For Sale: SW1X Tube DAC with TDA 1543 chip

[hughandella]

As many will be aware I worked briefly with the designer/owner of SW1X (Slawa) and this is my DAC for sale.
It is based on the DAC 1 ( not the Signature version) however Slawa upgraded some components for me gratis - notably the capacitors.
I am not a techy myself but what I will do is show all of the 'internals' and allow others to compare it with the advertised model on eBay which is on sale for £799 ( the Signature is now £1,499) .... if this DAC were to be offered for sale direct and new it would sit roughly half way between these levels --- make no mistake this is a serious DAC with great performance .... a review of the Signature was on the 'WAM if the mods dont mind me linking to it
https://www.hifiwigwam.com/sw1x-audio-design-dac-1-signature-a-review-by-kevin-fiske/
http://sw1xad.co.uk/reviews/
there are also reviews on AoS

It is a very, very reluctant sale but my circumstances have changed and I need the funds unfortunately - I have sold quite a bit of other gear ahead of selling this but needs must. Whilst Slawa and I did not agree on the direction the company should take I would never doubt his ability to deliver a great product. I may very well be listing the USB/SPDIF convertor Transport that works so well alongside this DAC but it is with a mate at the moment who is considering the whole computer hifi route.
I am looking for £500 for the DAC, delivered -- which represents at the very least a 50% discount on what would be it's new price ....( fyi I'd be looking for £300 (>60% discount for the matching Transport should it become available as it is in an older style case - see photo - if any buyer wants both from day one - note the DAC is SPDIF only )
I have priced these to sell and I want to impact the SW1X business as little as possible.
Ofcourse any audition is welcome.

http://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2859_zpsitjlnhxd.jpghttp://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2856_zpskmopfaie.jpghttp://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2861_zpspsnaaoi3.jpghttp://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2862_zpsyvpqnhy1.jpghttp://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2863_zpsd6c8pxfd.jpghttp://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2864_zpsqdykgf1h.jpg
the Transport inside
http://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2867_zpsniprfbr1.jpg
http://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/t616/Chrismoore50/IMG_2866_zpsu7hxgp7x.jpg

[Lawrence001]

Interesting that there are valves in the USB to SPDIF converter as i expect that the signal is maintained in the digital domain? I know that converters can make the sound "better" having heard a Cd copy on a computer via an audiophilio SPDIF converter to a dac trounce a number of high level transports to the same dac. But I've never seen a valve work on a digital signal, do you know the theory - power regulation possibly?

[hughandella]

Hi Lawrence
I dont want to present myself as an expert in this area --- it would be misleading, all I can say is that Slawa was very much of the view that the master clock was key to a Transport and always preferred tube rectification, it may well help with impedance mismatches but I would rather admit this is not sometg I know a lot about rather than attempt to bullsh&& you .... what i CAN definately say is that I personally was rather skeptical of the value of an 'expensive' transport but was surprised at the difference it did make compared to a cheaper but decent convertor like Dragonfly etc and ofcourse it is voiced to match the DAC ----- it could possibly have less impact with a non SW1X DAC than it does with its intended partner ---- I am very happy for anyone to audition the DAC with and without the Transport to highlight the differences .... hope this helps ....... Slawa is aware I am reluctantly selling my gear and so may offer input buyt understandably he is going to want to concentrate on 'new' sales .... hope this helps

[ovlov854]

Hi Chris
PM on its way

[SW1X]

Greetings,

I can confirm that all the equipment was made by me. The USB to SPDIF converter is the prototype of currently in production SW1X USB 1.
It has a valve master clock and a SPDIF valve output stage but no tube rectification on the master clock (unlike on the current production USB 1).
Apart from the fact that the tubes are sub-miniature and a different chassis, the circuit design is very similar to USB 1.

DAC 1 has got no serial number on it because it was a pre- production unit. It has an older PCB (with near identical circuit design) but has a couple more Kaisei capacitors than the current USB 1.
We also updated the current DAC 1 with additional heat sinks in the power supply.

So if you decide to go for the DAC 1 please do not hesitate to get in touch with me in order to get the DAC up to date with updates and upgrades free of charge.

Sincerely,

Slawa

[hughandella]

That is very generous of you Slawa and shows the support you give the products -- tku ---- I think the DAC is sold and I have someone enquiring about the USB but it is not sold for sure yet ... both nice units

[hughandella]

USB Transport Sold ----- DAC out on audition
tks