Thanks nycavsr2000 and Peter. This was just the kind of information I was looking for. I had used flux paste the second half of the build, but there could easily be a bad solder joint somewhere. I'm going to get a 10x magnifying glass and start looking at the connections. I'll check the voltages too. Thanks for your help.
Tfrei,
You're welcome. Please keep us in the loop as you finish the build and post some pics. The dac is a real treat. A fancy power cord is a real plus. I use VH Audio Flavor 4 which you can DIY. Other than the output caps (which are already the excellent BG NX types), the only other tweak I can think of is the power cord. This is already a fully tweaked and tuned design. Thanks to Peter.
Anand.
You're welcome. Please keep us in the loop as you finish the build and post some pics. The dac is a real treat. A fancy power cord is a real plus. I use VH Audio Flavor 4 which you can DIY. Other than the output caps (which are already the excellent BG NX types), the only other tweak I can think of is the power cord. This is already a fully tweaked and tuned design. Thanks to Peter.
Anand.
Hey Peter sorry if we have been over this in the past...
Your DAC, fed by a SqueezeBox3 (probably Bolder modded) could it give enough volume to one of your amps (BG and premium spec'd)? Would the volume control through the SqueezeBox3 work?
My speakers only need like volume up to not even half of what the SqueezeBox3 puts out with its opamp removed to hurt your ears bad...
Also any need for stacking 1543 chips? How do you rate the 1543 in all the elements (imaging etc) say compared to a 1541a?
This all comes about when using an Adcom 575 CD player with a 1541a in it blew away my Squeezebox3 (lots of mods), much softer sounding, more clear imaging, etc....
Your DAC, fed by a SqueezeBox3 (probably Bolder modded) could it give enough volume to one of your amps (BG and premium spec'd)? Would the volume control through the SqueezeBox3 work?
My speakers only need like volume up to not even half of what the SqueezeBox3 puts out with its opamp removed to hurt your ears bad...
Also any need for stacking 1543 chips? How do you rate the 1543 in all the elements (imaging etc) say compared to a 1541a?
This all comes about when using an Adcom 575 CD player with a 1541a in it blew away my Squeezebox3 (lots of mods), much softer sounding, more clear imaging, etc....
I think it was some 4-5 years ago last time I was comparing those two DAC chips.
I still have a DAC based on parallel TDA1541 (see attached pic, uses S2 chips). The DAC sounded initially better than my TDA1543 prototype, but after some parts swapping and mods I was able to match TDA1541 tonality, while TDA1543 still had better clarity, immediacy and PRAT. Since then, I never went back to TDA1541.
The volume control through the SqueezeBox3 will work with my DAC. The output level is approx 2V so it's pretty high and enough to drive the GC amp directly. No need for stacking chips either.
I still have a DAC based on parallel TDA1541 (see attached pic, uses S2 chips). The DAC sounded initially better than my TDA1543 prototype, but after some parts swapping and mods I was able to match TDA1541 tonality, while TDA1543 still had better clarity, immediacy and PRAT. Since then, I never went back to TDA1541.
The volume control through the SqueezeBox3 will work with my DAC. The output level is approx 2V so it's pretty high and enough to drive the GC amp directly. No need for stacking chips either.
Attachments
Well we shall soon see very well perhaps. The price is $280 for it with BGs? Then $30 for transformer, $20 for Cardas, how much for the new chassis? What about BNC connector instead, or do you offer 75ohm stuff? (no optical needed)
I think I believe you on the 1543. The mini, HiFi DIY one I made sounded like a $950 CD player on batteries. I bet yours can up that. I have really good filtering for my AC too.
I think I believe you on the 1543. The mini, HiFi DIY one I made sounded like a $950 CD player on batteries. I bet yours can up that. I have really good filtering for my AC too.
DOS,
I use my modified SB3 and Peter's NOS dac in such a configuration while using the internal digital SB3 volume control. Works fine. It seems as though the resolution drops when the volume control is less than 75, but for most critical listening (i.e. loud), it sounds very, very, very good. An analog volume control would be theoretically better, but I haven't tried that yet. Simplicity has its merits if you can get away with it. The amp I am using is Peter's gainclone and the speakers are about 86 dB/1w/1m in sensitivity.
Best,
Anand.
I use my modified SB3 and Peter's NOS dac in such a configuration while using the internal digital SB3 volume control. Works fine. It seems as though the resolution drops when the volume control is less than 75, but for most critical listening (i.e. loud), it sounds very, very, very good. An analog volume control would be theoretically better, but I haven't tried that yet. Simplicity has its merits if you can get away with it. The amp I am using is Peter's gainclone and the speakers are about 86 dB/1w/1m in sensitivity.
Best,
Anand.
Re: USB DAC
Yeah, I got it, but all I got in return is this:
.""This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.
Unable to deliver message to the following recipients, due to being unable to connect successfully to the destination mail server.
wade.xxxx@xxxx-usa.com
".
Do you have an alternative method of communication?
Anyway, your calculations are OK, add $20 shipping for complete package ($250 + $20 + $30). Paypal to my email address
wdavis009 said:
Yeah, I got it, but all I got in return is this:
.""This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.
Unable to deliver message to the following recipients, due to being unable to connect successfully to the destination mail server.
wade.xxxx@xxxx-usa.com
".
Do you have an alternative method of communication?
Anyway, your calculations are OK, add $20 shipping for complete package ($250 + $20 + $30). Paypal to my email address
I'm not familiar with Burson buffer, but IIRC somebody was reporting that Levinson buffer was working better: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=805978#post805978
Currently, I recommend Borberly buffer and the mods were described here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1378671#post1378671
To lower the gain of the amp, you may increase the value of R3 from 680R to 1k2 or so. If that's not enough, insert higher series resistance (R1): 22k would be a good value to start.
Currently, I recommend Borberly buffer and the mods were described here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1378671#post1378671
To lower the gain of the amp, you may increase the value of R3 from 680R to 1k2 or so. If that's not enough, insert higher series resistance (R1): 22k would be a good value to start.
The one thing about the Burson is that it matches impedence. I guess I have to ask, does yours? The Burson uses their discrete op-amps too. I guess thing of that is does matching impedence matter, and how good are the opamps on your boards?
http://www.bursonaudio.com/Burson_HDAM_Module.htm
http://www.bursonaudio.com/Burson_Audio_Buffer.htm
Price wise I can probably get one used for not too bad.
What do your buffers cost? (got to ask, I do love your stuff so far)
I have been reading some more and your buffers interest me a lot! What type of power do they take?
http://www.bursonaudio.com/Burson_HDAM_Module.htm
http://www.bursonaudio.com/Burson_Audio_Buffer.htm
Price wise I can probably get one used for not too bad.
What do your buffers cost? (got to ask, I do love your stuff so far)
I have been reading some more and your buffers interest me a lot! What type of power do they take?
Destroyer OS. said:
There are no opamps on my boards. Those are directly based on a buffer used in $18,000 Levinson DAC: http://www.marklevinson.com/products/overview.asp?cat=dap&prod=no30-6
While Burson is specified to have 15-30ohm output impedance, Levinson buffer has less than 6 ohm.
However, since I learned that Borberly buffer works even better in this particular application, and is much cheaper to built, I don't promote Levinson buffer any longer.
The kit is still available though, at $150.
More comments about actual comparison here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1378968&highlight=#post1378968
ML buffer schematic here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=805978&stamp=1136397897
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