$500 upgrade worth it??

danger boy
danger boy Posts: 15,722
edited August 2006 in Electronics
I checked today how much it would cost me to upgrade my beloved California Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC.. it's the stock 18 bit DAC right now. To upgrade it to 24 bits 96kHz would run $500 + shipping.

Kind of pricey i thought. While I do like the DAC a whole lot it seems steep just to bring it up to todays standards. I guess these now being outdated DAC's, parts are becoming scarce... only one shop services them and performs the upgrades anymore. RIP CAL 2002

What do you all think, worthy upgrade or would I just be throwing money into something outdated. I know, I know for that same $500 i could find a better used DAC on audiogon or Epay. But could I get into a tube DAC for that amount?

These originally sold for MSRP $1,495 about 10 yrs ago.. i think I paid $350. With the upgrade it would put me at $850 total investment. :confused:

*oh yeah. this is hooked up to the SRS's in a two channel only rig. Not for the HT.
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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Comments

  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited August 2006
    IMHO, nope. I believe the circuitry design contributes the most to the SQ. For example, my DX-16 DPA DAC sounds better than the dual 20 bits adcom. If I were to spend $500 out pocket to upgrade, I would sell the CAL + $500 to shop for a decent cd player such as a brand new Jolida JD-100. As a matter of facts, you can buy a used for $500 and still keep the CAL!!!!

    -fredv-
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2006
    Is this upgrade simply changing out a chip? If so, the chip is only a few dollars. You could buy the chip yourself and pay someone to install it for you (or do it yourself).

    I upgraded the DAC in my CDP and it cost me about $50 max. It made a noticeable improvement in SQ. But for $500, you'd be royally screwed.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,798
    edited August 2006
    I could think of alot better things to throw 500 at...

    Like cable risers...spray for the air that makes it more fluid for sound to pass through... 20 dollar each isolation pads for my amp and so on...rare kitchen grease to go on the ends of the ICs to cause more conduction...Theater Research Speakers (THE WHOLE SET!!!)...

    Yeah, sounds like a rip off..
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited August 2006
    Buy an air purifier. Otherwise, sound bounces off of dust particles in the air, creating distortion and poor staging.
    Never Forget
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2006
    they call this upgrade a "power boss" upgrade.. but yeah. basically all they do is swap out the chip.. seems expensive to me too. although what could account for the steep price is they don't make or support these things anymore. this is a 2nd party service center.. the only one i can find that will work on CAL stuff.

    If i had an Adcom.. i'd be as happy as pig rolling in mud. ha ha ha everyone works on Adcom's.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited August 2006
    If you look around, $500 will get you a lot. I would put that $500 to something else.
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