Superb mic amp and converter as I we would all expect.

Hugh is not happy with quite a few issue but two other things struck me.

1) No analogue output of anykind? Not even a headphone out (and I seem to recall a Lavry product that had a particularly excellent one?).

2)(And this will raise hackles!)Why, when a usb port is provided and indeed mention of the use of the uniit as a portable device, was it mains powered? I would have thought a 12V DC (or even universal)input would have been far more flexible (no "export" model), would have cut the cost still more, tho' I admit it IS very good value and of course would have made mains free laptop use possible (but you would then REALLY need a cans out!). Not of course going to ever be bus powered.

Dave.

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1) No analogue output of anykind?

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I think the clue is in the name... But seriously, you're right -- a lot of mic-pre/converters do have analogue outs and/or headphones. The AD11 is Lavry's entry-level product designed down to a price (albeit a high one), and hence has minimal frills.

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2)(And this will raise hackles!)

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I did have an exchange of views with Lavry about a few of the AD11's engineering/design decisions. At the end of the day, they arrived at a specific set of design choices and compromises that they are happy with. Yes, there are alternative ways of doing things, many of which would be equally valid and possibly more appealing to some markets, but that's what Lavry are offering in that product. Take it or leave it.

It is clearly a very engineering-led company that prioritises audio quality and I think that is to be commended.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

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Not even a headphone out (and I seem to recall a Lavry product that had a particularly excellent one?)

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Yes - their D-to-A convertor / headphone amp product!

Yep - I'd go along with the DA10 having an excellent headphone amp, I'm very impressed with it.

However, I do agree with Hugh that Dan Lavry makes some occasionally strange engineering choices. In this case the headphone amp uses the same level control as the main analogue outputs, meaning that you have to turn down your power amp level controls or switch the amp off altogether before using the headphones

It still sounds superb though


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

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Yep - I'd go along with the DA10 having an excellent headphone amp, I'm very impressed with it.

However, I do agree with Hugh that Dan Lavry makes some occasionally strange engineering choices. In this case the headphone amp uses the same level control as the main analogue outputs, meaning that you have to turn down your power amp level controls or switch the amp off altogether before using the headphones

It still sounds superb though


Martin

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Err? Sorry Martin, my point was that the AD11 does not have a headphone output AFAIKS?

(BTW:Boobed about the universal PSU but still think 12V operation is a better idea!)

Dave.

I was replying to Chris to confirm that it was the Lavry D/A converters that had a headphone amp

As for the 12-volt PSU I can see your point for live use, but if the D/A is anything to go by Dan Lavry prefers to have his circuitry on all the time (my DA10 consumes about 4 watts all the time it's plugged in, even before you 'switch it on'), making battery operation less suitable.


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Sorry Martin but I get SoS posts back in isolation, not as part of the string as every other forum seems to do.

But then I supposed I should backtrack and see who is talking to whom anyway! Sorry again.



Hugh: Not knocking the product in any way, shape or form, just my BOF ramblings!

Dave.

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Sorry Martin but I get SoS posts back in isolation, not as part of the string as every other forum seems to do.

But then I supposed I should backtrack and see who is talking to whom anyway! Sorry again.



Hugh: Not knocking the product in any way, shape or form, just my BOF ramblings!

Dave.

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Hi Dave!

I only found out a coupla weeks ago how to switch between the two forum views... Top and bottom of the thread screen you're probably seeing something that says "Flat". (Its on the Previous, Topics, Next... line) Click on this and it'll switch to "Threaded"... you'll get a whole new outlook on life!

(My issue was that I didn't know how to view the 'other' way until Martin W or Zen explained how...)

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Hugh: Not knocking the product in any way, shape or form, just my BOF ramblings!

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No problem -- your comments are entirely valid observations and queries. As I said, they seem to have their own reasons for doing things the way they do.

hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound