is only beneficial if your entire system is fully balanced, plus as Bonzo said, it’s more of a pain to roll 4 rather than 2 tubes. Bal Dac can run in SE mode of front tube pair are removed. On horizon you would remove the left pair, if I recall correctly.

 

[dminches]

Right pair

In my system I prefer the Horizon played balanced vs unbalanced. Less noise.

 

[wisnon]

Right pair

In my system I prefer the Horizon played balanced vs unbalanced. Less noise.

Do you run a Bal or SE audio system?

 

[dminches]

Do you run a Bal or SE audio system?

Balanced, so for me it makes sense.

 

[wisnon]

Balanced, so for me it makes sense.

Yep, bal mode will kill SE in that case. This is a convo I had with Lukasz years ago.