I got my Alpha tube DAC two years ago. After CAL was no more. I never was able to find them or anyone to do the 24/96 chip upgrade for me either. I'd love to have it. It would breath new life into the DAC for sure.
Yes, the Alpha uses two tubes. I'm running Mullards in them right now. I have been very happy with them. I would be curious to try some different tubes in there.
From what i'm reading here and hearing from other people in other forums.. the 990 sounds really good for 2 ch music listening.
I had all but given up on my home theater when it came to 2 ch music listening.. till i hooked up the 990 pre. I'm very happy with it's performance in 2 ch and home theater too.
Originally posted by FAUguy:
Interesting. I know that a few years back, when Cal Audio was still around, they were offering an "upgrade chip" for Sigma and Alpha DACs so they would have a higher sample rate.
It was like $300, so I never did it.
Still, with my 950 and Sigma-II, to me the best quality sound is using the Sigma-II and use the 950 is Bypass Mode.
Maybe once I get the 990 it would sound better than the Sigma-II.
Doesn't your Alpha use 2 tubes (1 for each channel)? The Sigma uses only one tube.
Last year I bought a new Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH tube (which replaced a Sovtek 12AX7WXT+).
The newer tube made the music sound much better and gave it more detail.
Originally posted by Skyblazer:
[b] I have a California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC and the 990. WHile the CAL tube DAC is very nice. It's a bit outdated. It's got an 18bit chip in it. While the 990 has a 24 bit chip. You can hear the difference right away. The 24 bit chip is much more revealing in 2 ch music.
If I were you.. i'd upgrade to the 990. I am very impressed with it's 2ch abilities.
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