1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 138060-3787

A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio

I felt strongly that I wanted to inform the Gon members about a new DAC that ranks with the very best on the market regarding performance, but costs around $2,000.00.  The Lab12 DAC1 SE was compared to three reference level DACS that retail for over $12.000.00 in my review for hometheaterreview.com and was at least on the same level sonicly, if not better.  This DAC from Greece is not just "good for the money" but competes with virtually anything on the market regardless of price!

For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review.  If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
teajay
d2girls's avatar
d2girls
641 posts
 
Honestly it's just general advice for anyone running class a. I leave my Pass Labs XA30.5 on 24/7, even though it has a idle switch where it draws far less power. But I just like coming home and being able to enjoy my music right away! Call me a millennial that wants instant gratification, because that's what I am! xd And I intend to sell the amp in the next year. So def not worried.
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Hey Al,

Truth be told, I never turn off SS amps including the XA-25, except if I'm going on a long trip.  Yes, the XA-25 comes mainly back on song after about a hour. However, to get to the pristine level of performance it can offer takes a lot more time in my experience. 

I had a pair of Threshold SA-1 mono-blocks that remained turned on for close to 20 years and the caps were still good and going strong.  I believe that my never turning off the amps the caps last longer and are less likely to dry out.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
2,651 posts
 

celander,

I think nearly everyone who reads this is aware that reviewers get a substantial discount, and the "high value" comment assumes that the reader is looking for a component that is in the price range of the piece under review. If it isn't in the readers price range, they are likely reading the review just for entertainment. I do that frequently.   

snopro
315 posts
 
Hi almarg,
To bad you didn't wait for the new First Watt SIT-3. I'm on the waiting list. Should be getting it in October, hopefully. Nelson is only making 250 of them.  
A few reviewers think very highly of it. Stating that the tonal balance is quite tube like but, still providing detail, bass, and control like good SS provides.

Teajay, maybe ask for a review.
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Hey celander,

You do say interesting things in very peculiar ways.  To address your statements:

1) I believe most people in this hobby know that people in the industry, including professional reviewers, get discounts on what they buy for their personal use.  This is not breaking news.

2) If I had to pay full price I still would have purchased the review pieces that brought my system and enjoyment of music to a higher level.  My great interest is finding killer products for reasonable amounts of money.

3) My definition of value is build quality/performance compared to price and if it out performs much more expensive pieces, it's a great bargain.

4) I do not understand your statement at all regarding "investors in boutique audio companies" The owners of these companies have nothing to do regarding the reviewing process.  For a matter of fact, the boutique companies that I have historically setup reviews with did not seek me out at all. I got wind of their products and was highly motivated to review their gear.  The small guys cannot pay for the slick advertising, the website I review for does not tie in advertising dollars as way of getting a review done at all, therefore they are excited and take the risk of a bad review to get the public to know about their product.
More to discover