Hi Guys,
Making this official.
We are coming out with an upgraded version of the original MiniMax DAC.
Here are some of the specifications.
1. Sabre ES9018 DAC chip
2. A Sync USB 32/192
3. Dual power transformers separate digital and analog
4. improved tube output stage
5. improved PSU
6. improved signal input section with high frequency relays/resistors module
7. Tube/SS outputs selectable
8. Socketed output opamps
9. improved S/N level
No volume control.
Price will be $1100
Pre-order introductory price will be $998 for the first 100 DAC's.
Specification:
Frequency Response : 10Hz – 40KHz
Sampling rates : 16-32bit 32KHz - 192KHz
Dynamic Range : 135dB
Digital Input Impedance : 75 ohm
Output Impedance : Tube 3K
Solid State 200 ohm
Output Voltage : Tube 2.5V +- 0.5dB
Solid State 2.5V +-0.5dB
S/N ratio : Tube 105dB
Solid Sate 120dB
THD : 0.2%(Tube) 0.02%(Solid State)
Dynamic Range : 129dB
Power Consumption : 14W
Main Voltage : 120V, 230V, 240V switchable
G.W. : 5.6kgs
N.W. : 4.1kgs
Alex has had the prototype floating around to his buddies in HK with Vincent who runs Vintage Sounds in HK and Tim/president of the Hong Kong Audio Tube Club and they have given Alex some great feedback regarding the sound now coming out of the DAC. They have been very impressed with this new upgraded version to say the least.
These will be here by September 1st, we are hoping a bit sooner but we are waiting on some parts which will take 4-5 weeks to arrive so we are assembling around what we can and once parts arrive we will be good to go.
Thank you for all your support,
Kindest Regards,
Bill O'Connell
Can't wait to hear it, Bill! Sounds like some significant upgrades. 8)
Congratulations! :thumb:
Bill,will the latest version use the some of the 8 channel DAC's outputs in parallel to lower the DAC's output impedance and increase the current available to the IV stage instead of just using 1 channel of the 8 the way the current version does. I remember when this was done with the BB 1704 and required purchasing multiple DACs to parallel their outputs. It looks like a free lunch with the 9018 as you have already paid for 8channels in one package.
Scotty
Stereo mode is set by the micro controller on startup. I am pretty sure that the separate channel output pins need to be externally paralleled also, since the new Oppo BluRay player uses two chips, one 9018 in parallel for stereo and another 9018 for HT multi-channel mode. If both modes were available via software only, they would have used only one DAC chip.
So if the original Minimax did not use parallel stereo channels then it might require new PCB design to allow it. The 32 bit digital volume control is also available via controller programming and a pot. I wish it were used in the minimax because it is vastly better than analog pot, which is maybe why the pot is being discontinued? Just guessing. Could be other reasons.
I was guessing the volume knob wasn't needed... It serves no purpose for anyone using a preamp, other than to get nervosa about its 'dirty' presence... ;) I don't know of many audiophiles that don't use a preamp. With a DAC that accepts multiple inputs, the day is coming... but with record players, tuners, and HT bypass, it'll be a while.
-C
My VC is wide open most of the time when I use Sol's i60 integrated amp. I do use the digital volume control when I use my tube amps. Changing from analog volume control to the internal digital would also require PCB changes, and reprogramming the controller. $$ I do like the fact the upgraded DAC is still a similar price to the original, right?
Bill the original sounded spectacular at our club meeting. An improved version should be a giant killer.
We would love to give it a spin for our October meeting. :drool:
charles
I am on deck to hear this DAC... I'd be glad to share it with anyone at a G2G at my place in September. So, yeah... looks like a G2G at my place is eminent... Thanks for the push, Bill. ;)
cool... looking forward to it... maybe I can show you the remote desktop control of the PC with my tablet before then and have it there during the get together?
It might be a good showdown if Rich brings his two DACs and someone wants to build up the DAC board I have still in the box... have a Sabre DAC shootout :) I can bring the Zodiac Gold as well... I wouldn't bring the PS Audio because it doesn't agree with the tonal balance of your system at all...
regardless, I'm not touching the connections this time :) ;)
If your going to be using the USB input of the DAC from a computer you will have to download the drivers here at Eastern Electric audio. www.eeaudio.com download the correct driver for your computer.
Rollo, I'll try to get one out to you or if worse comes to worse maybe after Carl hears it he can ship it to you for the October Rave as I'm sure the Cman will log some hours on it for you.
I will start burning it in as soon as it gets here... I guarantee 200 hours before it gets evaluated. Not sure if I want to have a big shootout, though... would like to get used to what the EE has to offer first.
Thanks again, Bill...
Quote from: Carlman on August 17, 2011, 06:00:31 PM
I will start burning it in as soon as it gets here... I guarantee 200 hours before it gets evaluated. Not sure if I want to have a big shootout, though... would like to get used to what the EE has to offer first.
Thanks again, Bill...
Age and child have brought you wisdom Carl-son :lol:
So how is it progressing ?
charles
SMA
Charles,
I'm hoping they arrive on Friday but Alex split the shipment and the batch after that won't arrive till the Friday after. I have customers waiting for these and you or Carl will not be in the first shipment as they are all spoken for, heck the second shipment might be all spoken for also. I'll have to check the numbers.
