A word to temper this article’s enthusiasm, as I am attempting to prevent a runaway gush. The Minimax DAC is cut from the same cloth as the M520 and BBA Buffer Amp. Alex Yeung likes to turn out his designs with a lighter side to their sound. The Eastern Electric sound does not have the “heft” of some more prodigious, lush or “weightier” sounding gear, such as Moscode or VAC. It’s certainly not warm like Vandersteen speakers or Van Alstine electronics. The sound tends toward that of a SET amp, a somewhat on the lighter, brighter side. Clarity is slightly favored over warmth.
There also is an anomaly which presents itself upon switching from a 16 bit/44.1 KHz to 24 bit/192 KHz signal. The DAC will for literally one second drop the signal; obviously something is switching inside the unit. The green light indicating lock on the signal will blink off and on quickly as the switch is made. This anomaly presents itself also when the system is first turned on, after the player has warmed up from a disc left inside the machine. However, when the lid of the player is lifted in order to re-initialize the disc, the dropouts disappear and do not return. It may happen two or three times over a few minutes after the new system is assembled or a new player inserted. When switching on the fly between these two signals, whether with the Cambridge Audio Azur 840C or the Ayon, there were one or two reacquisitions of the signal, then the hiccup went away. The action of the DAC reminded me of the old tracking function of the VHS players, which would jostle for best reading, then settle down. Once a system was established and the input settled, the operation of the DAC also settled.
Another caveat is that I have not taken months to adjust different systems to find the outer parameters of this device’s operation. One rig which I did assemble you may find competent to assess the Minimax:
Ayon CD-5 using AES/EBU out through Clarity Cable Organic XLR IC
(The Clarity Cable products are on review)
Sonos Digital Music System with Clarity Cable Organic Digital Cable to Minimax DAC
Eastern Electric Minimax DAC with Clarity Cable Organic Power Cord
VAC Signature MkII Preamplifier with Clarity Cable Organic Power Cord
Audioquest RCA “Y” 1 to 2 splitter
Clarity Cable Organic Interconnect (two pair)
Coda Technologies CS Stereo Amplifier (two; on review)
Kingsound King ESL with VAC Royal Power Supplies
Xindak PF Gold Power Cords for VAC P.S.
The nature of the economic imbalance between the Minimax DAC and these other components may cause some to call into question my sanity. The VAC Signature MkII Preamplifier is about eighteen times the cost of the Minimax DAC. But I would not hesitate to recommend to Kevin Hayes, VAC’s owner and chief designer, to try it in his system. This lack of consistency in components when building a rig is usually an impediment to exceptional performance. For the result to be so outstanding despite the rig being skewed convinces me that the 32 bit technology is capable of exceeding expectations across the board. From the short time I have used it I am confident that32 bit chip technology will result in a dramatic improvement to a myriad of rigs yet to have it.
Higher-end players/transports should accelerate these already excellent results. The AES/EBU input is the ideal, and I did have a chance to run the Ayon CD-5’s AES/EBU output into the Minimax. I strongly preferred this interface to the standard coaxial digital cable (both cables used were Clarity Cable products). The result was unadulterated joy, a profoundly complete and pristine sound unrivaled by any previous player or DAC. One could hear decay of cymbals for several seconds, versus the all-too-often fraction of a second. Center images were astoundingly sharper, microdynamics leaped from live recordings pulling me deeply into the event. Bass notes were seriously fat as well as faster; transients were seemingly lightning fast. I especially appreciated the stripping away of layers of grunge, digital overload which previously obscured the sound of a piano case, or deadened the lightness of a bow across strings. It truly is a case of delusion to think you’ve got crystal clear sound with 24 bit, but you do not. One half hour spent listening to the Minimax DAC should be all it takes to convince you.
One friend who brought his $5K dedicated DAC with 24/192 processing needed only a couple of song for song comparisons to move him past ownership bias and convince him he’ll be ordering a Minimax. He was still a bit insecure, so he wanted me to have it tried in his rig. I obliged, as the unit is demure; I wouldn’t have hauled 80 pound amps for him. It took precisely one song on his system compared between the two DACS for him to know he wants 32 bit – it was so obvious.
If I were an owner of the Ayon CD-5, or any lesser player, I’d get a 32 bit DAC like the Minimax and run the player’s AES/EBU output into it. The better the transport quality, the better the result will be with the DAC. The CD-5’s volume control is bypassed when the signal is output directly, so I was unable to use it to control level; that might have been convenient if I wanted to run the Minimax directly to the power amps. I can still do so, but it will have to be manual control at the DACs front panel, as there will be no remote control capability. The EE DAC is left at the maximum level setting only when used with a separate preamp. I hope the next version of this product will incorporate a remote volume control.
