Abbas Audio Owners & Discussion Thread

[xlr8or]

Just now, MattyW said:

Send me the autograph and photos please.

 

I can bring over the Terminator OST and we can play it through your Abbas DAC if you like. I also have plenty of cyborg tubes we could try. 

[gemini07]

15 hours ago, Lazz said:

Maybe you should do a side by side before making comments like this. I have the termi dac 1 and the difference to other quality dacs i have trialled and owned was huge, a bigger improvement in sound quality that i've ever heard. Not subtle.

 

If you'd like to do a compare and contrast I'm happy to provide my Abbas 2.3SE. Please PM me if you want to try this. (I'm not  interested in seeing which one's 'the best' as our systems, rooms, tastes etc, will vary.) 

 

I have had my Abbas for about ten days now and have noticed gradual differences take place. I'll try to write up a spiel maybe over this weekend.

[Lazz]

That sounds like a fun idea. Will try and work out a gtg sometime. Cheers

[MattyW]

This will be interesting. I hope you start a GTG thread. We be nice to read about 

 

Do you have a DDC in front of your 2.3SE @gemini07? The Abbas gear really benefits from an improved signal, and reclocking with quality OCXO clocks etc. The Denafrips gear is more advanced and only a little better with a better DDC or so I've read though it's quite pronounced with my 2.2SE. It certainly improves and settles in over a couple of weeks use too  

Edited October 15, 2021 by MattyW

[gemini07]

No DDC / reclocking / upgraded power supplies for me at this stage. I am enjoying the combination of gear I have recently put together and still want to assess it all over a longer period of time.

 

I did try a PS Audio SPP3 reconditioner which was pretty good but not quite what I wanted. I also have very limited space as my setup is an integrated HT / stereo system.

[MattyW]

You’ll get there in time, if you get the urge to tinker.

[Artnet]

3 hours ago, Lazz said:

work out a gtg sometime

Sounds a lot friendlier than a DAC off  and would also be interested to hear about the experience.

 

[Lazz]

Just now, Artnet said:

Sounds a lot friendlier than a DAC off  and would also be interested to hear about the experience.

 

No way anyones getting there dacs off while i'm around.lol

[muon*]

So......not a normal SNA GTG

[Artnet]

A term I heard somewhere?  and was referencing the humor

 

Clarification:  A  DAC off,  referring to the term Bake off  or cooking competition.   DAC  sounds like Dak, one is a Digital to Analogue Converter the other according to Collins is "Australian, an informal name for trousers"

 

I think the experience of a GTG would be interesting. 

Certainly  the Abbas DAC's are a little unknown but cant recommend highly enough! Have heard a Terminator in a good system and was impressed, but really enjoy my 4.1SE, completely different setup though.

System dependency aside (if you can),  hearing a component you are familiar with in another system  Good idea.

 

Edit attempt to remove any personal reference Lost for words ! now

Edited October 15, 2021 by Artnet
Lost for words!

[MattyW]

1 hour ago, Artnet said:

I pinched this expression from Matty in another thread.

I think the experience of a GTG would be interesting. 

Certainly  the Abbas DAC's are a little unknown but cant recommend highly enough! Have heard a Terminator in a good system and was impressed, but really enjoy my 4.1SE, completely different setup though.

System dependency aside (if you can),  hearing a component you are familiar with in another system  Good idea.

Ha, sounds like something I’d say.  
 

C’mon. Get those DAC’s off! Deep down, you know you want to!

 

Move round behind that unit, slip your interconnects in!  
 

I better not get started….. then again you never know unless you try switching DACs. It could be a really good fit in, ah, your system.
 

Too far?

Edited October 15, 2021 by MattyW

[MattyW]

Interesting…. Abbas have a DAC 5.0SE listed…… I wonder where this sits in the range

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DAC-5-0-SE-abbasaudio-5687-5R4-EZ80-AD1865K-black-gate-niobium-audionote-/174975017729?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Edited October 16, 2021 by MattyW

[lenticularis]

On 15/10/2021 at 9:06 PM, MattyW said:

Ha, sounds like something I’d say.  
 

