FS: Audio Note DAC 2 (But essentially a DAC 3)

[dicy]

Hi All

Selling my mint Audio Note DAC 2.

I purchased this from a chap who bought upgraded and sold Audio Note kit, he put quite a few upgrades inside. As I need to sell, I sent it for a service and to find out what is inside - This was carried out by High End Audio in E Sussex - Brett is a former Audio Note engineer and knows his stuff!

He said:
"DAC has upgrades - fitted with DAC3 output PCB with DAC 3 interstage line transformers and upgraded output signal capacitors (Jenson)" Brett said that it takes it to a DAC 3 in all but name.

He replaced 2 105 capacitors and the valves test as follow:
Mullard ECC88 - 80%
Mullard ECC88 - 81%

It's in silver with the current Audio Note badge in silver.

It's a beautiful sounding DAC and many friends have been blown away at the performance.

Again, would much prefer collection from East Sussex - or I can bring up to Kidderminster in the next couple of weeks

£950



Thanks
Rich

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/bdFWh3.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnbdFWh3j)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/921/c9boNi.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plc9boNij)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/d3N33k.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmd3N33kj)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/32f6TW.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn32f6TWj)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/29c07D.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po29c07Dj)

[Mr. C]

Brett is a genuinely nice guy and he know's his stuff. unlike so many. Confidence buy here I feel.

Good luck with the sale

[yolakim]

Have sent a PM

[montesquieu]

Might help to have some inside shots.

Also can you clarify whether this has had the brick wall filters removed and non-oversampling modification applied (these are the primary difference between the original DAC3 and the later DAC3.1x), one of the main one is the chip used between the DAC3 era and the 3.1x, PCM63P-K vs AD1865, a view of which one should settle where this is in the modification process - if the upgrade is to the post-millennium, non-oversampling DAC 3.1x spec (as it might well be give it's had the output transformer modification) this is a bargain indeed.

Perhaps the chap who provided the invoice could clarify? AN DACs are a bit of a minfield to the uninitiated.

[yolakim]

Hi Rich - I think you need to clear some messages. The site says you have reached the limit.

[dicy]

Cleared some space:)

[dicy]

Thanks Tom, I’ve asked Brett if he can shed any light.
I’ll take a pic of the inside too, But I’m pretty sure it’s just up to the Dac 3 standard version

[montesquieu]

Thanks Tom, I’ve asked Brett if he can shed any light.
I’ll take a pic of the inside too, But I’m pretty sure it’s just up to the Dac 3 standard version

Should still be very good at that.

[dicy]

Hi all

Ok, below are some additional pics of the inside of the DAC.

It seems that the DAC is a little better than originally thought, the following has been confirmed:

The brick wall filters have been removed and the non-oversampling modification applied. The chip is the AD1865 - which is the same chip as the current 3.1 AN DAC.
Just to be clear, this only has the single output transformer.

I'm sticking with the £950 price - so even more of a bargain!

(Thanks to Tom for all the help and advice)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/921/EIly2T.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plEIly2Tj)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/5IRT5d.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po5IRT5dj)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/4zEosI.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po4zEosIj)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/dPl7aB.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmdPl7aBj)

[dicy]

Reduced to £900.

I really can’t let it go for any less.

[dicy]

£900

I have found some suitable packaging and can now ship for £20

[dicy]

Final reduction - £880 delivered

[IslandPink]

It pains me that this unit isn't selling. I've only heard 2 DAC's that really excited me, this one, heard about 15 years ago in Audio Note's room at the Radisson, and Nick's Longdog Audio one.
The DAC2 was being playing alternating with their analogue set-up that day, and matching everything that vinyl could do. The fluidity and tonal colour were really special - very engaging and musical.

[IslandPink]

Ok, I'll buy it. I would like to hear it again, and I have a friend who will buy it off me in due course.
I am just off to a Christmas do, will contact you either late tonight or tomorrow re. payment.
Cheers !

[dicy]

Hi Mark

I have pm’d you

[gonesailing]

I'm 20 mins away and would be keen to know if it's still available.

[dicy]

Sorry guys, now SOLD

Thanks for all the kind comments