Artnet Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Jamie m said: DAC4.2SE 5687 +EZ80+5Y3 PCM58P price will be formed later--------------------------------------- Thats very intersting to see. I will ask Abbas about this down the track.
Bisguittin Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 "...my first TDA1541 experience..." If my own experience with the TDA1541 in my Abbas 2.2SE is anything to go by Stephen, you will be thrilled! 2
Artnet Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 16 minutes ago, Bisguittin said: "...my first TDA1541 experience..." If my own experience with the TDA1541 in my Abbas 2.2SE is anything to go by Stephen, you will be thrilled! I am thinking the same and excited for the experience. So much on this thread and others about the TDA that my thinking was not to ignore having the experience. Also Abbas's observations of the different chipset so am keen to hear the difference. You will hear about it for sure once it happens 1 1
Bisguittin Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 (edited) I choose not to "analyse" the sound. I know it seems a bit twee, but "totally natural" is the best way I can describe it. I have just acquired a Teac VRDS-7 from @georgehifiset up as dedicated transport. A match made in heaven! Edited January 20, 2023 by Bisguittin 3
Artnet Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 I gueuss with the different genre's and recordings i was keen to hear any differences. I wont be doing too much analysing more listening. The Abbas DAC certainly improves the CD listening experience but a good transport also, sounds very positive. 2
Artnet Posted January 20, 2023 Posted January 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Bisguittin said: just acquired a Teac VRDS-7 Wow, did some reading. You've got some bragging rights on that. Well some good music for sure. Keen to hear more. 1
xlr8or Posted February 19, 2023 Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) Some very nice ST shaped 6X5G's going for auction here: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/115710803133 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/204245010500 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/204245034128 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/204245024571 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/204245042491 Edited February 19, 2023 by xlr8or 3
Artnet Posted February 19, 2023 Posted February 19, 2023 9 hours ago, xlr8or said: Some very nice ST shaped 6X5G's going for auction here: A very nice selection there to choose from. Curious construction on the Military Spec 6X5G ZA.3494., Same seller has a nice GZ32 also
MattyW Posted February 19, 2023 Posted February 19, 2023 Mmmmm, it would be interesting to hear my old Abbas DAC 2.2SE in my current sound chain. It still holds true that I can't use tubes in my system as there's a lot of TV viewing done with it but it would still be an interesting comparison.
Artnet Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 45 minutes ago, MattyW said: It still holds true that I can't use tubes in my system as there's a lot of TV viewing done with it but it would still be an interesting comparison. Not so difficult to bypass for the TV viewing? I don't think the tubes will wear out too quickly. The supplied tubes from Abbas aren't expensive unless you go a little exotic. The small form factor 2.4SE is a winner apparently. All for encouraging comparisons.
MattyW Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 1 minute ago, Artnet said: Not so difficult to bypass for the TV viewing? I don't think the tubes will wear out too quickly. The supplied tubes from Abbas aren't expensive unless you go a little exotic. The small form factor 2.4SE is a winner apparently. All for encouraging comparisons. But the long periods where my wife pauses kids shows for hours at a time is not exactly good for tube life. Cathode poisoning. That and my system is often on for 10 hours or so a day. Less than ideal. It's why I'm now all solid state. 1
Artnet Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 @MattyW Does your pre have 2 outputs? Just add a selector switch for those Musical occasions when you want some Abbas music.
MattyW Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 2 minutes ago, Artnet said: @MattyW Does your pre have 2 outputs? Just add a selector switch for those Musical occasions when you want some Abbas music. That would also come down to changing the entertainment console.... Which is a no no with my wife. There's simply insufficient room for another unit hey. Use cases are not the same for us all. I ditched vinyl due to the little one and required space also. That said when digital content sounds this good it doesn't much matter. Still curious to see how it would stack up with my current DAC. Maybe better, maybe not. 1
Artnet Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 20 minutes ago, MattyW said: Still curious to see how it would stack up with my current DAC. Maybe better, maybe not Understand but the comparison would be interesting. 1
MattyW Posted February 20, 2023 Posted February 20, 2023 Just now, Artnet said: Understand but the comparison would be interesting. It would certainly be interesting yes. Abbas DAC are rather special. 2
harleygirl1901 Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 Does anyone have experience with the TDA1543 .11SE with the Abbas OTL headamp? I ordered both to use together with modded HD600. Or just the DAC itself? Can anyone compare it to other vintage IC like the Ultra Analog D20400A or AD1862? I have heard 1541A, but in a budget CDT only, so it wasn't the best of implementations. Right now my rig consists of a SFD-1 mkII with a heavily BHC modified Crack, but I have experience with the Schiit Gungnir Multibit, which I had before this. The UA module died in my DAC, so I've replaced it with the AD1862 drop-in module by Parts Connexion (the spiritual successor of both Sonic Frontiers and Anthem). The SFD-1 isn't known for being a technicality monster, so I am fine with the 11 or so effective bits of the 1543, just wanted to know the Old Ukrainian Master was able to make the tone and timbre, macro dynamics, bass weight and midrange magical. Those are the most important qualities in a DAC to me. $850 USD isn't much for a DAC, so I'm not expecting the world, but wondering if anyone had any experience that I could use to triangulate my preferences with.