C’mon. Get those DAC’s off! Deep down, you know you want to!

 

Move round behind that unit, slip your interconnects in!  
 

I better not get started….. then again you never know unless you try switching DACs. It could be a really good fit in, ah, your system.
 

Too far?

Question is, are yo interconnects fully balanced when y'all gettin' yo DACs off? 

[Xecuter]

Anyone in SEQ got an Abbas and wanna come visit me to compare to rockna WD signature balanced or the Holo May kte3?

 

Doing a bit of a DAC shootout and curious to see if Abbas stacks up.

[MattyW]

46 minutes ago, lenticularis said:

Question is, are yo interconnects fully balanced when y'all gettin' yo DACs off? 

Just plug it in, try it on for size.

 

You reckon it would be worthwhile starting an Abbas GTG / shootout thread? Sounds fun.

Edited October 16, 2021 by MattyW

[muon*]

16 hours ago, MattyW said:

Interesting…. Abbas have a DAC 5.0SE listed…… I wonder where this sits in the range

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DAC-5-0-SE-abbasaudio-5687-5R4-EZ80-AD1865K-black-gate-niobium-audionote-/174975017729?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

In the description he refers to it as custom DAC 4 SE.

 

Uses the AD1865 DA Converter, and the new audio note niobium resistors (along with AB's).

[Artnet]

45 minutes ago, muon* said:

In the description he refers to it as custom DAC 4 SE.

 

Uses the AD1865 DA Converter, and the new audio note niobium resistors (along with AB's).

DAC 4 SE. Typo?

AD1865 sounds interesting,  don't know anything about this chip and an AD1864 option.

Its looking like a hotted 4.1 with more bits plus some extras. Could be good.

 

 

[MattyW]

40 minutes ago, Artnet said:

DAC 4 SE. Typo?

AD1865 sounds interesting,  don't know anything about this chip and an AD1864 option.

Its looking like a hotted 4.1 with more bits plus some extras. Could be good.

 

 

Certainly looks interesting to me. If I had the need for another top DAC…..

Edited October 17, 2021 by MattyW

[Artnet]

Well only just started reading up on the AD1865.  Has been implemented in some good CDP's and in some Audio Note and Lampi DAC's to mention a couple.

Sounds like another GTG worthy DAC!

Yes don't really need another one at the moment, but wouldn't rule it out!

 

[cccrchairman]

Someone has to step up and buy the 5.0SE and report. Maybe one for the rev heads. I am waiting his new 6J7+ 6BL7 + 5Y3 phono.

[MrBurns84]

5 hours ago, MattyW said:

Certainly looks interesting to me. If I had the need for another top DAC…..

Go on..u need another Abbas for the second system. @MattyW

[MattyW]

1 hour ago, MrBurns84 said:

Go on..u need another Abbas for the second system. @MattyW

No…. I really don’t

[gemini07]

My review of the Abbas 2.3SE dac

 

Hi all,

 

This is a review of my recently purchased Abbas 2.3SE dac. This arrived about two weeks ago direct from the Ukraine and has just about completed its minimum requirement of 100 hours of local burn in. Purchase cost was about AUS $3,200, with about US $80 for freight and insurance.

 

Firstly, I am neither a technical expert not a professional reviewer so I have kept my observations unashamedly subjective. If you are interested in numbers and stat's don't bother asking. And probably best not to ask Abbas either. You might not like his answers... Also, when I first got the dac, the sound was a bit loose and flabby, but this clearly improved over the duration, so prospective buyers need to be patient.

 

Some context.

 

After I bought my WAR Reference speakers (via SNA) I realised that these provided a higher level of detail and presence than I had experienced previously, especially via the Raven metal tweeters. However, music with higher level dynamics, via both my Audia Flight One CDP and my Lumin U1 Mini streamer, verged on presenting as strained or edgy. After some rearrangement of the speakers and a bit of front end damping, I still felt that a stand-along high quality dac might alleviate the issue and add to the overall sound quality. I did not want to sacrifice too much of the top end just to tame the speakers, and I was also worried that the mid range and bass could come across as unduly flabby if I erred on the side of subdued tonality. Most importantly I wanted to have as 'natural' a sound as was possible with the existing gear I have (ie no new purchases for a while yet...). 

