SW1X DAC

FloriduhBoy said:
The new design is better but you did not get to hear it. That's odd.
Click to expand...
For clarity this is what he e-mailed me intially:

If you look closely and compare the current production of our DACs you will see that there is quite a difference.

Amongst many other things, not only the logo & circuit boards are of a different design there are also different components inside.

So, just FYI newer DACs are even more dramatic and organic sounding, which quite a step up on terms of musicality to the current DAC.
 
Newer is better is to be sure, to be taken with a dash of skepticism. But if your a serious manufacturer and spend resources and time on R&R, then it makes sense that your product should evolve.

When it comes to digital it depends on whats evolving. Higher bit and sampling rates and newer chips etc. etc finds me dismissing pretty quickly. But better analog outputs and improved power supplies gets my attention. Me thinks Audio Note, ABBAS and SW1X all do the latter.
 
"There are several companies in China who make look-a-like transformers to ours, we have tried a couple and they are OK actually, but nowhere close to ours in sound in the right circuit, it is of course also possible that the pictures on SW1X web site shows our transformers and the products he sells have something different in them.

Our core materials come from several sources, all the HiB iron come from Japan and are processed in either China or Germany and undergo specially designed heat treatment processes to improve their low level behaviour, so similar cores are not really available on the open market, but then again a c-core from Czech Republic, or Sweden or Italy do look very similar to ours, which is perhaps deceptive as the performance is nowhere close.

We ran out of the old silver years ago, so all our silver is annealed by heat treatment these days, we consume well over a tonne a year."

- Peter Qvortrup

Ouch!
 
doglv said:
"There are several companies in China who make look-a-like transformers to ours, we have tried a couple and they are OK actually, but nowhere close to ours in sound in the right circuit, it is of course also possible that the pictures on SW1X web site shows our transformers and the products he sells have something different in them.

Our core materials come from several sources, all the HiB iron come from Japan and are processed in either China or Germany and undergo specially designed heat treatment processes to improve their low level behaviour, so similar cores are not really available on the open market, but then again a c-core from Czech Republic, or Sweden or Italy do look very similar to ours, which is perhaps deceptive as the performance is nowhere close.

We ran out of the old silver years ago, so all our silver is annealed by heat treatment these days, we consume well over a tonne a year."

- Peter Qvortrup

Ouch!
Click to expand...
Are you suggesting SW1X is having lookalike transformers made elsewhere and branding them Audio Note?
 
I have been playing around more with the jumper settings on the Audio GD Master 7 Singularity and while it doesn't quite touch the "presence" of the music like the Sw1X, it is a stellar dac!

After playing with the jumper settings some more, sibilance is greatly reduced and there is a warmth there that didn't exist for me with the Altmann.

A/B against vinyl, there is still a stark difference in the "cleaness" of the sound from the DAC opposed to the sound of vinyl, but it certianly is a foot tapping good time now with this DAC.

I'm sure as time goes on the need for presence will wear me down and I will move to an SW1X or an Abbas, but for the time being I'm rather content, which is refreshing.

And album that I have been comparing vinyl to digital with is Caroline Shaw: Let the Soil and I would suggest a listen of this album to anyone. It is wonderfully written, produced and mastered on both Hi-res and Vinyl!! Engulfed is what I feel when I listen to this album. Simply amazing.
 
Limberpine said:
Arrived yet?
Click to expand...
Yes, it arrived a few weeks ago. I’ve been quiet about it so that I could give it time and make it through the break in period without peeing my pants with excitement. I may write more about it next week in its own thread. What I can say is that it’s the heart of my stereo and it has completely transformed everything else in such a profound way. Very positive.
 
StevenZ said:
Yes, it arrived a few weeks ago. I’ve been quiet about it so that I could give it time and make it through the break in period without peeing my pants with excitement. I may write more about it next week in its own thread. What I can say is that it’s the heart of my stereo and it has completely transformed everything else in such a profound way. Very positive.
Click to expand...
Awesome! I look forward to reading about it!
 
