This DAC 4.1 was built for a European customer and features all the things you’d expect from ANK’s flagship DAC-  the signature parts group including Audio Note tantalum resistors, Mundorf Silver/Oil coupling caps, ELNA Silmic electrolytics, and of course the mind-blowing triple c-core output transformers.  Since this one is going across the pond, it also gets an extra dab of adhesives and threadlockers here and there to make sure it gets there in one piece and looking pretty…

After I finish a build, the first thing that happens is that I go through from start to finish checking voltages on all the various filaments and power supplies, then the tubes go in and I run a few test signals through the unit and check the output on my scope.  When all those checks are done, that’s when it goes in my test system for a listen-  always my favorite part.  It’s been a little while since I’ve listened to the DAC 4.1, and I must admit that I’ve been mesmerized by the sound of this one.  I chose a recording at random, which happened to be a Zappa album that I’ve been listening to for 30 years.  Imagine my shock when I heard a whole section of backing vocals that I never knew were there before!  Subtle and easy to miss, but they’re on the recording, and yet I’ve always missed them on whatever combination of gear I’ve been using over the years.  I guess that’s what audiophiles mean when they talk about “detail” and “transparency” – I’ve rarely had it demonstrated so clearly.  I can’t wait to hear the reviews from the customer on this one!