cccrchairman Posted May 15, 2021 Author Posted May 15, 2021 35 minutes ago, MattyW said: I would.... But I don't possess any verniers. Best I can do is get within a mill or two using a ruler.... Me neither. A rough idea would be appreciated.
Artnet Posted May 15, 2021 Posted May 15, 2021 21 minutes ago, cccrchairman said: A rough idea would be appreciated. I think 17mm diameter, measured with a cheap plastic pair. 1
cccrchairman Posted May 16, 2021 Author Posted May 16, 2021 16 hours ago, Artnet said: I think 17mm diameter, measured with a cheap plastic pair. Many thanks. RCA's to my amp are 20mm centres so not much of a tolerance there. 1
MattyW Posted May 16, 2021 Posted May 16, 2021 1 hour ago, cccrchairman said: Many thanks. RCA's to my amp are 20mm centres so not much of a tolerance there. Sounds like they'll fit though which is nice. I ended up using right angle adapters so mine would fit. My passive pre has the RCA's very close together.
MattyW Posted May 18, 2021 Posted May 18, 2021 Well, there's no doubt about it but the Abbas SPDIF cable is the best I've used. Every bit as enjoyable as the pure silver tripple shielded MS Audio cable I was using, and most importantly without the distortion that was present in some tracks. Other cables I've tried didn't approach the MS Audio so I'm very happy with this. 2
Artnet Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 On 01/04/2021 at 9:38 PM, xlr8or said: my recommendations for tube rolling the DAC 4.1SE Thank you @xlr8or for your recommendation, finally got a GEC 6X5G CV572 and a 6X4, WOW that's an improvement, not insignificant dollars wise but worth it. @cccrchairman I have to run it with the lid off for now and will work something out further down the line. 1
xlr8or Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Artnet said: Thank you @xlr8or for your recommendation, finally got a GEC 6X5G CV572 and a 6X4, WOW that's an improvement, not insignificant dollars wise but worth it. @cccrchairman I have to run it with the lid off for now and will work something out further down the line. Please share some photos as I need to drool a little after just receiving my jab. Edited June 5, 2021 by xlr8or 1 2
cccrchairman Posted June 5, 2021 Author Posted June 5, 2021 As mentioned previously Abbas very generously sent me a replacement lid due to customs damaging the original. At his suggestion I opted for the 2.3 lid with the hole to accommodate the big bottles. Maybe email him. On another note I have some Abbas RCA’s on order. Had to be done given the comments here and my experience of his components. Currently running some Duelund 50. The bar for the Abbas has to be pretty high to best these interconnects. 1 1
Artnet Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 1 hour ago, xlr8or said: I need to drool Grey old day in Melbourne heating is on. Forgive the quality 43 minutes ago, cccrchairman said: Abbas very generously sent me a replacement lid due to customs damaging the original. At his suggestion I opted for the 2.3 lid with the hole to accommodate the big bottles. Maybe email him. On another note I have some Abbas RCA’s on order. Had to be done given the comments here and my experience of his components. Currently running some Duelund 50. The bar for the Abbas has to be pretty high to best these interconnects. I have emailed re a lid He will be getting a few done as a common request now. Abbas is a busy man. Have been swapping out his RCA's with Aurealis, Dueland 50 and R3i AgCul, hmmm, close contest. I think the Tube upgrade was more profound. Will give some more hours but interconnects are very system dependent I think and all 3 are great cables. The mix is proving interesting, all 3 very neutral but differing sound stage qualities for me. Enjoy the Abbas when it arrives interested to hear what you think. 4 1
xlr8or Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 Yep - that GEC Hammersmith 6X5G ST shaped rectifier really stands out for both sound quality and looks. Fully agree, it transformed my Audio Note DAC 2.1x Signature in the exact same way. Congratulations on the purchase. 1
Artnet Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 Yep thoroughly enjoying 21 minutes ago, xlr8or said: that GEC Hammersmith 6X5G ST Thanks again for the recommendation. 1
MattyW Posted June 5, 2021 Posted June 5, 2021 (edited) Yes, the Aurealis Audio Duelund 50, AgCuL and Abbas Audio are my favorite interconnects. I use all 3 in my system in various different places. I find I prefer a mix of those 3 in the chain rather than all the same interconnects. Those 3 are all the best I've heard to date anyway. All 3 are quite different sounding in my system. Abbas between DAC and Pre, Duelund 50 to the amp which drives my fullrange and tweeters, and R3i AgCuL to the woofers..... Or do I have the cables for each amp mixed up? Can't remember. Edited June 5, 2021 by MattyW
krazywaffle Posted June 15, 2021 Posted June 15, 2021 Have the opportunity to purchase an Abbas Audio DAC1.1 but wondering if anyone here has used this version? Does the Abbas Audio DAC accept multiple digital inputs or USB only? Up-sample input and/or oversample output? Would you expect the DAC1.1 to outperform a reputable DAC (e.g., Meridian)? With or without tube rolling? Thanks for any feedback.
