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

Summary

The 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.