The Designer Hand Crafted TDAC Vacuum Tube D/A Converter

Unique vacuum tube circuitry detects micro-dynamic details with properly timed ear pleasing recorded harmonics. Experience openness and air from digital sources like never before. The TDAC has a front plate switch to select single optical or single coax inputs (two digital data sources). A volume control to set the level for your preamplifier (full blast bypasses the control) or use the TDAC volume control to directly drive your power amplifiers. The TDAC has one pair of 24k Gold Analog L & R Outputs. The TDAC basically is the top 1/2 of the PreDAC without the remote control input selector section. Hand point to point wired tube circuitry under ceramic/gold sockets is encased in a solid cast aluminum black chassis. Filterless direct connection from DAC chip to tubes reveals recorded micro details and harmonic content. The TDAC uses the desirable high resolution I2S data bus internally between 192k input receiver chip and the best sounding Burr Brown advanced segment verification (jitter free) DAC chip. D/A conversion is performed at 192k even with slower data sources - now high resolution musical sound is possible with slow speed data like 44.1k Rhapsody.com. The high current external DC switching power supply with plug in 3-wire IEC power cord creates a silent disturbance free background. The tube circuitry design was precisely tweaked by ear to produce the richest most entertaining accurate sound, referencing a lifetime of vintage high end tube hi-fi equipment restoration & repair experience. Streaming PC audio sounds like CDs. CDs sound analog rich like high end LPs. Analog smooth ear pleasing sound with high definition digital detail. Not syrupy with tube harmonic blur, not over filtered dull like solid state DACs. The TDAC sounds alive, recorded sonic nuances other DACs miss are revealed. An unconventional D/A converter design with superior analog sound reproduction capabilities. The most sound improvement bang for your buck digital audio component in the $1000 price range. Makes all your digital sources sound out of this world amazing. Highly recommended for PC internet sourced music (I prefer the sound of 44.1k Rhapsody.com), Dishnetwork TV Satellite Sirus/XM and 2-channel movie/TV sound, iPod music though a Wadia 170 dock (the only one that produces iPod data for extrernal D/A conversion, up to 192k CD data, 2-channel only. SA or surround do not work - hifg end 2-channel sound always blows away over processed multi-channel.

Some connection examples (TDAC has a front plate switch to select optical or coax data inputs):

PC Internet Audio: Rhapsody.com, iTunes.com or PC/Mac stored music: [USB port] to [SPIFFY Data Converter] to [TDAC].

PC or MAC with Toslink Optical Data Output, Just plug it into the TDAC optical input.

[iPod] cradled in a [Wadia 170i transporter dock] - Wadia SPDIF data output plugged into the [TDAC].

CD & DVD Player: Single Data Line SPDIF, plug it in.

Satellite or cable tuner TV sound (some may need to select 2-chan mode) optical SPDIF data, plug it in.

Sirus/XM Satellite radio SPDIF data, plug it in.

Whole house wireless streaming digital audio SPDIF data, plug it in.

Multiple Optical data sources(4) >to $49 Psyclone remote control selector>to TDAC

Use your own separate preamplifier for volume control & multiple input selection, or use the TDAC volume control if you have 1 or 2 digital sources. Use another method if you have more than 2 optical data sources (like the Psyclone mentioned above). The TDAC performs equally well using optical or coax data - new jitter free advanced segment verification Burr Brown DAC chip blows away all former bests. No need for fancy data cables, or clock upgrades, jitter bit loss is no longer an issue.

Basic Facts and Specs
Only Sold Here. Handmade in USA: www.TubeAudioDesign.com $1499 list price to compare, Click the ON SALE Tab to order
120-240VAC operation, 3-wire normal IEC power cord included
Separate high current DC power supply promotes a deep ultra quiet revealing background
Small heavy duty metal construction: 4-3/4" wide, 5" deep, 4-1/4" tall
Everything packed weighs 3-pounds
Unique TAD (12AU7) tube circuitry design for out of this world sound
Tubes run warm to the touch, up to 150-deg, not sizzling hot like conventional tube designs
Tubes are easy to find normal audio types: Electro-Harmonix 12BH7, JJ brand ECC99 or old stock 12AU7 types. (not included, sold here). I have hand select matched pairs of 12BH7 Electro-Harmonix and matched JJ ECC99 tubes in stock. Remember to order tubes through the On Sale Page when ordering your TDAC. The 12BH7 offers deep fast bass response with entertaining harmonic rich high definition sound. The JJ brand ECC99 also is highly regarded, considered more musically rich than the EH - one JJ-99 flaw to consider (no return on tube purchases): the JJ ECC99 may distort slightly with some data sources, occasionally I find someone full blasting their PC digital data, turn the PC software controlled volume down a little to cure loud passage ECC99 distortion issues. Gold/Ceramic tube sockets are on top for easy tube changes. Try different 12AU7, ECC99, 12BH7 tubes to see what type you like best in your system.
The TDAC has a faceplate digital data input selector switch: up optical or down coax
1 pair of long barrel 24k gold L & R RCA Outputs
Faceplate knob is the master volume control to drive power amps, or full blast to bypass the TDAC volume control to use your own separate preamplifier for volume control. Can be made without a volume control too, just ask when ordering
192k/24-bit Cirrus SPDIF front end input receiver chip is internally I2S bus connected to a Burr Brown 1793 Advanced Segment Verification (jitter free) DAC chip - a technically superior up to date digital section, hand selected for how it sounds with my unique directly coupled tube circuitry. Balanced DAC chip audio output directly drives the unique tube circuit without filters. 192k DVD audio is possible, SACD surround sound does not work.
The Burr Brown 1793 new generation Advanced Segment Verification DAC offers jitter free performance that blows away yesterdays jitter sensitive chips. Digital chips advance in giant steps, mind boggling how much better advanced segment verification performs. Burr Brown spec sheet says a 100-Meter long data cable will not lose a single bit. Translation: Expensive data cables, expensive clock enhancements, high end digital DAC modifications are no longer necessary - full frame verification = zero bit loss, 100% perfect, digital performance improvement modifications not necessary. You could do your taxes through one of these D/A converters and get exactly the same 100% perfectly crunched digital answer every time.