I own 2.3SE+ for 9 months. it is good dac. Very Musical
will audition 3.2se dac soon
Tz9hyUOl.jpg

LfapJ5Zl.jpg

7rk9MNMl.jpg
 
my friends bought or own them
3.2se ship today probably get here in feb
3.2 signature might get here in late Feb or March
Still have lots of covid parties
 
Hi, everyone.

I'd like to thank doglv for telling me about this very interesting thread. :over: I'm a little late, and I'm curious what has happened since October.

Anyway, I'm hoping Limberpine is watching this thread for a couple reasons. One is that I own a SW1X DAC III+; the other reason is that I live about 80 miles south of Limberpine (assuming he's still in Portland, OR). I've known about AbbasAudio DACs for several years, but I've never heard one. [I certainly don't want to get involved with any of the bad karma between the two gentlemen.] Recently, I began kicking around the idea of moving up Slawa's line to the DAC III Balanced, but I must admit to being skittish about how much such an endeavor would cost.

Anyone still watching this thread?

Michael
 
mresseguie said:
Hi, everyone.

I'd like to thank doglv for telling me about this very interesting thread. :over: I'm a little late, and I'm curious what has happened since October.

Anyway, I'm hoping Limberpine is watching this thread for a couple reasons. One is that I own a SW1X DAC III+; the other reason is that I live about 80 miles south of Limberpine (assuming he's still in Portland, OR). I've known about AbbasAudio DACs for several years, but I've never heard one. [I certainly don't want to get involved with any of the bad karma between the two gentlemen.] Recently, I began kicking around the idea of moving up Slawa's line to the DAC III Balanced, but I must admit to being skittish about how much such an endeavor would cost.

Anyone still watching this thread?

Michael
Click to expand...
Certainly still here!

I sent back the Sw1X demo unit that I had and my impressions are posted in this thread. I currently have an Audio GD Master 7 Singularity and it sounds great, but I have been considering saving up for a Abbas to hear the other side of the story between Salwa and Abbas.

Yes, that was my main hiccup with SW1X was that the price for entry is quite high!

Are you considering an Abbas? Or just an upgraded SW1X? And what had piqued your interest to move up the SW1X chain?
 
A year or so before I chose to buy the SW1X DAC, I had stumbled upon references to Abbas Audio, and had looked at what was offered on eBay. I didn't know anyone at the time who owned any of the Abbas gear nor did I have any knowledge of how reliable his gear was, so I decided to look elsewhere. Then, something like 6 months before I purchased my SW1X DAC III STD, an online audiophile buddy emailed me about Slawa and his DACs. [This is a shortened history, but it ought to suffice.]

I often check the various audio forums to learn which DACs are getting people the most excited, so I know most of the big names. Most of the time, I come to the conclusion that many of these DACs would be <at best> a sideways move from my current DAC. [Yes. I might be wrong, but that's my conclusion anyway.] There's absolutely nothing wrong with my current DAC III+. I love the music that comes out of my speakers. However, I still sometimes wonder what is possible with an even better DAC.

An Abbas AD1865 DAC is being developed. I do wonder how it will sound once it is finished. I also wonder what a SW1X DAC III Balanced sounds like. I haven't yet decided whether I even want to move up the ladder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

monad
Audio Mirror Tubadour V DAC>!?!
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
monad
monad
S0und Dragon
  • Locked
OFF North Star Designs Excelsio Dac
Replies
6
Views
758
S0und Dragon
S0und Dragon
R
Anyone have experience driving Meadowlarks with Peachtree amps?
Replies
0
Views
296
Raymond in DC
R
Carlos269
Where the wild things are: my friend from DIYAudio and his gifts to me
Replies
14
Views
734
Carlos269
Carlos269
L
Rek O Kut Model V
2 3
Replies
59
Views
2K
adnick
adnick
Back
Top