I never read where the stock tube in the TubeDAC-09 sounded terrible and for the past nearly 3 years all I have ever run them with is the stock tube, I still have the first one
that has been left on almost constantly since day one.
You have to remember that with any piece of tube gear , the stock tube was how it was designed and tested. Rolling of course can bring different flavours and with the 09 only 3 tubes seemed to stand out as being a worthwhile roll and try and get them now for the price they were before they became something to roll in the 09. Hmm, maybe that is why the rollers are being quiet so far, or they are just enjoying the stock tube sound or they haven't got it broken in yet.
I tried all 3 of these tubes in my Rita Reference System (RITA-880, RBS-1, CD-1000 transporting to the TubeDAC-09) and they all sounded great, but the stock Military Grade Shuguang 6N3 tube sounded the way I wanted it to.
Everyone's system and ears are different, so hopefully lots of different suggestions of what tube is great will come, the TubeDAC-11 has multitudes more rolling options that the 09 had, but my guess is that there will only be again a handful of tubes that rollers find hands down beat the stock tube, this time a Military Grade Shuguang 6N11.
Finding a used 09 might not be as easy as one would think, I have suggested to many that for the price, hang onto it, it is a great sounding DAC, if you have the 11, the 09 still has it's magic full tube sound that works great with secondary systems and for many has found a nice home in their main system, especially vintage and all SS systems.
Personally, I'd go for the 11, no contest to my ears in my reference systems.
For those in Calgary, I just found three more 09 demos and one new in the box, drop by the showroom if you want one. Hmm, maybe I should auction off the new one.
Cheers,
Ian