Computer Digital Audio USB Port Adapter: The SPIFFY is a Plug & Play TAD custom modified cost effective no compromise Burr Brown chip USB to SPDIF adapter. Computer USB port powered. Windows PC and Mac compatible, plug & play, this USB streaming audio data converter offers true bit for bit jitter free performance. The best computer-USB to PreDAC interface device. This is a Behringer U-Control interface that is TAD reengineered for audiophile data use (stock design does not have RCA coax data output). The TAD modified version has SPDIF RCA Coax and Optical Output (use one, not both at the same time). The internal DAC is not used for conversion, USB data in = bit for bit SPDIF data out. Streaming internet music like Rhapsody.com or iTunes sounds better than CDs using the SPIFFY to connect PC to TDAC. The SPIFFY USB adapter is the best way to connect Mac or PC streaming audio data to the PreDAC using RCA coax or toslink optical cable.

Some Useful Tips
Tubes are always on - this promotes longer tube life in this design, silent idle current cleans the cathode surface with reflected electrons.

The TDAC has RCA output jacks - No XLR jacks built-in. 100% tube audio, no sterilizing op-amps in this design to drive XLRs.

XLR News Flash: A separate 2-Tube RCA to balanced XLR output converter box is being developed. I have a tube prototype circuit design that produces a perfect 50/50 phase split to drive balanced cables. Designed around old stock Russian ECC99 tubes, JJ makes new ECC99's too. Stay tuned the RCA>XLR box will be available soon.

So far I have not produced one TDAC that is 100% chassis ding free - meaning a tiny very light construction related scuff etc. occurred while I was drilling or assembling, can see if you look closely. I use protective masking materials and assemble on a static proof padded surface. Still someplace gets a small scuff - call it handmade character.

No Headphone jack. An external tube headphone amp is recommended for this caliber of gear.

Questions or concerns? I'm always available through email. Please read the information above a couple times to become completely familiar with the TDAC, most questions are answered above. I update this page when new information or better descriptions become available - I never supply a paper printed owners manual with TAD gear.

TDAC Terms
US-48 State customers are welcome to order using the secure click button shopping cart system. A signature is required to validate high value shipping insurance. No private information is kept on file, I use a hired secure private order processing system (my 8th flawless year with Coolcart). Outside US-48, or shipping to an alternate address (work or outside the US) is your own risk after the courier tracking marks the package delivered. INTERNATIONAL: Outside US requires mailing a Post Office purchased international money order in USD (no cards or PayPal for outside US sales), outside continental US postage will be calculated - outside US please email for details. 21-Day, $150 Restocking fee In-Home Trial Period for $1499 list sale price purchases(must be returned in new condition to qualify, excludes sale price purchases). An occasional light nick or scrape is part of the handmade charm. 2-year limited warranty covers internal circuitry against production defects. Chassis covers must never be removed, will void the warranty. Tubes are consumable parts, not covered, tubes will last a long time in this circuit -OK leaving the PreDAC on all the time (power conditioner with surge protection recommended). Carefully install digital optical cables and tubes (forcing rotationally incorrect can damage the sockets). Any sign of water damage (must use indoors, keep it dry) misuse or abuse, power surge/lightning damage or covers removed will void the warranty - can generally be repaired for a fee. System hum problems or complex system integration issues you hear on your end but cannot be duplicated here are not covered, need to isolate the cause on your end - I will advise, I've cured hundreds of faulty audio system grounds, some pretty bazaar, always externally caused. Shipping to the Wheaton, IL warranty center and back is not covered. US customers include a $15 check to cover warranty return shipping, international customers please email for warranty shipping rates. Please Email questions - many technical problems can be solved through communication. Plug and play, extremely simple, built to last.

Note: Delivery damage must be reported within 3-days from delivery date to process a claim. Please inspect contents immediately, after 3-days damage claims are not possible.

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