SW1X DAC

[Limberpine]

I was wondering if anyone here owns or has experienced one of the SW1X DACs? If so, which model and what were your impressions?

I have heard good things, but I want to take in others experiences and opinions.

They offer a 14day trial period which is super nice.

Home - SW1X Audio Design

Resurrecting the Soul of Music

sw1xad.co.uk

I currently have an Altmann DAC and would be looking at the SW1X to replace that.

 

[StevenZ]

I was wondering if anyone here owns or has experienced one of the SW1X DACs? If so, which model and what were your impressions?

I have heard good things, but I want to take in others experiences and opinions.

They offer a 14day trial period which is super nice.

Home - SW1X Audio Design

Resurrecting the Soul of Music

sw1xad.co.uk

I currently have an Altmann DAC and would be looking at the SW1X to replace that.

I’ve read good things about the SW1X. I’ve also heard that Altmann DAC and his integrated together. Excellent sounding pieces! However very prone to dying from static discharge.

 

[Limberpine]

However very prone to dying from static discharge.

Do tell! I've not come upon this in my reading on the Altmann.

 

[StevenZ]

Do tell! I've not come upon this in my reading on the Altmann.

My buddy has to send his all the way back overseas twice because his kept shorting out due to static and carpet floors. It was a real pain for him.

 

[Limberpine]

My buddy has to send his all the way back overseas twice because his kept shorting out due to static and carpet floors. It was a real pain for him.

Oh, well I don't like hearing that, because I think its like a couple hundred euros to work on them.

 

[doglv]

Oh, well I don't like hearing that, because I think its like a couple hundred euros to work on them.

Uh? I'm sure its under warranty. But still a lot of trouble and time having to ship over seas.

I've heard nothing but good things about this brand. Along with Audio Note and few others, they use transformer coupled outputs. Both companies utilize substantial iron on power delivery and the analog output side and nos non-filtering on the digital side. Most other DAC's spend their resources on the digital side with up-sampeling, filtering, complicated chips and digital trickery (algorithms).

These transformer coupled nos DAC's sound best to me. They have a stability and dynamics that is hard to describe but I'll call it analog sounding and hard to beat with high effecient low watt tube systems. SW1X is expanding on AN's schemes with quality components and interesting tube outputs (like el84's and uber cool and uber expensive DHT's etc.). I would love to hear one and bet they sound terrific although it sounds like they may be pushing the limits on designs a bit and need to stabilize their offerings.

My problem is that I'm too cheap to spend the kind of money to get high enough into their models that interest me.... which is their balanced 3.1X models. According to the price sheets those are around $10k. You are getting very close to buying an AN DAC 5 with silver transformers (which I think you can get $15k and retail for $50k). Maybe in a year or so you might find one of these for half that used which might get my attention.

BTW... AN DAC's (Kit or UK) are modular design's... With a little effort you can turn a 2.1 into a 3.1X very easy which makes for a great bang for the buck.

 

[Limberpine]

Uh? I'm sure its under warranty. But still a lot of trouble and time having to ship over seas.

I bought the Altmann used, so there I don't think there is a warranty anymore.

I would love to hear one and bet they sound terrific although it sounds like they may be pushing the limits on designs a bit and need to stabilize their offerings.

Yes, after talking with SW1X they don't currently have their DAC 1 on offer, because of design revisions, which puts the DACs they currently have available at $4k and up, which is more than I was wanting to spend at this juncture.

My problem is that I'm too cheap to spend the kind of money to get high enough into their models that interest me.... which is their balanced 3.1X models. According to the price sheets those are around $10k. You are getting very close to buying an AN DAC 5 with silver transformers (which I think you can get $15k and retail for $50k). Maybe in a year or so you might find one of these for half that used which might get my attention.

BTW... AN DAC's (Kit or UK) are modular design's... With a little effort you can turn a 2.1 into a 3.1X very easy which makes for a great bang for the buck.

Well its not a problem that I have, its a justification that I can't make to spend $10k and up on a DAC. I have a hard time believing that the auditory gains would be subtantial enough to just such a large price tag in comparison t o something 1/3rd or 1/2 that price. In my searching I don't see too many SW1X that are being sold used, because its normally my preference to buy used or B stock.

AN kit?

It seems like the SW1X would also be fairly easy to upgrade on my own too?

Thanks!

 

[doglv]

AN kit?

It seems like the SW1X would also be fairly easy to upgrade on my own too?

Thanks!

In the $2k and below category, I would look at AN Kits and AN UK... And then follow the numerous and detailed forums describing the various mods.... basically they are just upgrading and swapping out parts.

I wouldn't tackle a SW1X as a mod project. I would just let them do it as I understand they have good upgrade pricing and process.

 

[cal3713]

I know someone who tried many new DACs ($2-$10k range) over a long period of time -- he ended up with a SW1X DAC3 and loves it. I believe I will copy him. He has good ears.

At $2500 I like my Audio Mirror T3-SE. I've compared it in system to a Lampizator Amber 3, Matrix X-sabre Pro, iFi iDSD pro, shitt bifrost 2, PS Audio Directstream DAC, and Holo Audio KTE May.

