Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Plus

[Bill O'Connell]

Hi Guys,

 Making this official.


 We are coming out with an upgraded version of the original MiniMax DAC.
Here are some of the specifications.
 
 1. Sabre ES9018 DAC chip
2. A Sync USB 32/192
3. Dual power transformers separate digital and analog
4. improved tube output stage
5. improved PSU
6. improved signal input section with high frequency relays/resistors module
7. Tube/SS outputs selectable
8. Socketed output opamps
9. improved S/N level


 No volume control.

Price will be $1100
 Pre-order introductory price will be $998 for the first 100 DAC's.


Specification:
Frequency Response : 10Hz – 40KHz
Sampling rates : 16-32bit  32KHz - 192KHz
Dynamic Range : 135dB
Digital Input Impedance : 75 ohm
Output Impedance : Tube 3K
                     Solid State 200 ohm
Output Voltage : Tube      2.5V +- 0.5dB
                 Solid State 2.5V +-0.5dB
S/N ratio : Tube     105dB
           Solid Sate 120dB
THD : 0.2%(Tube)    0.02%(Solid State)
Dynamic Range : 129dB
Power Consumption : 14W
Main Voltage : 120V, 230V, 240V switchable
G.W. : 5.6kgs
N.W. : 4.1kgs
 
 Alex has had the prototype floating around to his buddies in HK with Vincent who runs Vintage Sounds in HK and Tim/president of the Hong Kong Audio Tube Club and they have given Alex some great feedback regarding the sound now coming out of the DAC. They have been very impressed with this new upgraded version to say the least.

 These will be here by September 1st, we are hoping a bit sooner but we are waiting on some parts which will take 4-5 weeks to arrive so we are assembling around what we can and once parts arrive we will be good to go.

 Thank you for all your support,
 Kindest Regards,
 Bill O'Connell

[Carlman]

Can't wait to hear it, Bill!  Sounds like some significant upgrades.    

Congratulations!

[_Scotty_]

Bill,will the latest version use the some of the 8 channel DAC's outputs in parallel to lower the DAC's output impedance and increase the current available to the IV stage instead of just using 1 channel of the 8 the way the current version does. I remember when this was done with the BB 1704 and required purchasing multiple DACs to parallel their outputs. It looks like a free lunch with the 9018 as you have already paid for 8channels in one package.
Scotty

[richidoo]

Stereo mode is set by the micro controller on startup. I am pretty sure that the separate channel output pins need to be externally paralleled also, since the new Oppo BluRay player uses two chips, one 9018 in parallel for stereo and another 9018 for HT multi-channel mode. If both modes were available via software only, they would have used only one DAC chip.

So if the original Minimax did not use parallel stereo channels then it might require new PCB design to allow it. The 32 bit digital volume control is also available via controller programming and a pot. I wish it were used in the minimax because it is vastly better than analog pot, which is maybe why the pot is being discontinued? Just guessing. Could be other reasons.

[Carlman]

I was guessing the volume knob wasn't needed... It serves no purpose for anyone using a preamp, other than to get nervosa about its 'dirty' presence...    I don't know of many audiophiles that don't use a preamp.  With a DAC that accepts multiple inputs, the day is coming... but with record players, tuners, and HT bypass, it'll be a while.
-C

[richidoo]

My VC is wide open most of the time when I use Sol's i60 integrated amp. I do use the digital volume control when I use my tube amps. Changing from analog volume control to the internal digital would also require PCB changes, and reprogramming the controller. $$   I do like the fact the upgraded DAC is still a similar price to the original, right?

[rollo]

 Bill the original sounded spectacular at our club meeting. An improved version should be a giant killer.
We would love to give it a spin for our October meeting.  



charles

[Carlman]

I am on deck to hear this DAC... I'd be glad to share it with anyone at a G2G at my place in September.  So, yeah... looks like a G2G at my place is eminent... Thanks for the push, Bill.

[hometheaterdoc]

cool... looking forward to it... maybe I can show you the remote desktop control of the PC with my tablet before then and have it there during the get together? 

It might be a good showdown if Rich brings his two DACs and someone wants to build up the DAC board I have still in the box...  have a Sabre DAC shootout   I can bring the Zodiac Gold as well...  I wouldn't bring the PS Audio because it doesn't agree with the tonal balance of your system at all...

regardless, I'm not touching the connections this time

[Bill O'Connell]

If your going to be using the USB input of the DAC from a computer you will have to download the drivers here at Eastern Electric audio.    www.eeaudio.com      download the correct driver for your computer.


 Rollo,  I'll try to get one out to you or if worse comes to worse maybe after Carl hears it he can ship it to you for the October Rave as I'm sure the Cman will log some hours on it for you.

[Carlman]

I will start burning it in as soon as it gets here... I guarantee 200 hours before it gets evaluated.  Not sure if I want to have a big shootout, though... would like to get used to what the EE has to offer first.
Thanks again, Bill...

[Bill O'Connell]

I will start burning it in as soon as it gets here... I guarantee 200 hours before it gets evaluated.  Not sure if I want to have a big shootout, though... would like to get used to what the EE has to offer first.
Thanks again, Bill...

 Age and child have brought you wisdom Carl-son

[rollo]

 So how is it progressing ?



charles
SMA

[Bill O'Connell]

Charles,

 I'm hoping they arrive on Friday but Alex split the shipment and the batch after that won't arrive till the Friday after. I have customers waiting for these and you or Carl will not be in the first shipment as they are all spoken for, heck the second shipment might be all spoken for also. I'll have to check the numbers.

 Regards,
 Bill

[rollo]

Charles,

 I'm hoping they arrive on Friday but Alex split the shipment and the batch after that won't arrive till the Friday after. I have customers waiting for these and you or Carl will not be in the first shipment as they are all spoken for, heck the second shipment might be all spoken for also. I'll have to check the numbers.

 Regards,
 Bill

    Good news Bill. Fill those orders first our Club can wait.


charles
SMA