Could you please tell me which parts on the BOM deal with the frequency imbalance(if that's what it is) as I would like to alter these first.
cheers
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuqKRBuaKtzYdHVaakFtajlmcTlYVlI4UnJYRlRLM0E
Hi Dario
thanks for pointing me towards your upgrade BOM.
Am I right in thinking that the LPF resistors and caps are the areas that deal with the difference between 4393 and 4396 in the first instance.
Also If I just do these first would the AK4396 chip be out-putting as it should.
cheers
thanks for pointing me towards your upgrade BOM.
Am I right in thinking that the LPF resistors and caps are the areas that deal with the difference between 4393 and 4396 in the first instance.
Also If I just do these first would the AK4396 chip be out-putting as it should.
cheers
Thanks Dario,
I'll get started on those.
I just noticed that last night the fairly well run in DAC was sounding a little light-weighted and bright compared to the analogue of my modded Philips cd940.
It was the first time I've had chance to compare as I have just repaired an Exposure VII pre to use with the DAC.
cheers
I'll get started on those.
I just noticed that last night the fairly well run in DAC was sounding a little light-weighted and bright compared to the analogue of my modded Philips cd940.
It was the first time I've had chance to compare as I have just repaired an Exposure VII pre to use with the DAC.
cheers
Hi there all
Dario I swapped the caps out as well, forgot to mention that, came from a supplier on ebay 10 for £6.00 delivered, thanks again for all the help.
I think ive found another project to do, my brother would like me to build him one of these Dacs like mine, i have the board half populated already, would it be possible to use a single 15-0-15 output transformer instead of buying the R core, or could i use a 12-0-12 transformer soldering the link, i have a 12v TF kicking about in my stores and without load its giving 13.7v out. Or would purchasing the R core be a better bet, would there be a big difference using the single supply to the two input stages instead of seperate supplies.
Best regards and thanks in advance for any replies
James
Dario I swapped the caps out as well, forgot to mention that, came from a supplier on ebay 10 for £6.00 delivered, thanks again for all the help.
I think ive found another project to do, my brother would like me to build him one of these Dacs like mine, i have the board half populated already, would it be possible to use a single 15-0-15 output transformer instead of buying the R core, or could i use a 12-0-12 transformer soldering the link, i have a 12v TF kicking about in my stores and without load its giving 13.7v out. Or would purchasing the R core be a better bet, would there be a big difference using the single supply to the two input stages instead of seperate supplies.
Best regards and thanks in advance for any replies
James
I was able to source all the parts as per Dario's BOM but I'm having a hard time to find a reseller who has the Evox-Rifa SMR cap's. Mouser has the Kemet alternative 80-SMR5104K50J01L4 but is currently out of stock and they have a lead-time of 10 weeks. At Distrelec I can only register as a Business Client, which is also a no-go. Anybody has some other idea to get a hold of these little buggers, really would appreciate it.
Regards
Regards
You can buy them from Sweden (Elfa/Distrelec) which sells worldwide.
If you buy without registering you don't need a VAT number.
Try this way:
www.elfa.se
Select European Union
Search SMR
Selct 100nF 50V
Enter Q.ty, press Buy
Click Shopping cart
When it asks for login select 'Continue without logging in'
Complete form.
I've buyed two weeks ago without problems (apart shipping fee...
)
Listening impressions
I've had a chance to listen to my build which was accomplished using ClaveFreman's BOM. I've been comparing it to my Oppo BDP-95 and at first I thought that the BDP-95 trounced it and then i changed the crummy internal hook-up that i was using with pure silver 26 AWG jacketed in teflon. That made a huge difference and I can say that this board with the OPA827 on each output is far closer to the Oppo than it was before.
Musically, this dac is incredible for the money (just over USD $100) with Clave's BOM. This is the kind of DAC that makes you sit back and enjoy the music and l've listen to track after track with it and it's simply enjoyable. Is it as good as the 95? No, but the 95 uses an I-OUT part that is another generation ahead, it mostly beats the 4396 on noise. It really is impossible to compare parts unless you want to set up identical setups, measure, listen and make your own conclusions. In reality, it's silly because the core of each of these DACs is so different. Plus, the player feeds the DAC with I2s and I feed SPDIF to the AKM board. Again, kind of unfair.
