FS: Eastern Electric Mini Max Dac Plus w/upgrades

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heiney9
heiney9 Posts: 25,661
edited August 22 in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
Eastern Electric Mini Max Plus dac w/ Dexa New Class D discrete op-amps. 4 to be exact. (2) dual channel op-amps and (2) single channel op-amps. Upgrading to discrete op-amps has completely changed the performance lifting even further past its price point.

Here are a couple articles explaining the benefit of "rolling" op-amps in the Eastern Electric dacs. There are still many other discrete op-amps you can experiment with. The over engineered power supply is extremely robust and can accommodate discrete op-amps.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1212/eastern_electric_minimax_dac_plus.htm

https://www.dagogo.com/audio-blast-eastern-electric-minimax-dac-plus-discrete-opamp-rolling/

The core D/A chip of the MiniMax DAC Plus uses the world best sounding Sabre ESS Technology 9018 32 bit DAC chip. It zero jitter feature eliminates the discussion that digital has a long way to go before it can ever become the standard against analog playback. The USB input is Italian M2Tech OEM Asyncronization 24bit 192KHz. The MiniMax DAC Plus incoporates Eastern Electric’s world class leading tube anaglog output stage, it reproduces the finest and silkiest sound from any high resolution file of your CAS. We consider this MiniMax DAC Plus to be the State Of The Art digital format by which others will be judge to in comparison. That we can bring it to you at an affordable price point is our gift to the audio community.

DAC Chip:
Sabre ES9018 32-bit architecture.
Output Stage:
Switchable between tube (using a 12AU7) and solid-state paths.
Inputs:
Asynchronous USB, coaxial, optical, and BNC.
Power Supply:
Dual transformers separating digital and analog sections.
Customization:
Socketed operational amplifiers (op-amps) and tube rolling support.

This dac with discrete op-amps was my work horse for a long time. It's very analog sounding with a huge soundstage and excellent instrument separation. Bass is tight and textured and it punches way above its price point.

I'd rate it a solid 8 out of 10. No glaring dings or scratches.

I eventually upgraded to a Dac Supreme for the DSD option and the screen showing the sampling rate. They are very similar sounding. That's for sale in another post

I decided to try something different in a non-oversampling dac. Just for a different type of presentation.

This comes with the original box, packing and a single tube. I do not have the original I/C opamps any longer.

$450 plus shipping - PayPal F/F or a check if I know you

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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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!

Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,661
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    BUMP

    Great dac.

    If you're interested, let's talk.

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,661
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    How about $400 plus shipping

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • dagame27
    dagame27 Posts: 601
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    Great DAC for whoever is looking. I only traded out of mine for integrated/dac combo. I was always happy with it.
    ChrisIntegrated Amp: Cary SI-300D Processor: Marantz SR7012 Streaming: Bluesound Node 2I 4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,661
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    These have always been well regarded and way above their price point. Also don't have the typical Delta Sigma sound signature. They are mellower and with the discrete opamps they are superb.

    I only moved to a different flavor in a NOS dac. Not because I was unhappy with either of my EE dac's.

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,661
    edited September 14
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    **BUMP**

    Great dac, for not a lot of money. Punches way above the $400 I'm asking.

    Read the reviews if you don't believe me.
    The discrete Op-amps alone are worth more than $200

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,206
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    I currently use this DAC and love it. For the price you are getting a solid performer with tube capability from a first rate seller. GLWS.