Aero DAC by Linear Tube Audio - experience

It should be noted that mitch2 only tried the stock tubes in the Aero dac which were not anything special if I recall.  I recently heard this dac with Ray Reserve tubes and it sounds excellent. 

Regarding what @stuartk said about @mitch2 's DAC comparison above... lots of stuff to wade through. Also, IMHO nothing wrong with coming here to ask a question directly. To me, that's really the added value of having a forum like this.

At any rate, you can save yourself the hassle of wading through that thread and go to the relevant section that discusses the LTA Aero DAC on Page 3. FWIW, I plan on picking one up as funds allow. 

All the best, and Happy Listening!

@dcaudio, it’s a really good DAC. I can’t comment on the stock tubes as I only had them in for a few days. I replaced them with the Linlai Elite 6SN7 and it sounds fantastic.  Mine is paired with a Lumin P1, Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 and Egglestonworks Oso speakers. This combo works really well. 

I have an Aero in each of my principal systems. I love them. They are run with some very nice NOS tubes, however. (Details in my virtual systems page.)

I preferred the Aero to the Imersiv D-1 DAC (a $12k piece of equipment, FWIW) in both systems. I am getting a Mojo Mystique Z “Quantum” in May and we’ll see how the Aeros stack up against it. 

I think LTA still has a home trial period. So, if you are buying new, you can try it out in your own space with your own other components at relatively little risk/cost. 

I have the AERO for 3 months now, First I had the WIIM Ultra feeding the AERO w/RCA12sn7 via the Supra usb. The WIIM has REW did a few sweeps, I was instantly impressed. A few weeks later, I took ownership of an Innuos Pulsar & full loom of Audience Front Row cables. (rabbit Hole) I let everything settle in, & than after a few weeks of tube rolling, I settled for my set of NOS Ken Rads Chrome tops. I keep the main power on as not to kill the life of the tubes. I think the Aero runs 7 amps on idle, but NOS tubes are getting more scarce these days so I just warm up my system  (TUBES) before my listening session. The main reason I went for the Aero was for the positive feedbacks & tube rolling. LTA still gives you a in home trial period. So what do you have to lose. 

In my setup I said in previous posts, the AERO & Pulsar gives my Vinyl a run for the money. Vinyl wins in my house but, my physical health isn’t good right now. Getting up to flip an Lp is a MAJOR chore! I have streamed my favorite tracks that I have on vinyl. Vinyl wins, but it’s real close.