Regards,
Bill
Quote from: Bill O'Connell on September 07, 2011, 03:12:47 PM
Charles,
I'm hoping they arrive on Friday but Alex split the shipment and the batch after that won't arrive till the Friday after. I have customers waiting for these and you or Carl will not be in the first shipment as they are all spoken for, heck the second shipment might be all spoken for also. I'll have to check the numbers.
Regards,
Bill
Good news Bill. Fill those orders first our Club can wait.
charles
SMA
Same here... glad you're filling lots of orders, Bill.
Is it really already the 2nd week of September? Sheesh time is really flying this year...
My EE MM DAC Plus arrived last Thursday evening, before others I am guessing because UPS knows the way to my house so well. :D
I have connected it to my system - sourced from a Mac Mini (stock) via USB, and from CD player via coax.
I tested high resolution material (after a simple download to the Mac Mini) at 96 and 192. Very initial out-of-the-box impressions are strongly positive. I am giving it a week of burn-in before trying to render any specific thoughts on overall sound. It is very nice to have all the input capabilities in one place. Later !
Bill C
(http://www.namethatcake.com/images/b/bill.jpg)..... :beer:
You may want to try removing the tube and playing the DAC PLUS in the SS mode. This is a fantastic tweak, although you lose the tube output capability, the SS output sounds about 25-35% better. It is quite a performance booster. I have tried this myself and it floored me as to how much better the DAC's performance now is. It is perfectly safe to run the DAC with no tube in it according to Alex Yeung the designer.
Give this a try.
All you need to do is remove the tube shield. To do this just push the tube shield in gently as it is spring loaded and turn about 1/4 inch counter-clockwise and the tube shield will release.
I normally don't recommend wiggling the tube but the tube socket has a death grip on the tube pins so if you wiggle the tube gently from while pulling the tube straight out the tube will come out. It is very hard to get the tube out but be patient and it will come, by wiggling and pulling at the same time.
The effect isn't as great on the original MiniMax DAC but on the DAC PLUS it is significant, Of course your mileage may vary.
Later,
Bill
FYI, I received the DAC+ and have had it playing for over 100 hours. I have not done the tube removal but will soon. So far it sounds quite impressive. I'm interested to see what the difference is when I take out the tube.
First take:
Right now the big improvements I hear (over my current DAC, Scott Nixon's best tube DAC) are in frequency response (more bass) and much more concrete placement in the imaging. - likely due to more details in the highs. The EE unlocks details deep in the music. The presentation is more forward than the SN tube DAC I'm used to, which is very laid back.
Most people would strongly prefer the EE DAC to the SN DAC. I think that is because there is simply more detail and range with the EE. However, there is still a beautiful presentation from the SN DAC that allows me to relax and enjoy the music. However, I do have very specific tastes when it comes to my connection to music.
In another 100 hours I'll know more.. It has improved tremendously since I first fired it up.. break-in is important.
-C
It's been a really long time since I listened to the 1st version EE DAC, but I don't remember enjoying the first as much as I did enjoy the mk2 today.
My wife's cousin asked me for a DAC recommendation about a month ago for his Christmas present to himself. I suggested the EE MKII, but he went and bought an original on the used market instead. Shame on him. Well, it's still a sweet soundiong DAC, but I too thought the MKII was noticeably better when I heard it.
Interesting suggestion on removing the tube.
After hearing the substantial changes that op-amp rolling produced in the original, I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that the Plus uses different op-amps than the original is largely responsible for the improvement in SQ.
Why is it when I have time and interest in hifi do I have to get a cold that clogs my ears? ARGH!
I want to listen to the DAC again today.. but can't really judge much... other than how well I can nap while listening. ;)
Feel better Carlman. Freaking Murphy at work. Its breaking in anyway so no time lost. ENJOY. The original modded by Bolder DAC was impressive at our club meeting. Most liked it which is a rare occurrence in our club. ENJOY !!!
charles
Anyone have any updates on how this DAC sounds? It's at the top of my list right now...
I plan to do some serious listening early next week. I've had it burning in over 200 hours now so it should be good to go.
Before this DAC arrived, I had committed to a DIY project of building the Buffalo DAC. It has the sound I like at a price I can afford. I may compare Rich's already-completed one to see how it compares... but it is of little value since very few have heard Rich's implementation of the Buffalo.
Also, Shane lent me an AMR DAC to listen to... and is still burning in.. It is a voluptuous sounding DAC but is detailed.
There is not going to be a 'best and worst' as I compare what comes through the soundroom over the next week.
Even my Scott Nixon sounds "good" to me... it's just what flavors all of these are. We're also talking major price differences... 5,k for the AMR vs. 1,k for the EE. The difference is in the artfulness of the presentation. The EE is more of a straight line, with all details presented correctly. Wheras the AMR breaks them apart and builds something else in front of you. My Scott Nixon shifts your focus to the heart and soul of the music with warmer mid tones and laid back details in the highs... but with limited bass extension.
I will say I'm most impressed with the bass detail of the EE DAC+ overall.. it's punchy and articulate. Of what I've heard, that's where it stands out above the rest.
These are just initial impressions, I'll post more later after I've spent more time... and time is what it takes to really let these things sink in...
-C