PS Audio Ultralink DAC

[poppachubby]

Hey All!! I am seriously considering a PS Audio Ultralink DAC. Obviously, it's a used model, being the first version of this unit. Just wondering if anyone has any specific experience with this model.

I have read several times that the signal strength is impressive. This is a problem for me right now, and is making my DAC the weakest link. There is an additional power supply that I can buy for my current DAC, however I think it's time to upgrade.

I know the Ultralink retailed for about $2000 in 1993. Was this price a reflection of its status in the DAC chain, or more of the fact that it was emerging technology? I'm hoping to audition one today or quite soon.

Thanks alot, Chubbs

[poppachubby]

Well folks, thanks to 02audionoob (yet again!!) I have discovered maybe the best price/performance DAC out there. Grant Fidelity Tube DAC is available directly from Grant for only $300 USD!! The regular price is $390 USD. You have to see this thing to believe it, they are giving it away in my opinion. Of course, they are currently on backorder until November. I for one will certainly wait patiently as my current DAC is fine.

Excitement is in the air!! I have never loved another man like I love 02audionoob.

http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09

[Feanor]

Well folks, thanks to 02audionoob (yet again!!) I have discovered maybe the best price/performance DAC out there. Grant Fidelity Tube DAC is available directly from Grant for only $300 USD!! The regular price is $390 USD. You have to see this thing to believe it, they are giving it away in my opinion. Of course, they are currently on backorder until November. I for one will certainly wait patiently as my current DAC is fine.

Excitement is in the air!! I have never loved another man like I love 02audionoob.

http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09

Well, well, Chubby,

With all due respect to the Noob, what makes you so sure that the GF -09 is going to be the "the best price/performance DAC out there"?

I will tell you that the following quote from the GF website doesn't inspire my confidence ...

"High quality processing chips used throughout .... (Please understand that in order to deter unlawful design copy, manufacturer chooses not to disclose the exact model number for the main D/A converter chip and we respect their decision. The chips inside the unit have been erased off model number during production.)"

[poppachubby]

Well, well, Chubby,

With all due respect to the Noob, what makes you so sure that the GF -09 is going to be the "the best price/performance DAC out there"?

I will tell you that the following quote from the GF website doesn't inspire my confidence ...

"High quality processing chips used throughout .... (Please understand that in order to deter unlawful design copy, manufacturer chooses not to disclose the exact model number for the main D/A converter chip and we respect their decision. The chips inside the unit have been erased off model number during production.)"


I think Grant are strong enough of a company to gain my trust. In terms of the DACs capabilities, at $300 USD, shipping included BTW, you will be hard pressed to beat this thing. Let's not forget, tube as well!! I have been on the hunt for the last couple of months, intensely for the last week.

What are your concerns about the non-disclosure? Quality? China is an insane battleground of electronics right now, so I certainly can understand why they would want to keep it to themselves. Look at Bose, certainly successful and "trustworthy" although I'm not a fan, they don't reveal too much either.

Any suggestions for me Feanor?? I'm all ears...as you know, I have been considering a Zero DAC and a few others from Asia. There's a unit on Ebay right now as well that may get the cash, I don't want to reveal the auction however.

[blackraven]

Save your money and buy a used PS audio digilink III or benchmark DAC or the Van Alstine Solid State DAC that has a tube like sound if thats what your after. The Digilink III is also supposed to give a tube like sound. I'm very leary of low priced DAC's.

[poppachubby]

Save your money and buy a used PS audio digilink III or benchmark DAC or the Van Alstine Solid State DAC that has a tube like sound if thats what your after. The Digilink III is also supposed to give a tube like sound. I'm very leary of low priced DAC's.

I would buy a Benchmark if my budget afforded it. It would be a no brainer, no research purchase. Please explain your leariness...

[blackraven]

I think that you get what you pay for. Thats not to say that there are some bargain buys. If you are really looking for a step up in sound, spend the extra money on proven equipment. Don't make a lateral move. Are you looking for a usb DAC or just a DAC or CD player? I've seen the PS Audio Digilink III on audiogon for $500-$600. I would also consider a used Marantz SA8001 (thre's one for sale on audiogon right now for $600) or the SA8003 to get that tube sound.