The one thing that I must say is that surface mounts and components don't do bass, treble, midrange, increase or decrease soundstage width or depth. What they do is either a better or worse job than than their peers, but they don't "do music" better than other's, much to the chagrin of many. Having said that, the aggregate of Clave's BOM build is an excellent sounding DAC that competes very well with XYZ over-priced commercial DACs that I have owned or auditioned.
My next project will to build Broskie's Unblancer for this DAC. The Unbalancer takes the full diff output from the chip and outputs SE signal, but the summation occurs in a cathode follower instead of an Opamp.
I can't coment on the boards stock sound because I ordered the kit and never tried the stock components, but the stock LPF values aren't correct, so it's really a worthless comparison anyway!
The BOM was purchased through Mouser, Parts Connexion, and I bought the OPA827s off of an Ebay vendor in Washington state. The dual to single dip header adapter for the Opamps came from Cimmaron Technologies.
What I can say is if you need an affordable DAC that sounds great, build this one
I've had a chance to listen to my build which was accomplished using ClaveFreman's BOM. I've been comparing it to my Oppo BDP-95 and at first I thought that the BDP-95 trounced it and then i changed the crummy internal hook-up that i was using with pure silver 26 AWG jacketed in teflon. That made a huge difference and I can say that this board with the OPA827 on each output is far closer to the Oppo than it was before.
Musically, this dac is incredible for the money (just over USD $100) with Clave's BOM. This is the kind of DAC that makes you sit back and enjoy the music and l've listen to track after track with it and it's simply enjoyable. Is it as good as the 95? No, but the 95 uses an I-OUT part that is another generation ahead, it mostly beats the 4396 on noise. It really is impossible to compare parts unless you want to set up identical setups, measure, listen and make your own conclusions. In reality, it's silly because the core of each of these DACs is so different. Plus, the player feeds the DAC with I2s and I feed SPDIF to the AKM board. Again, kind of unfair.
The one thing that I must say is that surface mounts and components don't do bass, treble, midrange, increase or decrease soundstage width or depth. What they do is either a better or worse job than than their peers, but they don't "do music" better than other's, much to the chagrin of many. Having said that, the aggregate of Clave's BOM build is an excellent sounding DAC that competes very well with XYZ over-priced commercial DACs that I have owned or auditioned.
My next project will to build Broskie's Unblancer for this DAC. The Unbalancer takes the full diff output from the chip and outputs SE signal, but the summation occurs in a cathode follower instead of an Opamp.
I can't coment on the boards stock sound because I ordered the kit and never tried the stock components, but the stock LPF values aren't correct, so it's really a worthless comparison anyway!
The BOM was purchased through Mouser, Parts Connexion, and I bought the OPA827s off of an Ebay vendor in Washington state. The dual to single dip header adapter for the Opamps came from Cimmaron Technologies.
What I can say is if you need an affordable DAC that sounds great, build this one
I'm happy you're enjoying your DAC
...but the stock LPF values aren't correct, so it's really a worthless comparison anyway!
So, according to people that replace the opamp LPF without taking in account the filter specified in datasheet (fc=125kHz, Q=0,692), we're both deaf...
ggetzoff,
I also have an oppo BDP-95 that I've listened to for years. I am feeding the stock version of this DAC with flac files from a computer and it is just fantastic. Better than any CD I have heard. Have you tried this type of media? Unless one uses uncompressed recordings like flac or Apple Lossless the quality can't be heard. Havn't checked it out yet, but a friend told me most of the industry will stop a majority of their CD production next year.
Take a look at this thread for a media server I'm working on.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/203666-myref-integrated-solutions-14.html#post2959896
Regards
I also have an oppo BDP-95 that I've listened to for years. I am feeding the stock version of this DAC with flac files from a computer and it is just fantastic. Better than any CD I have heard. Have you tried this type of media? Unless one uses uncompressed recordings like flac or Apple Lossless the quality can't be heard. Havn't checked it out yet, but a friend told me most of the industry will stop a majority of their CD production next year.