MattyW Posted June 15, 2021 Posted June 15, 2021 (edited) A single coax input only. If you want additional inputs you need to run something like a Mutec MC-3+USB. The entire Abbas design ethos is sacrificing features in the name of overall improved sound quality. That said they used to have a DAC3.x which had additional inputs though I don't believe that is available any longer. I'd personally be looking at the 2.1, 2.3, U and 4.1 models. Those are guaranteed incredible performers though if you do get a 1.1 we'd appreciate you sharing your experience. I don't see the single input as an issue as it's just incredible the difference that a MC3+USB can make with a high quality OCXO clock and LPS..... True with pretty much any DAC it's used with. Edited June 16, 2021 by MattyW 1
krazywaffle Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 Thanks for the informative reply @MattyW Based on the reply from Abbas Audio that the DAC1.1 has “24/96 input receiver” and “PCM56 it is honest 16 bit dac” I am more so tempted to grab one of his tube-based USB-to-SPDIF converters and continuing using the Sigma-Delta 24/96 up-sampling DAC in Meridian 568.2MM Processor. Thinking that the tube-based USB-to-SPDIF converter will add a desirable tonal colouration to the digital signal before being processed by Meridian DAC. Also, this opens the option for obtaining an SPDIF-only Abbas Audio DAC down the road if/when he makes more 2.1 or 2.3 units or used one comes for sale, which seems unlikely Has anyone used an Abbas Audio tube-clock-based USB-to-SPDIF converter > solid state DAC?
DrMikeOz Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 12 minutes ago, krazywaffle said: Thanks for the informative reply @MattyW Based on the reply from Abbas Audio that the DAC1.1 has “24/96 input receiver” and “PCM56 it is honest 16 bit dac” I am more so tempted to grab one of his tube-based USB-to-SPDIF converters and continuing using the Sigma-Delta 24/96 up-sampling DAC in Meridian 568.2MM Processor. Thinking that the tube-based USB-to-SPDIF converter will add a desirable tonal colouration to the digital signal before being processed by Meridian DAC. Also, this opens the option for obtaining an SPDIF-only Abbas Audio DAC down the road if/when he makes more 2.1 or 2.3 units or used one comes for sale, which seems unlikely Has anyone used an Abbas Audio tube-clock-based USB-to-SPDIF converter > solid state DAC? i've got one of his USB->SPDIF converters but i've only ever used with one of his DACs. I think its pretty good for the money- i think the Mutec is a superior bit of kit but its over twice the price.
MattyW Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 9 minutes ago, DrMikeOz said: i've got one of his USB->SPDIF converters but i've only ever used with one of his DACs. I think its pretty good for the money- i think the Mutec is a superior bit of kit but its over twice the price. Have you paired yours with an external clock yet Mike? A very noticeable improvement..... Ditto changing the power supply for a 6VDC Fared Super 3 . More gains to be had 1
DrMikeOz Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 Just now, MattyW said: Have you paired yours with an external clock yet Mike? A very noticeable improvement..... Ditto changing the power supply for a 6VDC Fared Super 3 . More gains to be had not yet! My wife has put a moratorium on new audio gear for a while
MattyW Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, DrMikeOz said: not yet! My wife has put a moratorium on new audio gear for a while The nice thing about clocks and power supplies..... Easily hidden down the back of the entertainment unit. Out of sight and audible changes easily explained away by a cable swap Always nice to know there's still big gains to be had with the Mutec despite already being the better sounding solution. Edited June 17, 2021 by MattyW
krazywaffle Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 Thanks for the feedback regadding the Abbas Audio USB-to-SPDIF converter. Need to contact shop to inquire if this unit passes through native digital file resolution to DAC up to 24/192 (no DSD). Anyone compare Abbas Audio 1.1-2.2SE DACs vs Eastern Electric Minimatrix Plus (selectable tube or SS) DAC or Denafrips Ares II (SS but selectable NOS or OS) DAC?
MattyW Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 Denafrips Ares II doesn't come close to the 2.2SE. Might more interesting to compare with a Pontus or Terminator. I've not heard of that other one.
DrMikeOz Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 Just now, MattyW said: Denafrips Ares II doesn't come close to the 2.2SE. Might more interesting to compare with a Pontus or Terminator. I've not heard of that other one. Agreed - I tried a Holospring II tuned edition (about 4k worth) and the Abbas completely outclassed it in every aspect. 1
MattyW Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, DrMikeOz said: Agreed - I tried a Holospring II tuned edition (about 4k worth) and the Abbas completely outclassed it in every aspect. If you ever get to try clock + Fared Super3 upgrades with your Mutec it raises these to a level which actually makes it seem like what you had before was unlistenable... Though only in comparison. To be fair though those two work out to $3,500 of upgrades. Nearly doubles the cost of the overall solution. Even so..... Very worthwhile. Then again, Mutec + LPS + clock will raise the performance of any DAC they're used with. Edited June 17, 2021 by MattyW
krazywaffle Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 2 hours ago, MattyW said: Denafrips Ares II doesn't come close to the 2.2SE. Thanks for the insight; however, it is unclear whether or not Abbas Audio will make more 2.2SE units (and I doubt a used one is going to come for sale). Perhaps an inquiry via eBay is warranted. Might I inquire how much was paid for the 2.2SE? Does 2.2SE handle and/or up-sample to 24/96 or 24/192? Also SPDIF input only?
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