Going "Old School" with a CAL Alpha DAC...

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited April 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
I just had to do it, snagged it for a great price so I figured why not. This will be a fun comparison to my current CA DacMagic, which I like alot! The Alpha DAC is coming with Amperex 12aX7 (2) tubes (hint, hint...any tube rolling recommendations). From what I've read this DAC is no slouch even though it's dated, buy mated with the right tubes it can rival a lot that's out there today. Truth or fiction? We'll find out shortly.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2013
    I don't have experience with that particular DAC, but, as with any DAC, the quality of the analog section is critical to good sound. Point being, an older DAC with an excellent analog section will sound better than a new DAC with the latest chip but a crappy analog section. I have a 15 year old Parasound DAC-2000 Ultra that will dominate almost any new DAC. The only DAC's that sound better than that old Parasound are newer ones with newer chips whose analog sections are on par with it.

    Congrats, looking forward to your impressions! I think you're in for a treat...
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited January 2013
    You can find comments like smooth and rich, best DAC ever; or the tube output stage is sub par compared to the SS gain stages before it making it sound veiled. Do you know which version/year it was made?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    You can find comments like smooth and rich, best DAC ever; or the tube output stage is sub par compared to the SS gain stages before it making it sound veiled. Do you know which version/year it was made?

    It's the original 18 bit version not the 24/96. If I find it necessary it can still be upgraded to the 24/96 version. But from what I''ve read the original 18 bit version is where it's at. Time will tell.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited January 2013
    Sweet Dac.....Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2013
    Ahhh yes the Crystal CS4328,one of the first good sounding Delta-Sigma dac chips.I still have one in my parts bin from my first DIY atempt at a stand alone dac.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2013
    double post
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,965
    edited January 2013
    Cool Phil, I would imagine a pretty good analog sound from that dac. Let us know your thoughts.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    Cool Phil, I would imagine a pretty good analog sound from that dac. Let us know your thoughts.

    Tony, let's hope so. The CAL Alpha DAC I believe is the polar opposite of the DacMagic (which I really like). This will definitely be a nice comparison. I'm surprised no one has chimed in yet with some 12ax7 tube recommendations. It's coming loaded with Amperex tubes which I believe are pretty darn good to start off with.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited January 2013
    Depends on which Amperex they are, and by that I mean year and plate type, getter etc. Search some of my old tube threads, lots of 12AX7, 5751 info.

    Sylvania 3 mica black plate GB 5751 are among my favorites, not cheap however.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited January 2013
    FTGV wrote: »
    ....Delta-Sigma......

    I was in that fraternity; they had us under double secret probation.:cheesygrin:

    CS4328, SOTA in the mid '90's, eh?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2013
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    CS4328, SOTA in the mid '90's, eh?
    Not quite,the multi bit chips like the PCM63 and AD1862 could piss further but the 4328 got high marks for musicality and was very easy to work with making it nice for DIYing.It was a highly integrated with on board output buffers so could be used without any additional out stage if one chose the simplest route.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Depends on which Amperex they are, and by that I mean year and plate type, getter etc. Search some of my old tube threads, lots of 12AX7, 5751 info.

    Sylvania 3 mica black plate GB 5751 are among my favorites, not cheap however.

    H9

    When the unit arrives I'll get the info from the tubes & try to track down their origin. I read up on those Sylvania's you mentioned...very sought after. Hmmmm.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    The DAC should be hear on Friday...looks like it'll be a fun weekend.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2013
    How is the Alpha treating you?

    I have a Sigma II on the way.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited April 2013
    What is tube rolling?
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited April 2013
    Jhayman wrote: »
    What is tube rolling?

    audio term for trying different tubes in your system
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2013
    thsmith wrote: »
    How is the Alpha treating you?

    I have a Sigma II on the way.

    I couldn't be more pleased. It conveys a very smooth, natural sound that literally draws you in. I'm sure the Bugle Boy tubes have a lot to do with it. You have to let us know how you like the Sigma II. CAL made great stuff back in the day. It's a shame when they got bought out all that seemed to stop.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter