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Monday, March 18, 2024

The Heritage Digital to Analog Converter

Hi!

After the phono and line stage the next member of the Heritage product family is finished. A digital to Analog Converter with directly heated output tubes.



The DAC consists of 3 chassis. One for the digital power supply, one for the analog power supply and one for the actual signal section. Each chassis is 434 by 434 mm, plus knobs at the front and connectors at the back. The height is 100mm plus feet (different style feet are available) and tubes on top of the signal chassis.



The signal section uses a discrete R2R DAC which feeds into the grid of the output tube which in turn is transformer coupled for a low output impedance. This is as pure a signal path as you can get. All the analog amplification is done by directly heated triodes.



The DAC can receive digital data via a SPDIF RCA jack (i.e from a CD transport) or via a USB connector (from, media server, PC, streamer, etc). The DAC can handle PCM data up to 24bit 786kHz.



The directly heated output tube provides maximum transparency combined with music flow and rich tone colors. The low output impedance can drive long interconnects without any problem. No expensive interconnects are needed to utilise the sound potential of this DAC. Both RCA and XLR output are available as standard.



The external power supplies are split into separate chassis for digital and analog for maximum isolation. Again no accessories like exotic power cords or mains conditioners needed to get the best performance.



The high voltage analog supply is tube rectified with a full wave bridge arrangement. The rectifier tubes are mounted vertically inside the PSU chassis. All voltages including filament and digital suppliers are choke input filtered. The power supply chassis can be stacked.



The signal chassis can also be placed on top of the power supplies.



I ran out of black side panels so the digital PSU got a silver one which will be replaced later with black.



As standard the DAC will be delivered with Elrog ER801A tubes.



Other tube options are available on request like Elrog ER801A-Mo:



Or TM801A. For some info about the different Elrog 801A types I posted some user feedback.



Old production 801A tubes (or 801, VT62) are available on request too, as well as 10Y (10, VT25, VT25-A) including globe shape 10:



And even the super rare 1602 (special factory selected 10Y):



All these tube types above can be used in this DAC without any modification or user adjustments. Simply plug and play. The DAC can be built for other tubes as well. For example 26:



of course also globe UX226:



Or the 71A:



For a very special more 'vintage' sound, the UX201A would be possible too:



Of course also the 01A (ST glass version of the UX201A).



There are many other possibilities. Send your inquiry if you want such a DAC built for a specific tube. I will check if it is technically feasible. All the tubes shown here are available from my stock. Like all Heritage products, the tubes shipped with this DAC will carry a 2.5 year warranty.



The DAC can also be manufactured with silver anodised plates.



Email me if you have any questions or want a quote for such a DAC.



This DAC will be on demo at the Munich High End, Hall 2, F06. See you there!

Best regards

Thomas




Sunday, March 10, 2024

The Heritage Line Preamplifier

Hi!

The Heritage line preamplifier is finished.



A two box line preamp with 801A directly heated triodes.



The external power supply uses 4 TV damp tubes in a full wave bridge rectification scheme.




The rectifier tubes are inside the chassis so that signal unit and power supply can be stacked.



Here shown with TM801A tubes.





The preamp can use any of the 10Y family (10, 10Y, 1602, VT25, VT25A) or 801A family of tubes (801, 801A, VT62). As standard the preamp is shipped with ELROG ER801A. NOS tubes can be equated on request as well as TM801A or ER801A-Mo.



The tubes used in all Heritage amps and preamps come with 30 month (2.5 years) warranty.




The linestage with the matching Heritage phono:







A peek into the power supply section:


















This linestage can now be ordered and can be configured to your requirements




Matching power amps are in preparation. Stay tuned!

Best regards

Thomas



Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Introducing the HERITAGE product line

Hi!

The first unit of my third new product line is finished. The Heritage phono preamplifier.



This category is positioned between the Compactron and Intrepid product lines.



The first member of this line is a phono stage with LCR EQ and D3a tubes.



It is very similar to the classic D3a phono with some minor upgrades to circuit and power supply.



All the gear in the Heritage line has some common attributes.



They all consist of two all metal chassis (external power supply). Except the DAC which will have 3 chassis.



All units use fully transformer coupled circuits (copper transformers standard, silver optional).



All power supplies use 4 rectifier tubes in full wave bridge configuration and choke input filters.



Lifetime warranty on parts and labour, except for the tubes which carry a 2.5 year (30 month) warranty.



3 different styles of feet are available to choose from.



The feet are easily exchangeable by the user.



Initially the heritage line will consist of this phono, a line preamplifier with ELROG ER801A, a DAC with the same tube and a set of mono blocks with DHT driver and output tube.



Here a peek under the hood of the phono



First test run with bottom lid still open for measurements and feeding into the Intrepid line preamp:



The Heritage amps and preamps will be shown at the upcoming Munich High End in Booth F06, Hall 2



Stay tuned for updates as the rest of the Heritage line will be completed this month.

Best regards

Thomas