Cwlondon,
If you are asking about the Mininmax DAC, it only has (1) tube, so cost is very inexpensive. Not sure yet on lifespan, but I don't think they run the tube very high.
As far as a second place DAC goes, the Kora, EAD and Counterpoint have remained through many DAC shoot outs.
I missed a couple of recent DACs from my above post, add:
Cambridge DACMagic
MHDT Havana and Paradisea
Wyred DAC 1
Just remember that all of these were in my system, my room and my tastes in sound. YMMV
If you are asking about the Mininmax DAC, it only has (1) tube, so cost is very inexpensive. Not sure yet on lifespan, but I don't think they run the tube very high.
As far as a second place DAC goes, the Kora, EAD and Counterpoint have remained through many DAC shoot outs.
I missed a couple of recent DACs from my above post, add:
Cambridge DACMagic
MHDT Havana and Paradisea
Wyred DAC 1
Just remember that all of these were in my system, my room and my tastes in sound. YMMV