 

I had previously owned the following dac's, albeit with different amps and speakers:

 

NAD M51

Bryston BDA 1

Benchmark dac 3 HGC

 

Strangely, the dac that I previously had enjoyed the most was the one in my Audia Flight One, which I used via the digital input. All of the others seemed artificially bright and edgy, with minimal sound-stage and average tonal richness.

 

Review conditions.

 

My room is about 6.00m x 5.00m with minimal sound damping at this stage. My gear is placed along the longer wall with the speakers about 2.4m apart. I listen from approx 2.9m away. I should add that I used the same speakers and stereo amp (vintage Accuphase E305-V) for home theatre, so there is a large TV impacting on the stereo imaging and sound stage.

 

Review playlist (I tried to vary it a bit, sort of).

 

Female vocals. I selected these to capture a variety of vocal genres and voice timbres, as well as how they integrated with a mixture of instruments. Retaining the essential character of each unique voice was important.

 

Diamonds and Rust (Joan Baez)

Seven Years (Norah Jones)

Liberty (Anette Askvik)

I Put A Spell On You (Kandace Springs)

 

Male vocals. Just the two; one a more earthy style to integrate with different guitars, sax and flute, and the other more highly pitched to capture the accompanying piano work and coordination with female backing. 

 

A House by the River (Allan Taylor)

Smalltown Boy (Sanders Bohlke)

 

Mainstream rock I was looking mainly for bass, scale, presence, instrument separation and integration, whilst maintaining coherence and musical balance - all while still sounding as natural and 'live' as possible.

 

Private Investigations (Dire Straits)

When Doves Cry (Prince)

All Along the Watchtower (Jimmy Hendrix)

What is this Game (Yolanda Ingley)

 

Overall impressions.

 

Well, I got what I was looking for! Pianos, guitars, and drums were both dynamic and rivetingly real. The opening bars of Prince and Jimmy just made me jump! Individual male and female vocals at all times were gorgeous and unconstrained. The almost intoxicatingly smoky voice of Kandace Springs and massive scale is visceral. The earthy and alluring tones of Norah Jones are just delightful. But the ability to emote go to Yolanda Ingley and Sanders Bohlke.  The pulsating rhythm and beat of Yolanda reaching a huge crescendo is unforgettable. And the loneliness of Sanders Bohlke's restrained cry-out is almost intimidating. If you're not familiar with them, give them a try. 

 

Finally, Abbas (his first name) produces a range of dacs, all with their own character and price point. Whilst there is considerable information on his website, you are best served contacting him directly. I found he would reply very quickly, albeit sometimes briefly. He is a busy man and prides himself on his designs and his quality of workmanship. In this regard I think he has succeeded admirably and provides a genuine alternative to mainstream SS gear.

[MattyW]

What is your source driving the Abbas DAC? I have found that different DDC’s make a significant difference with Abbas DAC’s, as does use of  high precision external master clocks for clicking the SPDIF connection.  
 

Abbas TDA1541 DAC’a are breathtaking in their performance. I don’t believe I’ll ever want for another. 

As for DDC’s, it I were too but not aid probably go with a Denafrips GAIA though at the time I got mine the Mutec MC3+USB was the most flexible choice for me. It’s not been missed with a Farad Super3 LPS and has an AfterDark Emperor Double Crown + another Farad Super3 paired to it. Comparatively expensive solution compared to the GAIA.

Edited October 18, 2021 by MattyW

[maximus]

Great to hear you're enjoying the Abbas, I keep reading all the wonderful reviews, seems like the dac is a perfect marriage with the WAR Audio 's. Says a lot about its quality and also incredible value for money with the Lumin combo.

 

Frank.