MSRP $5,000
R2R Non oversampling Tube DAC
Tubadour IV – It is a Non Oversampling DAC based on Analog Devices best sounding and most musical chip.
Reviews
Audio Mirror’s Tubadour IV SE Nonoversampling Tube DAC has been reviewed by Stereotimes. See the review >>
The TUBADOUR IV SE DAC has been reviewed by AudioKeyREVIEWS! Magazine. Check out the whole article >>
Description
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This is an all format DAC with tube IV conversion stage. It employs AES, Coax. Optical, USB and I2S input. 16-32 bit up to 384kHz. It plays natively PCM. DSD can be played by using the option “convert on the fly” on most of the music players. For example Audirvana, Amarra, Foobar, Roon, Euphony and many others can do this “on the fly”. Conversion doesn’t compromise the quality in any way. So yes you can enjoy DSD files also. They say “The Best Cap is a no Cap”, so you have it now. No capcitors in the signal path. It uses a output transformers and totally redesigned tube stage. Transformers are Lundahl, considered one of the best transformers. It also allows for both balanced and unbalanced outputs with best performance. The sound is more natural and rich. Much more resolution and tonality. Sound feels like it flows so easy with no artifacts and fatigue. The other big upgrade is the USB re-clocker built in. It re-clocks all the signals coming from USB source. Improves by a lot the definition, separation, focus and texture. Lowers the jitter by substantional margin. DAC like the previous model includes Z-Foil “naked”  Vishay resistors in the IV and tube section. It has better lower noise power supplies for the USB and I2S inputs with better OSCON caps. IEC power inlet is Furutech – Gold. One of the new features is the IsoAcoustics “GAIA” vibration absorbing/isolation feet. They improve the clarity and focus of the sound. It’s like you replaced the interconnect cable with a High-End one. Silver RCA and XLR for balanced and unbalanced outputs. After long journey for many years, trying ESS Sabre dac chips, Delta sigma dacs over and non-oversampling dacs, single bit and multibit dacs we are back to the best sounding chip – Analog devises multibit R2R DAC. This is the most analog, musical and no artifically sounding DAC.  Power cord is not supplied.
PRODUCT INFO
Sample rates:  
 
S/PDIF, AES         44.1 – 192kHz
Optical/Tosslink   44.1 – 96kHz
USB, I2S, PCM   44.1 – 384kHz
 
DSD – coverterted by player to PCM “on the fly”
Bit depth:
 
Up to 24 bit over S/PDIF, AES, Tosslink
Up to 32 bit over USB and I2S
Outputs:
 
 
1 XLR balanced 1.8v 100 ohm impedance
1 RCA unbalanced 0.9v 100 ohm impedance
 
Dimensions:
 
13 x 12 x 3 inches
DAC USER MANUAL
TUBADOUR IV SE NOS R2R TUBE DAC
This is a non-oversampling, all format, vacuum tube DAC.
It is based on Analog devices AD1865N-K flagship DAC chip. This is the best and most analog and musical sounding DAC chip ever made.
DAC uses one ECC88 tube. Only one tube!!! Any of the following tubes can be used as substitute: E88CC, 6DJ8, ECC88, 6922 and 6H23P. DAC output is around 1.5V. Since the DAC uses output transformers other tubes can be used, but won’t perform as well as the mentioned above ones because it is not only important to have the same pinout, but other specs like internal resistance/plate resistance.
DAC has a built in USB re-clocker. It reclocks all signals coming from a USB source. It improves a lot the resolution, tonality, balance, separation and dynamics. Lowers siginicantly the jitter.
DAC has a build in slow ramping up high voltage (HT) supply to prevent  shortening the tubes life. Due to this the DAC will perform with full scale level and sound quality after approximately 10 min after it’s turned ON. Do not leave the DAC ON for long period of time (24 hrs. or so) if you are not listening to music. This will only shorten the tubes life.
DAC has a built in delay when turned ON.
Tube equipment is the opposite of solid state one which sounds better if it’s warmed up for long period of time. 15min or so for DAC warm up is quite enough.
DAC parts has a break in time of between 50 -100hrs. The most noticeable improvement in sound will be in the first 20-25 hrs.
Output transformers need around 100 hrs break in timeDAC does not have MQA capability.DSD files can be played if the player/streamer used – convert  DSD to PCM.Most players like Foobar, Audirvana, Amarra etc can do this on the fly.DAC has two knobs on the front panel.Left one is POWER ON/OFFRight one is input selector.DAC has COAX(SPDIF) TOSSLINK(OPTICAL) AES, USB and I2S inputs, selectable from the front right switch.DAC has Blue LEDs on the front panel showing the selected source.The most left LED is a white color and it indicates when the DAC has locked into the source, applicable only for Coax, Optical and AES inputs. It does not work with USB and I2S.DAC outputs are Unbalanced RCA and Balanced XLR. They are switched by a small toggle switch  on the back. Both outputs XLR and CA can not be used at the same time.
CHANGING TUBES
When you decide to replace tubes in the DAC, Please follow  these instructions. When you remove the top cover pay attention to size/length of the screws. One is shorter than the others. This one is on the front right corner of the DAC. After you replace the tubes, when putting the cover back, please put shorter screw in the same place as it was before.