Take a look at this thread for a media server I'm working on.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/203666-myref-integrated-solutions-14.html#post2959896
Regards
bcmbob,
PC wise, that's what I plan on building, nice work. The 4396 board is going in a fiddleback Makore veneered Baltic Birch enclosure with my DCB1. Later, it will by tried with the Unbalancer.
The DAC with Dario's BOM is a treat and very difficult to beat unless it's one of the newer gen chips like AK4399 or ES9018. I would suggest you change the LPF. Again, it rocks.
I've had a chance to listen to my build which was accomplished using ClaveFreman's BOM. I've been comparing it to my Oppo BDP-95 and at first I thought that the BDP-95 trounced it and then i changed the crummy internal hook-up that i was using with pure silver 26 AWG jacketed in teflon. That made a huge difference and I can say that this board with the OPA827 on each output is far closer to the Oppo than it was before.
Musically, this dac is incredible for the money (just over USD $100) with Clave's BOM. This is the kind of DAC that makes you sit back and enjoy the music and l've listen to track after track with it and it's simply enjoyable. Is it as good as the 95? No, but the 95 uses an I-OUT part that is another generation ahead, it mostly beats the 4396 on noise. It really is impossible to compare parts unless you want to set up identical setups, measure, listen and make your own conclusions. In reality, it's silly because the core of each of these DACs is so different. Plus, the player feeds the DAC with I2s and I feed SPDIF to the AKM board. Again, kind of unfair.
The one thing that I must say is that surface mounts and components don't do bass, treble, midrange, increase or decrease soundstage width or depth. What they do is either a better or worse job than than their peers, but they don't "do music" better than other's, much to the chagrin of many. Having said that, the aggregate of Clave's BOM build is an excellent sounding DAC that competes very well with XYZ over-priced commercial DACs that I have owned or auditioned.
My next project will to build Broskie's Unblancer for this DAC. The Unbalancer takes the full diff output from the chip and outputs SE signal, but the summation occurs in a cathode follower instead of an Opamp.
I can't coment on the boards stock sound because I ordered the kit and never tried the stock components, but the stock LPF values aren't correct, so it's really a worthless comparison anyway!
The BOM was purchased through Mouser, Parts Connexion, and I bought the OPA827s off of an Ebay vendor in Washington state. The dual to single dip header adapter for the Opamps came from Cimmaron Technologies.
What I can say is if you need an affordable DAC that sounds great, build this one
x2, i'm planning to build unbalancer as well
do you already have the board? they're out of stock at this moment in glassware store..
should i just build them point to point.. i already bought some of the parts so if i must go with BCF, these parts will go to waste
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just buy an spdif optical module, and connect it to the spdif input in the board
add a switch if you want to use optical and coaxial input simultaneously
I was inspired by plenty of great reviews here and couldn't resist to gain the pcb for my next project I would stay with ClaveFremen's BoM + list of improvemnts + going to add salas shunt reg for opam, hence the questions:
1. what transformers would I need? According to schematics 0-9va transformer could be about 3-4VA, no need to have bigger I assume.
What recommendations would be regarding the 2nd one? Would 7-8VA be enough for analogue sections and opams?
2. those who added salas regs instead of LMs, could I stay with one +-15v (opams + U6 & U8 according to the scheme) and one for D+3.3 completely omitting U4 and U5 regs?
3. will shunt regs make any noticeable difference at all considering other components of hight quality (1% resistors, Elna's, FCs, etc)?
I would stay with ClaveFremen's BoM + list of improvemnts + going to add salas shunt reg for opam, hence the questions:1. what transformers would I need? According to schematics 0-9va transformer could be about 3-4VA, no need to have bigger I assume.
What recommendations would be regarding the 2nd one? Would 7-8VA be enough for analogue sections and opams?
2. those who added salas regs instead of LMs, could I stay with one +-15v (opams + U6 & U8 according to the scheme) and one for D+3.3 completely omitting U4 and U5 regs?
3. will shunt regs make any noticeable difference at all considering other components of hight quality (1% resistors, Elna's, FCs, etc)?
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