Keces DA-131 MK2 DAC

Devlon
Devlon Posts: 355
edited May 2014 in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
Just wanted to let you guys know that a rare to find Keces DA-131 MK2 DAC is for sale on Ebay. It's ending pretty soon.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261430541087?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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Comments

  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited March 2014
    I have the MK1 version and really like it.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • blairfrischx
    blairfrischx Posts: 259
    edited March 2014
    I have the DA-151 (the USB version of this DAC) MK2, and it is a little workhorse. Anybody would be happy with the Keces DACs, especially for the prices they go at.
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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    edited March 2014
    Have one of these already and I believe I will go ahead and bid on this one...thanks for the heads-up!
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    edited March 2014
    Dang!
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    sorry starkiller. I have been wanting to hear one of these forever, and curious how it will stack up against the Peachtree. Should be here Thursday or Friday.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited March 2014
    Glad you did win it 11steve. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anxious to see what you think. I almost went for it as well to compare it to my modded Adcom. I love my DA-151.

    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!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2014
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Glad you did win it 11steve. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anxious to see what you think. I almost went for it as well to compare it to my modded Adcom. I love my DA-151.

    H9

    Interesting. One of these days I will grab the USB model like you have Brock. Its always intrigued me for its price.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    Thank you heiney9.

    I almost tried for a 151 a while back, but it would have involved dealing with USB, a new cable and such. I already have a Grover Huffman digital IC, so this just works out better with less cost.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    edited March 2014
    Ahh it was you! Well, at least it went to someone in the Polk family..enjoy!!
    11tsteve wrote: »
    sorry starkiller. I have been wanting to hear one of these forever, and curious how it will stack up against the Peachtree. Should be here Thursday or Friday.
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    starkiller wrote: »
    Ahh it was you! Well, at least it went to someone in the Polk family..enjoy!!
    Thank you. I do appreciate the well-wishes.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited March 2014
    11steve do post your impressions. I have DA-151 because of H9's heads up about it sometime back. Since owing it I have also purchased the W4S DAC 2, Benchmark 1, and the Firestone Audio Tobby. The others are going bye bye (already sold the Benchmark). The thing that is astounding to me about this DAC is that it is just 16/44.1. It is adaptive and not asynchronous yet it is superior in theway its sounds. Like H9 said one time, "This DAC just gets everything right." And, he is right. The only DAC that comes close so far on USB is the Firestone Audio Tobby, and it has just been discontinued I believe. It is fun to op-amp roll with this DAC. Iam liking the sound of the LME49990s right now. This DAC should never have been discontinued. Anyway......Congrats!!!
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    Devlon wrote: »
    11steve do post your impressions. I have DA-151 because of H9's heads up about it sometime back. Since owing it I have also purchased the W4S DAC 2, Benchmark 1, and the Firestone Audio Tobby. The others are going bye bye (already sold the Benchmark). The thing that is astounding to me about this DAC is that it is just 16/44.1. It is adaptive and not asynchronous yet it is superior in theway its sounds. Like H9 said one time, "This DAC just gets everything right." And, he is right. The only DAC that comes close so far on USB is the Firestone Audio Tobby, and it has just been discontinued I believe. It is fun to op-amp roll with this DAC. Iam liking the sound of the LME49990s right now. This DAC should never have been discontinued. Anyway......Congrats!!!
    Thanks, and I will post what I hear. It is due to arrive Friday, so tracking says, and is coming USPS... so I have hope it will be in one piece. This will be the first weekend in Iowa to see spring temps, so I think there may end up being some yard-type things to do, but I will make sure to make time for this. I am pretty excited.....
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2014
    Any updates here?

    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!
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited April 2014
    Sorry, but I am still evaluating.

    Going into this, my expectations were that this was going to be a no-brainer up against the Peachtree, but it doesn't seem to be so.

    The Keces has so many things right about the sound. Immediately some things about the DA-131 were obvious:

    Air between the instruments was greater. And so, with this, everything is more pin point to my ears. The placement of each player is more distinct.

    The overall sphere of the sound stage just seems to be bigger. The music appears to have more volume.

    The level of detail is phenomenal. Once again, with songs I tell myself I know inside and out, there are aspects grabbing my attention. When it happens, it can almost be distracting, but then, the second time through after such a discovery, it adds to how I enjoy the song.

    And, there seems to be a loss of a certain boom in the low end I hadn't noticed before. It is not lacking, but sounds more controlled.

    Overall, the Keces is definitely not laid back. However, I am having one issue with it's sound, both on cans and over speaker. There is an aspect to some higher frequency things I can't quite nail down. Some worse than others.... cymbals sound less natural (at times like everything is a Chinaboy), and at times, vocals and acoustic guitar attack can have the same pattern.
    I have been switching around cables and moving gear, and there is more experimentation to come this weekend.

    I might be trying too hard, and it might be just my ears. Though I did see a specialist yesterday for a cleaning......

