? On a couple of dac's

mjg

While researching DAC'S I have come across these two very different units. The first is the Audio Mirror Tubadour MK II. The second is the DB Audio Tranquility SE. There is a 45 page thread on the DB unit on Audio Circle( this thread also contains a ton of info on the Mac Mini as a music server and how to set it up) and both have great reviews. They are night and day apart in their aproach as the DB is a USB only input and the Tubadour has multi inputs and is tube. I would be very interested to know if anyone here is using or has heard either. I have noticed that Audio Mirror doesnt seem to be a favotite here but is well reguarded on other sites. Any response will be appreciated.

Thanks, Maurice

tonyb

Haven't heard either one, but the Tranquility garners some good reviews from users. Keep in mind though that it is one dimensional as it is only a usb dac. I believe the signature version is a significant upgrade from what I've read anyway. For the price it seems there are other options that offer more inputs and top notch SQ so thats probably why it doesn't get much play around here. Dacs are a plenty it seems these days with various degrees of build quality, Sound quality, and connectivity. It's not a reflection on the gear itself if it doesn't get any play around here.

mjg

Thanks tonyb. The Tranquility people feel that USB "done right" is the only input needed. If you go this route, does this mean you go straight from the computer to the DAC? Could you still use the Squeezebox, or does it not have a USB out. So many ways to go and so much different equipment. It makes going digital very confusing.

tonyb

mjg wrote: »

Thanks tonyb. The Tranquility people feel that USB "done right" is the only input needed. If you go this route, does this mean you go straight from the computer to the DAC? Could you still use the Squeezebox, or does it not have a USB out. So many ways to go and so much different equipment. It makes going digital very confusing.

Alot of dacs do USB right, Tranquility hasn't cornered the market on it. Yes you can go straight from the computer to the dac, and yes you can use a squeezebox. Look, every manufacturers marketing will tell you their product does it "right", don't let that sway your decision. Think about what you want to do now, and possibly in the future, and then match the gear that bests suits you and your needs.