Audiolab M-Dac

[Audiologica]

We have one remaining MDAC in stock after our last delivery...next batch not due until April then....

01403 789226
http://www.audiologica.co.uk/audiolab_m_dac.html

[realysm42]

Are you guys taking preorders for the impending upgrades and parts?

[Audiologica]

Hi - apologies for delayed response. In a word "yes" -feel free to call to discuss the detail

[realysm42]

To confirm, I think there are three upgrades on the horizon:

*The Mpax power supply (of which there are two grades I think)

*Capacitor upgrades

*Something to do with volume control

Are you offering all of these? I'm asking on here as it may prove useful to other members of the board and will be a good point of reference for me in the future as I'll definitely doing atleast some of these.

Thanks.

[Audiologica]

I will try to get some realistic timelines and cost tomorrow (Friday) but there's no reason we should not be able to support all forthcoming mods...

Regards
Richard

[realysm42]

That's really helpful, it'd make my life a lot easier having someone to speak to properly about this, rather than trying to get a word in on the PFM forums - thanks!

Does this mean you'd send the M-dac off to John to carry out the upgrades, or would you do them in house? Also, would this affect my warranty?

[Audiologica]

Don't know yet....will keep you updated once i've spoken to Audiolab...

[Busybee330]

Isn't it an upgrade done by John Westlake ( the creator of the M-Dac for Audiolab ) but which would not be available at Audiolab ? Only at his company Lakewest ?

[realysm42]

That's what I've read elsewhere (that upgrades 2 and 3 are done by John), but information is scarce and I like to keep an open mind.

[Audiologica]

I spoke to Audiolab today and they confirm that is a Westlake thing....there may be an upgraded PSU available at some stage but no details yet....i'll try to get hold of JW over the coming days

[realysm42]

Do you have any idea where I can place the order with him please?

Is PFM the only place?

[Ali Tait]

Is it just me that's a leetle cynical about this? It's just coming out and there's "upgrades" available already. Considering how long it's been in development, could it not have been released with a decent PS in the first place?

[Gints]

Originally it was meant to be a budget dac.

[realysm42]

Ali, your cynicism might be rightly placed but as the owner of the unit what am I to do, turn my nose up at it?

I don't think any of the upgrades are through Audiolab, they are after market mods/products available through John. I guess it could be likend to the upgrade power supplies sold by those on here for other units.

[Ali Tait]

Martin, no offence intended mate. If the upgrades are not through Audiolab, then I retract my statement. :)

It's always got my goat in the past with the likes of Naim and Mission, offering a better PS at high cost. Why not just give it a decent PS in the first place?

How do you find the dac? It seems to be getting good press so far, I'd be interested in hearing one myself.

[realysm42]

Apologies, tone is so easily lost when written, it was a genuine question, not a knee-jerk defence!

Tbh I hear what you're saying and it's odd how it can be perceived as a good or bad thing (a new power supply). I'm just happy there's a way to improve my sound further.

I actually love the dac, I went from a Xonar essence ST sound card (which in terms of music reproduction beats any other sound card hands down) to the M-dac, and the difference was astonishing!

Having said that, I've never compared it to any other Dacs, so it could be a load of pap :D I'm happy right now, I guess that's what counts.

[Ali Tait]

Cool, glad you're happy with it. Hope to hear one sometime.

[Audiologica]

It seems that Audiolab are considering the possibilty of an upgraded power supply at some stage (having said that the stock model is very good) but any changes under the lid would be JW's area....in terms of warranty, any after-sales alterations/upgrades would impact on the warranty with Audiolab