[blackraven]

This is a great deal on the PS Audio DIII
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PSDL3

[poppachubby]

This is a great deal on the PS Audio DIII
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PSDL3


I have a Firestone Audio Spitfire, I want something with a little more strength signal wise. Otherwise the Spitfire is quite nice. I also would like some more options for input and output. The Grant tube offers both of these things for a steal. My budget is more realistically 300-400, sorry raven...If I had the money I wouldn't need to post here, I would just spend it!!

[02audionoob]

This is a great deal on the PS Audio DIII
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PSDL3

I think I PM'd that one to Chubbs, yesterday.:cool:

[poppachubby]

I think I PM'd that one to Chubbs, yesterday.:cool:

For a guy who doesn't care about DACs you're quite on top of it noob-a-rama.

[Feanor]

....

Any suggestions for me Feanor?? I'm all ears...as you know, I have been considering a Zero DAC and a few others from Asia. There's a unit on Ebay right now as well that may get the cash, I don't want to reveal the auction however.

Suggestions? Not really, or at least not recommendations.

Personally I'd like to try an NOS DAC. There are couple of options that intrigue me.

First is the 'Fathom' from Pacific Valve (http://www.pacificvalve.us/PVFathom.html). PV seems happy to talk about they chips used; see a large picture of the interior HERE (http://www.pacificvalve.us/images/PVFATH_INSIDE0709-1.jpg). Apparently identical or virtually so DACs are available in eBay : see this 'Valab' model (http://cgi.ebay.ca/Valab-NOS-USB-Re-Clock-DAC-Silver-Analog-Interconnect_W0QQitemZ290354363655QQcmdZViewItemQQ ptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439a77fd07&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14).

Second, this semi-DIY NOS DAC (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220492859243&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT) from eBay purveyor, raindrop_hui. It features the highly-regarded DIR1901 receiver chip, eight TDA1543 DACs in parallel, and a 6N11/6922 tube driver stage. (Running the DACs in parallel boosts the current output to a level where an opamp isn't required, or so I understand).

That eBay guy, raindrop_hui, also sells a bewildering array of semi-DIY DAC components. If you like, check out his other stuff HERE (http://shop.ebay.ca/raindrop_hui/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340). Among the other items I like THIS (http://cgi.ebay.ca/DAC-WM8740-4-0-Wolfson-up-sampling-24bit-192KHz-USB_W0QQitemZ220492050885QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item335659b1c5&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14) low-cost, assembled upsampling DAC that features the DIY9001 receiver, four Wolfson WM1840 DACs, and better-than average OPA134 opamps.

[harley .guy07]

i have been looking here recently at the possibilities of computer based source audio and am liking what I have learned from you guys and other sites and reviews on how good that it can really be. The last time I looked at this kind of setup(a few years ago) it was kind of a joke that people did not take seriously. But with these next generation usb multi dac's out there I think its a very cool thing. You guy's have been a very good source of info as I look into this. And as for the Grant Audio tube dac well it does do everything that I would want it to do, my laptop sound, dvd/cd player sound, and whatever else that I think could use improvment with a quality dac. I have not seen it reviewed on anything but their own site where they say it does pretty well against a cd player of a few thousand dollars. Now if they can really bring that kind of sound for 300 to 400 bucks then thats great. Im not leary of inexpensive products I just need to see the results in a proven test before I spend my money on it,and if a company can show that you can build a quality dac at that price that can do all these things well then I am impressed.

[blackraven]

I'd be wary of the claim that it bested a CD player costing thousands of dollars. You see those claims all the time. If it truly did what they say then why don't they price it higher? I didn't believe that type of claim for the CAmbridge Audio 840c or the Benchmark DAC! And I owned the 840c

Every thing in audio is so subjective! I would just make sure that there is a 30 day money back guarentee on what ever you buy. When purchasing audio equipment, many times it can end up being a lateral move at best, more so with inexpensive equipment.

[poppachubby]

Suggestions? No really, or at least not recommendations.

Personally I'd like to try an NOS DAC. There are couple of options that intrigue me.

