krazywaffle Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 23 minutes ago, DrMikeOz said: I've got the DAC U SE (which has the dual burr brown chips) as well as the 2.3 SE (TDA1541A) - I think the 2.3SE is better in terms of bass and does feel like there is more weight to the sound but honestly both are great, and I have kept the DAC U for my downstairs system. Thanks for the insight. Good to know that both 4.3SE and U SE perform notably well Seems it is worth focusing consideration on the 4.3SE or U SE as opposed to the non-SE 2.2 unit. Will be interesting to see where the TBD prices land for other SE units before making a decision/purchase.
MattyW Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 Yes, don't bother with no SE models. They're nice, but the SE tend to blow away anything else out there well over double their cost. 1
krazywaffle Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 Has anyone compared the 4.3 SE against the U SE (same price point)? And is the 2.3 SE worth $500USD more than 4.3 SE or U SE?
MattyW Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) Although Abbas is gaining something of a following here... They're not exactly mainstream product. Probably less than 20 in Australia right now? From everything I've heard from @DrMikeOz though I suspect between these models it's likely down to personal preference more than any of them genuinely being better than another. The 4.1SE is certainly incredible value. If I were to buy one today that's what I'd get. I'm certainly curious about the upcoming X though Edited June 18, 2021 by MattyW 1
cccrchairman Posted June 18, 2021 Author Posted June 18, 2021 @krazywaffle You are in safe hands with Abbas. Whichever way you go you will not be disappointed. 1
MattyW Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 Unless you get a DAC Z.... A mate of mine reckons it's just not that great. Fair enough as it's the bottom model with no special part choices. Always go the SE models. They're really special 1
krazywaffle Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 3 hours ago, cccrchairman said: You are in safe hands with Abbas. Whichever way you go you will not be disappointed. Thanks @cccrchairman Even with a 1.1? 3 hours ago, MattyW said: Unless you get a DAC Z.... A mate of mine reckons it's just not that great. Fair enough as it's the bottom model with no special part choices. Always go the SE models. They're really special This is somewhat unfortunate as I am tempted by the 1.1 as the 4.1 SE/, U SE, and 2.3 SE would all take quite a while to save up for but the 1.1 could be had soon (as soon as my other DAC sells or sooner as there is only one left). I’ve asked Abbas if possible to make a 1.1 SE. From what I can tell Abbas DACs tick all the key boxes in my mind to make it worthwhile giving it a go over other bigger brandname DACs. Maybe there aren’t many in AUS but none of them are being resold, which says something!
MattyW Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) Yes, I'm never letting go of mine. It truly is end game for me. The Abbas philosophy seems to be the same as Audio Note but taken to extremes. They build units that you'll never want to upgrade from. When something just sounds right, why change? It's the special voicing he does with part choices in the SE models which make them something truly special Edited June 18, 2021 by MattyW 1
krazywaffle Posted June 19, 2021 Posted June 19, 2021 Thanks for the confirmation regarding SE models. Waiting to hear back, hopefully he can make me a 1.1SE or 2.2SE.
cccrchairman Posted June 20, 2021 Author Posted June 20, 2021 Interesting description of the TDA1540 DAC on the Abbas forum and well as some rad pics from inside Abbas HQ. Exciting stuff. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=https://abbasaudio.listbb.ru/&prev=search 1 1
muon* Posted June 20, 2021 Posted June 20, 2021 14 minutes ago, cccrchairman said: Interesting description of the TDA1540 DAC on the Abbas forum and well as some rad pics from inside Abbas HQ. Exciting stuff. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=https://abbasaudio.listbb.ru/&prev=search Can you link the actual page? Loading is really slow over there for me ATM, for me anyway. 1
krazywaffle Posted June 20, 2021 Posted June 20, 2021 35 minutes ago, cccrchairman said: Interesting description of the TDA1540 DAC on the Abbas forum and well as some rad pics from inside Abbas HQ. Exciting stuff. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=https://abbasaudio.listbb.ru/&prev=search Thanks for the link Abbas confirmed that the new DAC X SE will cost more than the DAC 2.3 SE, although not yet sure how much more. Still waiting to hear back about price on the forthcoming "DAC 0.11 SE". This name could be a typo on the email he sent me and actually be "DAC 1.1 SE".
cccrchairman Posted June 20, 2021 Author Posted June 20, 2021 55 minutes ago, muon* said: Can you link the actual page? Loading is really slow over there for me ATM, for me anyway. See how you go here. Very slow to load for me also. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fabbasaudio.listbb.ru%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D73%26t%3D2338%26sid%3D9c647301b8d12d0890c6d69b0e463f9b&anno=2&prev=search&sandbox=1 2
muon* Posted June 20, 2021 Posted June 20, 2021 Thanks, Matt. That was a good read and interesting, he also has a nice way of describing things 1
MattyW Posted June 20, 2021 Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) Fantastic read that. The 1540 is certainly a musical sounding chip. I very much enjoy my NOS 1540D DAC. Edited June 20, 2021 by MattyW 2
airairy Posted June 26, 2021 Posted June 26, 2021 DAC3.1SE signature + D3a siemens output stage + AZ1 + EF12+ EZ11 + TDA1541S1 crown, black gate power tank, siemens- klangfilm transformers? any idea about this DAC that it's price Is so different from other Abbas dac 1
MattyW Posted June 26, 2021 Posted June 26, 2021 3.1 is top of the range. I believe he will customize these
airairy Posted June 26, 2021 Posted June 26, 2021 i have one of the version of 3.1 dac - so happy with that so i wonder what else i have the holo spring dac level 3 , as well but for me Abbas is much more in any aspect 1 2
krazywaffle Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 Finally in a position to buy an Abbas DAC but only the 0.11SE unit is within my budget. Despite this being the "lowest level" SE DAC made by Abbas (only other option is 1.1 DAC), do you still think the 0.11SE DAC would outperform similarly priced solid state DACs (e.g., Musical Fidelity M1, Denafrips Ares II, or Geisler Fein II) or other tube DACs? Planning to use Meridian 568.2MM Processor as USB-to-SPDIF converter until I save up enough for Match MC3+USB converter
MattyW Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 1 hour ago, krazywaffle said: Finally in a position to buy an Abbas DAC but only the 0.11SE unit is within my budget. Despite this being the "lowest level" SE DAC made by Abbas (only other option is 1.1 DAC), do you still think the 0.11SE DAC would outperform similarly priced solid state DACs (e.g., Musical Fidelity M1, Denafrips Ares II, or Geisler Fein II) or other tube DACs? Planning to use Meridian 568.2MM Processor as USB-to-SPDIF converter until I save up enough for Match MC3+USB converter I expect it would be a very nice sounding little unit. Not much info out there on that so if you do go ahead, please start a thread with pictures and your description of its performance.
krazywaffle Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 Thanks @MattyW. Anyone have experience with any of the following DACs that might provide a basis for comparison against the new (i.e., very limited information) Abbas Audio 0.11SE DAC?: (1) Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC II, (2) Geiseler Klein III with Kraftwork PSU, or (3) Musical Fidelity M1? Thanks heaps
muon* Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) The .11SE is based on the Philips TDA1543 dac. Looks pretty cute. https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://abbasaudio.listbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f%3D2%26t%3D1543 Edited July 14, 2021 by muon* 1
krazywaffle Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 18 minutes ago, muon* said: The .11SE is based on the Philips TDA1543 dac. Thanks heaps @muon* Based on various forums I get the impression that people prefer the performance of the TDA1541 over the TDA1543?
Recommended Posts