Silver Audiophile Posted June 2, 2024 Posted June 2, 2024 I have finally joined the Abbas owners club! Bought an Abbas 2.2 SE + DAC and an Abbas USB to Coax converter. Oh my, they're Goooood! Best DAC I've ever owned. 4
Silver Audiophile Posted June 2, 2024 Posted June 2, 2024 The sound from the Abbas 2.2 SE + DAC and Abbas USB-Coax converter is absolutely phenomenal! Two sample clips recorded this morning on my mobile. 2
Bisguittin Posted June 2, 2024 Posted June 2, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, Silver Audiophile said: I have finally joined the Abbas owners club! Bought an Abbas 2.2 SE + DAC and an Abbas USB to Coax converter. Oh my, they're Goooood! Best DAC I've ever owned. Congratulations on your wonderful acquisition. I've owned my Abbas 2.2SE for about 2 years now, and I must agree with you. Every single unit is subtly different thanks to its individualised boutique construction comprising many vintage parts, but the master definitely knows what he's doing. As you are experiencing, these are extraordinarily musical devices. Edited June 2, 2024 by Bisguittin 2 1
MattyW Posted June 2, 2024 Posted June 2, 2024 Yes, the Abbas DAC are very special units. It has been some time since I moved on my 2.3SE though I enjoyed my time with it. 2
Silver Audiophile Posted June 3, 2024 Posted June 3, 2024 9 hours ago, Bisguittin said: Congratulations on your wonderful acquisition. I've owned my Abbas 2.2SE for about 2 years now, and I must agree with you. Every single unit is subtly different thanks to its individualised boutique construction comprising many vintage parts, but the master definitely knows what he's doing. As you are experiencing, these are extraordinarily musical devices. The sum of all the individual selected vintage parts and design by Mr Abbas, he has voiced his DACs to how he thinks DACs ought to sound like. When I first connected up the Abbas, it was immediately apparent just what he was trying to achieve in terms of sonic character. I will attempt to describe it briefly here- A lively organic vintage vibe, with the best features of SET sweetness (tonal weight, timbre, and realism), orchestras never sounded better, vocals so seductive and to absolutely die for, absolutely zero fatigability, and I am unable to turn it up loud enough to quench my insatiable thirst for just more! 3 1
muon* Posted June 3, 2024 Posted June 3, 2024 He is a orchestral musician also as I understand it, and looks to reproduce his experience of the live sound of instruments and vocals. 3 1
Silver Audiophile Posted June 3, 2024 Posted June 3, 2024 (edited) 32 minutes ago, muon* said: He is a orchestral musician also as I understand it and looks to reproduce his experience of the live sound of instruments and vocals. Totally makes sense. Mr Abbas is a Ukrainian and is an orchestral musician. I had the pleasure of spending 7 weeks holidaying in Odessa, Ukraine (summer of '15). What a lovely group of people, with a city oozing with a rich culture, and monuments everywhere honouring intellects, poets, writers, musicians, and scientists. Below, the Odessa Opera House. The cafe I enjoyed breakfast faced this monument, and I spent many nights here being entertained by the endless talent of classical musicians, ballet, and opera performances. Edited June 3, 2024 by Silver Audiophile 4
Artnet Posted June 3, 2024 Posted June 3, 2024 Its been a while in responding appropriately or at all on this thread, mainly because I have just been enjoying the music from my Abbas DAC. Starting my journey with a 4.1SE like some to test the water and hear the magic. It was a thrilling journey! There was/is a lot of excitement on this thread around the TDA 1541 DAC's from Abbas. and I wanted to try one!! But wait I wanted to hear the large format one!! The demand and interest in a newer model , then a 3.2SE , created supply issues and blackout from the bombings, production issues. I hope now it is less problematic ? It took me 18 months nearly to decide pay and have built a 3.2SE. I stress most of this was because of the demand and waiting list. I am now very happy with a Abbas 3.2SE a model that already has been superseded in the large format Abbas DAC range with more underway I understand. There is a lot to be enjoyed in the TDA1541. It is open, musical, warm were it needs to be and