Re: Simple DAC better?
I'm as confused as you are. The "simple" DAC was actually the first non oversampling DCA that I've built. It sounded fine in the beginning to me, but I wanted more. So I've built the more elaborate one, and adding reclocking was an upgrade, so after I installed it, I felt it sounded better to me. I was using that "better" DAC for almost a year and was happy with it. Then I started experimenting with active stages (from Rudolf), going I2S direct, battery supplies and synchronous reclocking.
In the meantime I also switched from inverting amps to non inverting (GC amps, that is).
Just when I thought that my modded Marantz CD-94 was all I could be getting from my current digital setup, just for a fun of it (or actually, because I found buyer for my "simple" DAC) I tried it out by connecting to the CD-Pro.
Initially, before warming it up, it sounded like nothing special, but when I checked it out after few hours, I was pleasantly surprised. It presented the music with some sort of harmony that other setups simply didn't. The "small" DAC was very natural and coherent and let me enjoy music actually more than the more elaborate setups.
I am still puzzled by that, but plan to investigate it further. I did also try 8V PS (with output resistors suggested by Fedde) and while this DAC sounds different than the one with 5V supply, it may be also appealing.
The difference in sound between 5V and 8V supplies is very similar to the difference between inverting and non-inverting GC amps. Those who tried both, will know what I mean
The "small" DAC is definitely better than the bigger one. It is almost on level with modded Marantz. The Marantz has more refinement and detail, but I'm still not completely sure if it sounds as natuaral as the "simple" one.
Elso Kwak said:
Hi Peter,
Any clue why the "simple" DAC is better?
I am glad doing one mod at a time......
I'm as confused as you are. The "simple" DAC was actually the first non oversampling DCA that I've built. It sounded fine in the beginning to me, but I wanted more. So I've built the more elaborate one, and adding reclocking was an upgrade, so after I installed it, I felt it sounded better to me. I was using that "better" DAC for almost a year and was happy with it. Then I started experimenting with active stages (from Rudolf), going I2S direct, battery supplies and synchronous reclocking.
In the meantime I also switched from inverting amps to non inverting (GC amps, that is).
Just when I thought that my modded Marantz CD-94 was all I could be getting from my current digital setup, just for a fun of it (or actually, because I found buyer for my "simple" DAC) I tried it out by connecting to the CD-Pro.
Initially, before warming it up, it sounded like nothing special, but when I checked it out after few hours, I was pleasantly surprised. It presented the music with some sort of harmony that other setups simply didn't. The "small" DAC was very natural and coherent and let me enjoy music actually more than the more elaborate setups.
I am still puzzled by that, but plan to investigate it further. I did also try 8V PS (with output resistors suggested by Fedde) and while this DAC sounds different than the one with 5V supply, it may be also appealing.
The difference in sound between 5V and 8V supplies is very similar to the difference between inverting and non-inverting GC amps. Those who tried both, will know what I mean
The "small" DAC is definitely better than the bigger one. It is almost on level with modded Marantz. The Marantz has more refinement and detail, but I'm still not completely sure if it sounds as natuaral as the "simple" one.
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