First is the 'Fathom' from Pacific Valve (http://www.pacificvalve.us/PVFathom.html). PV seems happy to talk about they chips used; see a large picture of the interior HERE (http://www.pacificvalve.us/images/PVFATH_INSIDE0709-1.jpg). Apparently identical or virtually so DACs are available in eBay : see this 'Valab' model (http://cgi.ebay.ca/Valab-NOS-USB-Re-Clock-DAC-Silver-Analog-Interconnect_W0QQitemZ290354363655QQcmdZViewItemQQ ptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439a77fd07&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14).

Second, this semi-DIY NOS DAC (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220492859243&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT) from eBay purveyor, raindrop_hui. It features the highly-regarded DIR1901 receiver chip, eight TDA1543 DACs in parallel, and a 6N11/6922 tube driver stage. (Running the DACs in parallel boosts the current output to a level where an opamp isn't required, or so I understand).

That eBay guy, raindrop_hui, also sells a bewildering array of semi-DIY DAC components. If you like, check out his other stuff HERE (http://shop.ebay.ca/raindrop_hui/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340). Among the other items I like THIS (http://cgi.ebay.ca/DAC-WM8740-4-0-Wolfson-up-sampling-24bit-192KHz-USB_W0QQitemZ220492050885QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item335659b1c5&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14) low-cost, assembled upsampling DAC that features the DIY9001 receiver, four Wolfson WM1840 DACs, and better-than average OPA134 opamps.


Great stuff here Bill!! Love the NOS Fathom. I am at work and will have to look further into NOS. Having it explained by a guy on Ebay that can't speak english well is not too ideal. However, he took a good stab at it and I got some of its concepts. This is now on my radar BIG time. Thanks a bunch!! So much stuff out there, and in my situation, not enough time to examine it all. I guess that's why coming to AR is worth it.

As far as the DIY stuff goes, I am on a fence. As much as "cheap" DACs frighten you, DIY stuff does the same for me. I'm surprised you vouched for this stuff after your own sub par experience. Looks interesting but I think I'll stay in pre assembled territory. Thanks for all the tips Bill, much appreciated. I'll give you some more thoughts on the NOS later...

[Feanor]

....

As far as the DIY stuff goes, I am on a fence. As much as "cheap" DACs frighten you, DIY stuff does the same for me. I'm surprised you vouched for this stuff after your own sub par experience. Looks interesting but I think I'll stay in pre assembled territory. Thanks for all the tips Bill, much appreciated. I'll give you some more thoughts on the NOS later...

Wow, no way I'm vouching for any of the stuff I mentioned. I only said it sounded interesting to me.

As for DIY component I tried, it was the cheapest unit on sale and I didn't expect much so wasn't disappointed. I understand that many people just don't want to be bothered with the DIY approach.

I think it would be interesting to compare the NOS 'Fantom' and the upsampling Wolfson-equipped DACs. They have quited different design approaches. However I personally would start with the 'Fantom'.

[poppachubby]

Wow, no way I'm vouching for any of the stuff I mentioned. I only said it sounded interesting to me.

As for DIY component I tried, it was the cheapest unit on sale and I didn't expect much so wasn't disappointed. I understand that many people just don't want to be bothered with the DIY approach.

I think it would be interesting to compare the NOS 'Fantom' and the upsampling Wolfson-equipped DACs. They have quited different design approaches. However I personally would start with the 'Fantom'.


Sorry I misread your post, I seem to be doing that alot lately. I certainly didn't feel you were flying any flags anyhow. Ya the Fantom looks super cool and the NOS concept makes tons of sense. This is where full understanding of all interconnected units along the signal path is ultra important. It's also probably my weakest point as I don't consider myself a "gearhead". However, just the fact that I come to AR would probably qualify me with many.

Bill, have you ever gone to FC (Forest City) Surplus here in London? It's located at the Gibraltar Trade Center, Dundas/Third. They have some incredible deals on cables. I just finished upgrading my HT cabling. I bought an Acoustic Research Pro Series II subwoofer cable w/ Y-stereo adaptor for only 5 bucks!!!!! It's a value of easily 40 dollars. Fantastic cable. I don't know who's trunk it originally came from, and I don't care. Check them out if you're in need, could save yourself some cash while not sacrificing any quality at all.