Caveats: Others may prefer the Holo May (more linear and cleaner, but less fleshed out), and my friend felt the Audio Mirror was a bit bass shy, but I'm not sure he got the huge output caps fully burned in. He warned me that the SW1X had such prodigious bass that it could be a problem in some systems.

 

[Limberpine]

In the $2k and below category, I would look at AN Kits and AN UK... And then follow the numerous and detailed forums describing the various mods.... basically they are just upgrading and swapping out parts.

I wouldn't tackle a SW1X as a mod project. I would just let them do it as I understand they have good upgrade pricing and process.

I see. I was thinking I would be in the $3-4k range with SW1X.

Lil betwixt and between.

It does seem like they have a good upgrade and trade up program.

 

[cal3713]

I see. I was thinking I would be in the $3-4k range with SW1X.

Lil betwixt and between.

It does seem like they have a good upgrade and trade up program.

A DAC2 is cheaper, might be in that range. DAC3 is more like 6-7.

 

[cal3713]

From this July:

DAC I	1	D to A converter Valve PSU	2,525
DAC I Special	1	D to A converter Valve PSU	3,000
DAC II	2	D to A converter	3,525
DAC II UST	2	D to A converter w/USB Tube Master Clock	4,950
DAC II Balanced	2	D to A converter	6,900
DAC II Signature	2	D to A converter	14,950
DAC II Special	2	D to A converter	4,850
DAC III STD	3	D to A converter Standard Version	5,995
DAC III UST	3	D to A converter STD w/USB Tube Master Clock	7,150
DAC III Balanced	3	D to A converter	12,500
DAC III Balanced +	3	D to A converter with SHiB DC Core Output Transformers	16,350
DAC III Signature	3	D to A converter	31,350
DAC III Special	3	D to A converter Power Valve	10,675
DAC III Special +	3	D to A converter with SHiB DC Core Output Transformers	14,450

 

[cal3713]

DAC IV	4	D to A converter DHT	13,795
DAC IV Special	4	D to A converter DHT	18,850
DAC V	5	D to A converter DHT	25,000
DAC V Signature	5	D to A converter DHT	112,950
DAC V Special	5	D to A converter DHT	43,950

 

[cal3713]

The "balanced" versions have transformer coupled outputs & the non-balanced versions use output capacitors. All designs are single ended.

 

[Limberpine]

I know someone who tried many new DACs ($2-$10k range) over a long period of time -- he ended up with a SW1X DAC3 and loves it. I believe I will copy him. He has good ears

I think the dealer I have been talking to said he has a SW1X 3 that he is going to send me to try out. Do you know what level your friend needed up with?

He warned me that the SW1X had such prodigious bass that it could be a problem in some systems.

Good to know.

I've also looked at the Holo, but I'm at the point where I don't want to buy and then resell all the time just to try something. Unless its a slammin deal, which I have yet to see in the Holo.

I want to try it and then know what I am getting and to me, that seems like it will be a better strategy and hopefully quell the always want to buy and try monster inside me. Seems like I will spend more dough form the outset, but if thats the case so be it.

 

[cal3713]

I think the dealer I have been talking to said he has a SW1X 3 that he is going to send me to try out. Do you know what level your friend needed up with?


Good to know.

I've also looked at the Holo, but I'm at the point where I don't want to buy and then resell all the time just to try something. Unless its a slammin deal, which I have yet to see in the Holo.

I want to try it and then know what I am getting and to me, that seems like it will be a better strategy and hopefully quell the always want to buy and try monster inside me. Seems like I will spend more dough form the outset, but if thats the case so be it.

Standard, but with the 6n6p tube in the power supply. Supposedly better sounding, but a little harder to get in the states.

 

[cal3713]

And Jorge is great

I think the dealer I have been talking to said he has a SW1X 3 that he is going to send me to try out. Do you know what level your friend needed up with?

And Jorge is great. Highly recommended by both my friend and I.

 

[Limberpine]

DAC IV	4	D to A converter DHT	13,795
DAC IV Special	4	D to A converter DHT	18,850
DAC V	5	D to A converter DHT	25,000
DAC V Signature	5	D to A converter DHT	112,950
DAC V Special	5	D to A converter DHT	43,950

When I hit the lottery!!

I did just see a AN 5 on Audiogon that was $61k new and selling for $18,800. Woooow!

Some people must have little audio corporations that they buy and sell expensive equipment through to get a tax deduction.

 

[Limberpine]

And Jorge is great

And Jorge is great. Highly recommended by both my friend and I.

Joe? Or is Jorge another dealer?

 

[doglv]

Take this for what its worth and from someone who's never heard a SW1X, I guess the lower priced models will be hard to beat at their price.

I think I have a good idea of their sonic charms, which definitely isn't for everyone. I'll describe it as detail with flesh and dynamics. That sound is something I look for in every component. While easy to find in tube amps and analog, it's not so easy to find in digital.