music hall 25.2 DAC mod

If it sounds good....then it sounds good! I got mine with the gold pins from Antique Electronic Supply in Tempe,AZ, however, it cost $23 which is more that the usual approx. $12 that I saw at other vendors. Maybe there's a cost differential for gold pins, not sure. They tested the tube before sending it for $1 and got it to me quickly since I'm in SF, but s/h was $10 (ouch!).

Any updates on mods for this DAC?

I am also very impressed with the DAC 25.2. I ended up rolling several tubes and settled on a NOS 7398 Mullard CV2493 military spec tube.

I also have recently bought a Music hall 25.2 dac.Wow what a nice sounding dac.Then I was looking into mods,then I decided to try a EAT tube.A expensive little guy.$225! Worth every penny! Took the dac up several price levels.I cant believe the music from my mini mac..What a bargain..

I replaced the tube by a Amperex 6922 Gold pins balanced triode sections (very important) since the tube only acts as a buffer after the operational amps sections Burr Brown OPA2134 etc. though the tube alone made a sizeable improvement I am toying around with OPA 627 doubled up in Brown Dog boards to replace OPA 2134's and replacing stock capacitors (eeack!) for Mundorf Audiophile series maybe even a Burson clock to reclock data at the input and cut down on jitter.
Also the diodes and rectifiers form the Power supply can be changed (SHatki) and will make an even bigger improvement.
I think the MH DAC 25.2 is simply a tweakers dream piece.
decent DAC to start with, then awesome when done with some mods and probably will compete with DAC costing 5 times maybe more.
I would like to hear a DAC that uses tubes for amplification instead of just a buffer stage, and see what it does for the sound, very partial of 6SN7'tube sound though must confess that 6922 family is a very nice tube also.
So far the best DAC with tubes I've heard is the CAL Alpha but does not have USB input bummer . . .
Also the Classé are very very nice but for the price the MH is a winner and a no brainer, if you get the upgrade itch just upgrade components inside for a few $ you're in heaven.

Good luck enjoy the music!

Gonzalo

It's great to hear positives about this DAC. I've had mine for about 2 months now and couldn't be happier. Tried swapping out the tube for a Matshshita and though the bass firmed up a bit, the top end lost air and life and never opened up. After what I've heard here, I just may try the JJ. With the stock tube and time on my hands, the unit has opened up several times and just gets better. Very resolving, detailed and nuanced. All the air I can ask for and no grain. I can only imagine (and I do, constantly) what some Burson opamp replacements can do along with the EAT tube but what I hear, right now, is simply wonderful.
My only complaint is getting used to the feeling that someone or something was in my room while listening to it: the musicians have a real and palatable presence.