    And though my first hand knowledge of the sound of tubes is limited to my guitar amps, I am wishing I had a tubed pre right now. Something about my impressions give me the feel it would mesh well with tubes.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2014
    Keep at it. Sometimes our expectations are so high and once those expectations are in the rear view mirror things come into focus. Which Op-amps are in the output stage? In the end after exhaustive evaluation you might still prefer the DAC-IT in your system, who knows.

    Thanks for the update and keep experimenting :cheesygrin:

    H9

    P.s. I have tubes I had high expectations of that initially fell flat. After some time and re-evaluation they turned out to be among my favorites, so it does happen.
    "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!
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited April 2014
    I had been meaning to post, but quite honestly, every day my head does a flip flop on what I am hearing, and so wanted to anchor my impressions first.
    Not too sure on the OP-amps as I haven't cracked the top, but I was thinking the Mk II has an updated power circuit and OP-amps, which I believe are able to be changed.?
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    edited April 2014
    Well you know who to contact if you decide the Keces isn't for you :)
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited April 2014
    starkiller wrote: »
    Well you know who to contact if you decide the Keces isn't for you :)
    it has been in the back of my mind this whole week. You would get first shot for sure. :-)
    That being said, I am slow to decide many things, and there may even be a couple of purchases involved before this is final. Just so you know.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    edited April 2014
    Ahh thankyou, thankyou very much:)
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited April 2014
    Audioquest King Cobras on the way to replace Morrow M4 ICs. Just to experiment with. I listened quite a bit this weekend and love the big sound of the Keces, and the lows are so incredible. I don't know if these cables might mellow the highs at all, but gonna try.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited May 2014
    I have been experimenting with different things here... and the Keces is staying...
    I have completely changed my cable line up and I am finding it very enjoyable. Replacing a set of Morrow M4 Y-cable, I now have AQ King Cobras to go to my NAD 116 preamp, and I have a set of Analysis Plus Copper Oval for headphones. I have spent many. many hours listening, switching DAC's, and moving cables, and I have found this to be the most pleasing. The weight of the music, I guess what would be called the noise floor, and the rock solid imaging of the Keces really sold me. It seems just that much more holographic and dimensional than the Peachtree, and I really liked that DAC while I used it. That, and the edge in tone I was hearing isn't there with these cables. I think both sets were a bargain, and money well spent.
    Then, as a surprise, my father bought a set of ATH-M50x cans this week to replace my aging Sony's. And so far, they are meshing quite well with this line up... so far loving these 'phones.
    I have considered maybe looking into switching out OP amps just as an experiment, but I am not all that confident in my finer soldering skills, and I am not sure it is entirely necessary. We'll keep that on the back burner.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited May 2014
    The Keces is hard to beat, it does so many things right and just seems to have an effortless presentation. Pop the hood and take a look but I believe the op-amps are socketed, so no soldering skills necessary.

    Enjoy, it's one of those sleeper pieces. I continue to be impressed with it in my office rig and I am pretty particular.

    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!
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  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited May 2014
    I have experimented with several op-amps on my DA-151 and I really like the LME49710's. It came with the OPA604's originally, but I think later Keces made the LME49710's the stock op-amps.

    http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0808/keces_da151.htm
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited May 2014
    I just wanted to say that out of the several DACs that I own the DA-151 is superior on USB to my W4S DAC 2(1499.00), and at least equal to my Firestone Audio Tobby (1199.00). The thing that amazes me is that the other 2 DACs have asynchronous USB and the Keces is Adaptive. Go figure.
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited May 2014
    Devlon wrote: »
    I just wanted to say that out of the several DACs that I own the DA-151 is superior on USB to my W4S DAC 2(1499.00), and at least equal to my Firestone Audio Tobby (1199.00). The thing that amazes me is that the other 2 DACs have asynchronous USB and the Keces is Adaptive. Go figure.

    That's why I am a believer in using my ears not just specifications to purchase gear. Several people on here have told me asynchronous is always better, I disagreed with them after hearing the Keces. In some instances it comes down to the design being just as important as part choices and topology. Generally async is better, but limiting ones DAC choices based on that singular feature leaves out something like the Keces which is great performer.

    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!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited May 2014
    I also recommend the LME49710 op-amp.

    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!
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited May 2014
    would you say the USB is superior to digital coax cable?
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited May 2014
    11tsteve wrote: »
    would you say the USB is superior to digital coax cable?

    USB is trickier to do properly than coax and many units that incorporate a USB input were done as an afterthought. Meaning the thought goes into the coax design but the USB is just plopped in there. That's changing as computer based audio is becoming popular. In relation of the two with the Keces, don't know since the 151 only does USB and the 131 only does coax and they use different reciever chips because of that. David Keces' main point with the 151 was to design a really good USB only unit, not having to worry about doing both inputs in a single unit.

    I'd say he was pretty successful.
    "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!
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