enough detail to satisfy most musical genre. The 3.2 has 7 tubes, not for the faint hearted but a lot of fun to play with!! Its clearer to me that there is an Abbas sound and it may work for you or not.. In the several month wait i collected many tubes spent a ridiculous amount of money, yes i was keen to roll, but first I listened to what the creator intended and what was shipped with the DAC. I burnt in, ran in and around on what the Maestro had provided, excitement all the way I had not heard such dynamics in digital before. An excellent Abbas power cable helped working particularly well on his DAC. I use others elsewhere. Is this the peak of R2R TDA1541 Bliss? for me definitely for now. Kudos to Abbas Esoteric Audio, this is no magic but the sum of skill and experience of an Audio engineer and musician extraordinaire!. This is a terrifically built machine and represents excellent value. Importantly it sounds great. 1 4
Silver Audiophile Posted June 3, 2024 Posted June 3, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, Artnet said: Its been a while in responding appropriately or at all on this thread, mainly because I have just been enjoying the music from my Abbas DAC. Starting my journey with a 4.1SE like some to test the water and hear the magic. It was a thrilling journey! There was/is a lot of excitement on this thread around the TDA 1541 DAC's from Abbas. and I wanted to try one!! But wait I wanted to hear the large format one!! The demand and interest in a newer model , then a 3.2SE , created supply issues and blackout from the bombings, production issues. I hope now it is less problematic ? It took me 18 months nearly to decide pay and have built a 3.2SE. I stress most of this was because of the demand and waiting list. I am now very happy with a Abbas 3.2SE a model that already has been superseded in the large format Abbas DAC range with more underway I understand. There is a lot to be enjoyed in the TDA1541. It is open, musical, warm were it needs to be and enough detail to satisfy most musical genre. The 3.2 has 7 tubes, not for the faint hearted but a lot of fun to play with!! Its clearer to me that there is an Abbas sound and it may work for you or not.. In the several month wait i collected many tubes spent a ridiculous amount of money, yes i was keen to roll, but first I listened to what the creator intended and what was shipped with the DAC. I burnt in, ran in and around on what the Maestro had provided, excitement all the way I had not heard such dynamics in digital before. An excellent Abbas power cable helped working particularly well on his DAC. I use others elsewhere. Is this the peak of R2R TDA1541 Bliss? for me definitely for now. Kudos to Abbas Esoteric Audio, this is no magic but the sum of skill and experience of an Audio engineer and musician extraordinaire!. This is a terrifically built machine and represents excellent value. Importantly it sounds great. Congratulations on the acquiring the Abbas 3.2 SE DAC. In my earlier email to the Maestro, he informed me the best TDA1541 DAC he makes is the 3.2 SE/Signature. Your 3.2 SE in the large format looks like an absolute beast. I totally understand why you would buy a second or third variant Abbas DAC. Stay in the orbit of greatness! I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to buy another Abbas DAC. I may very well do so soon. In a more recent email, where I asked for advice regarding the warmest, full bodied, with good bass and mid-range presence, not too clinical, and most resembling my love of DHT tubes- his response below: I think PCM63 in your case will be a good choice. I am currently building a new model based on PCM63, which will contain a powerful output stage using 6080 tubes But this model will be more expensive than U1 It is called "Hermes", has replaceable modules, tube rectifiers to power the digital chips and it will cost 4800 USD, SE model Signature is much more expensive, more than 8000 USD There are 6 tubes, hand-made capacitors and many unique solutions. However, if the budget is limited, then the U1 DAC is the best choice It is not so large and heavy like HERMES and can be prepared within two weeks HERMES 400/440/200, 16kg DAC U1 400/200/100 9kg Regards, Abbas. Edited June 3, 2024 by Silver Audiophile 3
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