Sonic Frontiers SFD-1mk2 Vintage DAC for $750 That Stomps Most Modern DACs

Yep

 

I've got an SFD 1 Mk 2 just sitting unused, will pm you mscott

 

The price is slightly lower at their direct site:
https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/sonic-frontiers-sfd-2-tube-dac-d-a-converter-sfd2/

 

I have an MKII so I'm not sure how much better it is than the MKI, but the SFD-2 is an incredible dac. If you can afford the extra money I highly recommend. Very musical with better technicalities than the SFD-1.

 

Looks like someone grabbed the SFD-2!

Might that have been you @Mr.Sneis?

 

Negative, the tempt was real strong tho.

 

Dang it, someone got it, and I was hoping it was you! Better a known friend than someone who might not appreciate it for what it is. Cheers

 

So when @Xecuter posted the ad for his upgraded SFD1, I just couldn't resit, and picked it up. I'm still getting accustomed to it's sound, and need to source a coax > AES solution, but it's certainly lives up to it's reputation as a worthwhile DAC alternative. I'll comment more once I've had more time with it.



For those interested, swapping voltage on the SFD1, is relatively easy with a little solder work and a new fuse. At the bottom-right corner of the PCB is where you would move a little jumper to select the desired voltage. This in combination with the appropriate fast-blow fuse, 1.5amp/250V for 100V-120V or .75amp/250V for 200V-240V.

As far as I know, this applies only to the SFD1. The limited pics I've seen online of the SFD2 aren't detailed enough for me to confirm.

 

If anyone is looking for one of these, this just came up at partsconnexion.

https://www.partsconnexion.com/PCXC...V-Cap+Stock;+50%+Off+PROJECT+Elemental+TTable

 

I was tempted so I contacted Parts Connexion. It turns out there is a typo in the photo and the ad. This is an SFD-1 Mkii not SFD-2 Mkii.
So the wait continues ...

 

@captkirk Do you still have your's?

 

Yuup. Nothing out there at the moment to sway me away from the SFD.

Admittedly though, the recent uber-USB rumors from Schiit do make an alternative tempting out of convenience, as I’m a USB guy. But having owned all the Schiit Multibits, save the Yggdrasil, I’m happy to find an alternative to USB. Currently looking hard at an Allo.

 

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Allo DigiOne Sig. I'm using this as an LPS:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ZER...803.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.36564c4dYGnSJG

Or for AES output: PI2AES
http://www.pi2design.com/

USB->SPDIF (alternative to Eitr) https://matrix-digi.com/en/products/314.html

 

Thanks for this.

Eitr hasn't been a terrible solution, especially after I added a Sescom to take advantage of the AES input on the DAC (better clarity, improved transients and blackground mumbo jumbo).

I like how the Matrix offers this as an AIO.

 

Mods: sorry and delete if this is inappropriate

So I found an SFD2 MKII for sale. The price seems low (GBP450 or about USD590). The seller says the unit has been serviced and cleaned.
One of the pictures shows the inside of the unit but something does not look right (see picture upper right hand side):


Any comment? That would help me a lot. Thanks

 

Modified capacitors right before the output.

 

You mean the capacitors have been modified? The ad said: "In original unmodified condition"
Hummm, that does not feel good. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

To be fair, that price is amazing if it actually works.

 

Thanks!
I suppose I can always send it to Parts Connexion for a complete check.

 

That price is insane, jump on it asap.