Any vintage DACs worth owning?

[watchnerd]

If I want to go full retro style in my system:

Are there any vintage DACs worth owning?

I'm sure none will measure as well as a modern $200 DAC, but are there some Golden Age of hi fi tank build DACs that are good enough for basic Redbook streaming?

 

[AudioStudies]

I like the Enlightened Audio Design (EAD) DACs.

 

[HiFidFan]

Eastern Electric DAC were all the rage years ago. They were even available with a tube!

http://www.eeaudio.com/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194599230580?hash=item2d4f049c74:g:EW0AAOSw4zlhsqr2

 

[BDWoody]

Thread 'Mark Levinson No 360S DAC Review' https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/mark-levinson-no-360s-dac-review.10842/

 

[caught gesture]

How about the Pacific Microsonics Model One?

 

[ThatM1key]

The Phillips 960 DAC/Marantz CDA-94 DAC looks promising. Late 1980s machine with balanced outputs & optical input.

 

[Doodski]

Bryston BDA1 or a BDA2 and here too DA converter. They are available used fairly often and come in silver and black.

 

[NiagaraPete]

Beresford TC-7520 and I just happen to have one for sale on ebay.ca

 

[Veri]

I own an "old" audial AYA (Aya II) DAC with TDA1541A vintage chip. It's a fun thing to own if you're into vintage stuff.

 

[watchnerd]

Eastern Electric DAC were all the rage years ago. They were even available with a tube!

http://www.eeaudio.com/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194599230580?hash=item2d4f049c74:g:EW0AAOSw4zlhsqr2

That doesn't seem so vintage. It looks new.

 

[watchnerd]

I was thinking something like this:

ESOTERIC D-30 D/A Converter used 1995 Japan audio/music | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ESOTERIC D-30 D/A Converter used 1995 Japan audio/music at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Unfortunately that model is the wrong voltage, so I'd have to get a converter.

 

[HiFidFan]

That doesn't seem so vintage. It looks new.

What do you consider vintage? I remember they were oft discussed over 10 years ago.

 

[watchnerd]

What do you consider vintage? I remember they were oft discussed over 10 years ago.

20+ years old or 20th century

 

[Doodski]

I was thinking something like this:

ESOTERIC D-30 D/A Converter used 1995 Japan audio/music | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ESOTERIC D-30 D/A Converter used 1995 Japan audio/music at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Unfortunately that model is the wrong voltage, so I'd have to get a converter.

Wowow. When you said vintage DAC you really meant vintage.

 

[HiFidFan]

20+ years old or 20th century

That's like 1,400 years in DAC time

 

[Robin L]

Apple dongle.
No one has to see it.

 

[watchnerd]

Apple dongle.
No one has to see it.

Meaning stick the Apple dongle in an old case?

 

[pkane]

Camelot Technologies Uther 2.0 DAC:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-of-camelot-technologies-uther-2-0-dac.10849/

https://www.stereophile.com/content/camelot-technology-uther-v20-da-processor

If you can find one, that is...

 

[audio2design]

Define "worth". For audio quality, not really.

 

[mhardy6647]

Bryston BDA1 or a BDA2 and here too DA converter. They are available used fairly often and come in silver and black.

I... I... I use one of those. It's vintage?!

BDA-1 plus DVD-1730 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

Meaning stick the Apple dongle in an old case?

Add a few tubes and heat the filaments off a little transformer, too, while you're at it.