You may be thinking, “What?! Run a $10K player into a $750 DAC?” That’s precisely what I’m saying. The reason is that from the products I have handled such a technological advantage is not practicably available any other way. As aforesaid, one will not get the same result by inserting a chintzy transport. If you want the ultimate expression of this technology, you need a good transport and I strongly recommend the AES/EBU connection (uses one XLR cable). If you don’t have the AES/EBU connection go right ahead and use S/PDIF (Coaxial Digital), as you will not lose so much that it won’t be worth it. You’ll get the lion’s share of benefit. Frankly, you’ll likely get something wonderful just by dropping the Minimax into nearly any rig, but if you crave SOTA sound you need your primo transport to be at the peak of performance with it.
Salvation For The Econo-Audiophile
It was not too many years ago I was an audiophile on what would be considered by many to be a severely restricted budget. From my perspective now, if I only had a few thousand dollars to spend to put a system together, the ESS Sabre chip in the Minimax might be the first piece I’d buy because from what I’ve learned of it already I think I could make a wonderful sounding system using it with many previously used affordable pieces. I know for some the rule of thumb is to get the speakers first, but I’d be willing to break it for the virtually assured guarantee of terrific sound that 32 bit holds. I would likely run the Sonos digital output directly into it as the results are obviously superior to any $3k and under player I have reviewed. This is such a unique product that I can recommend it for starter systems as well as fine upper-end rigs.
The unit is well designed to be compact and appealing. If it only had one S/PDIF (Coaxial) input, the performance is so extreme I’d buy it even if I had to switch cables to hear a different source. However, it does have in order of appearance on the back USB, Optical, Coaxial, BNC and AES/EBU inputs. On the front it shows from left to right: POWER button with blue light; OPERATE indicator (green light); PHASE indicator (in phase – green/out of phase – red); TUBE (on – orange light; off – no light); SIGNAL light (green when signal acquired); VOLUME CONTROL; INPUT SELECTOR. There is only one set of single-ended outputs, and uses one 12AU7 tube (for amplification, not only as a buffer) squished into such a compact compartment at the rear that tube rolling audiophiles with thick fingers will curse the space efficiency. Output is selectable between tube and solid-state, as is the Phase (In/Out).
According to Bill, the USB input is not as good as the AES/EBU and digital coaxial; it appears the finest playback is reserved for those with XLR and digital coaxial cables. The USB performance seems to be first on the list for modification in a future version. I speculate that once the USB feature is updated glowing sentiments regarding its performance will abound. Speaking of Modding, the Opamps (short for Operational Amplifier, inside the component) in the unit are socketed, meaning they can be upgraded easily. There is no mention of Opamp replacement in the Manual; Bill advises that the warranty is voided by messing with the unit’s functionality. That may not deter some, as it is so affordable that the risk-to-reward ratio is low considering the potential for further improvement. Calto at ESS Technology preferred the Analogue Devices Opamps to the Texas Instruments Opamps used in the Minimax. As expected, conduct your own due diligence and proceed at your own risk.
Some readers will want to experiment with tube rolling, considering Bill’s recommendations. The unit comes with a stock Shuguang 12AU7 tube, but the unit I have been using has a rare Siemens Silver Plate 12AU7, which is, according to Bill, perhaps the most neutral of 12AU7’s available. If you want to enrich vocals you might try an RCA Black Plate 12AU7, or a Mullard 12AU7, K61 longplate with date code etched in the glass. These upper echelon tubes can cost about $100, but much more economical options are available among the tubes of the 12AU7 family, such as E80CC, 6189 or 5814A. Mid-range options are the Tungsol blackglass 12AU7 at about $25-40, or an RCA blackplate 12AU7 square getter for about $20. Perhaps, with the Sabre chip, tube rolling has never been so beneficial.
I fully expect that this Eastern Electric DAC is nowhere near its pinnacle of performance in my room yet. It is a joy and I will get more from it ongoing, but, oh, the technological advancement! All audiophiles will be winners as 32 bit processing gains traction. I had heard about the ESS Sabre 32 bit chip, and what I heard about it being fantastic is true.
This is quite the development, the appearance of products with D/A conversion which zips past typical 24/196 performance available for a relative pittance. Truthfully, 32 bit DACs in the Quad Differential topology makes the 24 bit players I have used sound dated. It appears to me that we are on the cusp of a thrilling new era in digital two-channel sound!
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