90%
Audio Mirror WAVE Tube DAC
Reviews
WAVE Tube- Based DAC. This is everything you want to hear from a DAC. Dynamics, transparency, imaging, soundstage, details, no fatigue, 3D, separation between instruments, no “one tone” bass, big body and big sound. This exceptional DAC rivals 3 times more expensive ones on the market.
Where to start….It was a long journey with big expectations but unclear result. Took 2 years to complete the journey and now enjoy the result.
WAVE Tube DAC is finally complete and sounds outstanding. It actually surpassed all our expectations!
Now the technical part:
All format PCM and DSD native reproduction. All format inputs COAX, Optical, AES, USB and I2S. Software based volume control with option to bypass. Volume control has 64 steps, not percentage. When VOLUME is turned all the way UP, it is bypassed. Two separate filters for PCM and DSD(over USB). When I2S is used, there is no DSD filter. Option to invert the phase of the signal.
Dual parallel DAC chips. No capacitors in the signal path. USB is self powered and because of that you can use USB cable providing only the signal, but not power, which allows for better sound.
Very elaborated tube based power supply including special filtering, dual choke, separate DC filament power supply for all tubes. Super high-end components. All silver wiring. Special design IV conversion. Tube gain stage is based on Russian super tube 6С45П-E. This tube outperforms any 9 pin tube(including 417, D3A) normally used in gain stages. 3 transformers, 6 dual regulated digital power supplies, 4 regulated analog power supplies.
Sound: This is the hardest part, because it is a personal opinion, not necessary to align with others.
Well the sound is immersive. Feels like you are in the studio. You hear some tiny, in the background details and sound you’ve never heard or expected to be recorded. Very lively and spacious sound with big body and very refined mids and highs.
One more thing that might sound ridiculous or offensive to vinyl lovers and audiophiles. It outperforms vinyl sound!
I know how crazy it sounds. I was and still am a vinyl guy, but I have to admit – it sounds amazing and I prefer it over vinyl in 80% of the time.
For extra $1200 you can get the best possible clock oscillators. Please inquire.
USER MANUAL
WAVE DAC has a delay turn ON for about 1 minute.
The knob on the left side is a POWER ON/OFF (rotary) switch. The knob on the right side is multifunctional. It is a VOLUME/MENU/INPUTS control when rotated and SELECT when pushed.
All this same functions are included in the remote control.
Display shows every function from MENU when you are setting the DAC and when playing shows INPUT, Filter, Phase, PCM/DSD and sample rate. Screen time can be set to 3 different timers after which it goes OFF or to be all time ON.
POWER ON/OFF knob once turned ON can be left at ON position and use the remote STDBY to turn ON and OFF the DAC. If you plan not to use DAC for long period of time, like more than a week, it is recommended to turn OFF the DAC from the power knob, not from remote.
There is a switch on the rear panel for selecting XLR or RCA outputs. Both can not be used at the same time
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Professional Reviews 90/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
75/100
Features Connectivity
86/100
Value for Money
94/100
The WAVE Tube DAC delivers holographic scale, natural realism, and a remarkably grain-free presentation, creating vividly separated instruments, weighty vocals, and explosive dynamic swings. HiFi Huff found its immersive, three-dimensional sound especially revealing in a finely resolved system, while USB brings the most immediate, hard-hitting performance. Extensive connectivity and DSD1024 support complete this ambitious flagship converter.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally immersive, large-scale soundstage with clean three-dimensional separation and convincing instrumental body.
Natural, lifelike tonal balance with strong emotional engagement and no reported grain, grit, or digital hardness.
Powerful dynamics and tight, explosive bass; USB was preferred for its more forceful, immediate character.
Broad digital connectivity, balanced and RCA outputs, selectable filters, and PCM 768kHz/DSD1024 capability.
&
Cons
The 64-step volume control was described as jumpy, making fixed-output operation at maximum setting preferable.
Requires substantial burn-in according to the review experience; early listening was somewhat sharp and energetic.
RCA and XLR outputs cannot be used simultaneously.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The WAVE Tube DAC is described as unusually lifelike, emotionally involving, and free of the hard or ragged qualities often associated with digital playback. HiFi Huff also heard exceptional scale, dimensionality, dynamic impact, and clearly separated musical lines.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
96/100
HiFi Huff calls the presentation “natural sounding” and “uber real,” rather than warm or fat. The reviewer specifically highlights realism, emotional connection, and immersion, reporting goosebumps on vocals and a strongly involving presentation.
Resolution and Detail
94/100
Instruments, voices, and backing vocals are said to remain distinctly separated, with individual notes occupying a cleanly defined three-dimensional space. The reviewer’s strongest observation is that they had “never heard metal songs with the detail,” particularly in the clarity of individual instruments and vocal layers.
Digital Performance
92/100
The reviewer reports “no digital nasties,” describing the WAVE as free from grain, grit, hardness, and ragged edges. USB was preferred to coaxial for its more dynamic, harder-hitting character, while coaxial sounded comparatively softer and mellower.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
75/100
The supplied review offers little direct commentary on chassis execution, internal layout, component quality, or long-term durability. The product is substantial in physical terms, but the review does not examine its construction in enough detail to draw stronger conclusions.
Features Connectivity
86/100
Connectivity is comprehensive, including USB, coaxial, optical, AES, and I2S inputs, plus both RCA and balanced XLR outputs. It supports PCM up to 768 kHz and native or DoP DSD through DSD1024, with selectable PCM and DSD filters and a 64-step volume control; RCA and XLR outputs cannot be used simultaneously.
Value for Money
94/100
At $22,000, the WAVE remains a serious investment, but HiFi Huff compares its freedom from digital artifacts with far costlier exotic DACs, including Nagra models. After several weeks of listening, the reviewer calls it a “massive deal,” despite noting that it is not inexpensive.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Audio Mirror WAVE Tube DAC
- AVL Gear — online and in-store — Santa Fe Springs, California, United States (website)
- Chicago Hifi — in-store — Northfield, Illinois, United States (website)
- JMI Audio & Video — online and in-store — Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico (website)
- Sadurni Acoustics — in-store — Austin, Texas, United States (website)