This R2R tube DAC is completely bonkers! Linear Tube Audio Aero review

Passion for Sound
26 Aug 202413:14

Summary

TLDRThe Linear Tube Audio Aerod DAC, priced at $3,950, is a unique blend of non-oversampling R2R design and tube amplification. It prioritizes simplicity with limited inputs and no DSD support, focusing on natural sound quality. Despite lacking in detail retrieval compared to multi-bit and Delta Sigma DACs, the Aerod excels in tonality and musical enjoyment. It offers a balanced sound with rich mids and a creamy texture, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a warm, immersive listening experience without the high-end price tag.

Takeaways

  • 🎧 The script discusses the early decisions audio design engineers must make when creating a new product, such as choosing between tube or solid-state circuitry and different DAC designs.
  • 📻 Tubes are favored for their richness and smoothness, while solid-state is known for clarity and precision in audio equipment.
  • 🔊 The debate between non-oversampling R2R DAC designs and oversampling Delta Sigma DACs is highlighted, with opinions varying on which provides a more natural or clearer sound.
  • 💡 Linear Tube Audio is a company known for high-quality tube amplifiers and has ventured into digital realm with their AERIS DAC, combining a non-oversampling R2R design with tubes.
  • 💸 The AERIS DAC is priced at $3,950, making it more expensive than some well-regarded DACs and using a rare combination of technologies.
  • 🛠️ The AERIS DAC is designed with a simple signal path but includes complex internal circuitry to ensure high-quality digital-to-analog conversion and a stable power supply.
  • 🔌 The AERIS has limited inputs (USB, Optical, and Coaxial) and supports sample rates up to 192 kHz, lacking DSD and higher output rates like 352.8 or 384 kHz.
  • 📈 The AERIS uses an active current-to-voltage conversion stage to maintain performance across different frequencies, differing from the passive conversion stages in many DACs.
  • 🎶 The output stage of the AERIS utilizes Linear Tube Audio's well-regarded zOTL design, offering a transparent, clean tube sound with the benefits of tube richness.
  • 🏆 The AERIS excels in tonality and natural sound, providing a rich and full sound without being overly warm or smooth, striking a balance between tube warmth and solid-state clarity.
  • 🎵 While the AERIS may not match some other DACs in terms of detail retrieval and resolution, it offers a more relaxed, enjoyable, and immersive listening experience.

Q & A

  • What are the early decisions an audio design engineer has to make when creating a new product?

    -The early decisions include choosing between tubes or solid-state circuitry, and deciding on the type of DAC design such as non-oversampling, oversampling R2R, or Delta Sigma.

  • Why are tubes preferred in some audio designs?

    -Tubes are favored for their richness and smoothness, offering a warm and natural sound quality.

  • What is the advantage of solid-state circuitry in audio design?

    -Solid-state circuitry is known for clarity and precision, providing a more defined and accurate sound.

  • What does the term 'non-oversampling' refer to in the context of DAC design?

    -Non-oversampling refers to a DAC design that does not use additional sampling rates beyond the original signal's to improve audio quality.

  • What is the significance of the Analog Devices A1865 DAC chip used in the Linear Tube Audio Aerod DAC?

    -The A1865 is a non-oversampling R2R DAC chip known for high-quality digital-to-analog conversion, used in premium audio products.

  • Why is power supply design important in a DAC like the Linear Tube Audio Aerod?

    -A carefully designed power supply ensures a stable and clean power source, preventing interference with the digital decoding or analog output stages.

  • What is the role of the current-to-voltage conversion stage in a DAC?

    -The current-to-voltage conversion stage is crucial as it adapts to provide ideal performance levels, ensuring the output stage receives a variable voltage signal instead of a current.

  • How does the output stage of the Linear Tube Audio Aerod DAC utilize tubes?

    -The output stage uses a well-regarded ZOTL design from Linear Tube Audio, providing a transparent, clean, and tube-like sound with clarity and resolution.

  • In what ways does the Linear Tube Audio Aerod DAC differ from other DACs in the market?

    -The Aerod DAC differs by using a combination of non-oversampling R2R design and tubes, focusing on simplicity in the signal path, and offering a natural and tonally rich sound.

  • What are some of the trade-offs when choosing a DAC like the Linear Tube Audio Aerod over others?

    -While the Aerod may not offer the highest levels of detail retrieval and resolution compared to multi-bit or Delta Sigma DACs, it excels in tonality, musical enjoyment, and natural sound.

  • How does the Linear Tube Audio Aerod DAC compare to more expensive options in terms of tonality and musical enjoyment?

    -Despite being less expensive, the Aerod offers tonality and musical enjoyment comparable to much pricier DACs, making it a strong contender in the market.

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Ähnliche Tags
Audio EngineeringDAC TechnologyTube AmpsDigital ClarityR2R Dack ChipAnalog DevicesHigh FidelityMusical EnjoymentSoundstageAudio Review
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