I found limited offer ($120 + shipping) from Xiang Sheng Electronics so wanted to share with you as you also might be interested.
I'm placing order tomorrow from here Tube HIFI-DA-03A remote control decoder PCM1794 TE7022 CS3310 TPA6120 amp Item?s description (only black version available) where fee and shipping cost additional 50-80 bucks depended on forwarder and ship to country...
better pictures here: XiangSheng DA-03A DAC Tube Decoders Headphone Amplifier [DA-03] - $236.00 : hlly fm transmitter, low power fm transmitter,tv transmitter
main specs:
Chip: PCM1794A+CS8416+CS3310+TPA6120
USB card: TE7022L or SA9027 (not included, cost additional $10)
Input: USB+COAX+OPT+BNC
Output: OP amp RCA + Tube RCA + headphone
Max. sampling: USB 24/96Khz, the rest 24/192Khz
OPA used: 3xOPA2604AP
Tube used: 6N3 (GE5670)
V regulators: LM337/317
AC: 220V or 110V
size: 260x167x55mm
weight: 2kg
additional specs:
SNR: general port output: 110dB
tube port output: 90dB
Harmonic distortion: general port output: <0.001%
tube port output: <0.1%
Sampling frequencies: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 192KHz
Output Level: 2000mV
Dynamic range: 120dB
Input Impedance: 75 ohms figures
Line Output impedance: 600 ohms
Headphone Output Impedance: 32 Ohms -600 ohms
Headphone output power: 500mW-100mW
remote controls headphone output, channel switching and mute
switching of internal pin allows control of remaining outputs
I will ask for PCB schematics
I think there is a room for improvements so I expect some fun
original source HIFI-DA-03AÒ£¿Øµç×ӹܽâÂëÆ÷PCM1794 TE7022 CS3310 TPA6120¶ú·Å-ÌÔ±¦Íø
some info reg. version 2 Has Anyone Heard the XiangSheng DAC-02A?
I'm placing order tomorrow from here Tube HIFI-DA-03A remote control decoder PCM1794 TE7022 CS3310 TPA6120 amp Item?s description (only black version available) where fee and shipping cost additional 50-80 bucks depended on forwarder and ship to country...
better pictures here: XiangSheng DA-03A DAC Tube Decoders Headphone Amplifier [DA-03] - $236.00 : hlly fm transmitter, low power fm transmitter,tv transmitter
main specs:
Chip: PCM1794A+CS8416+CS3310+TPA6120
USB card: TE7022L or SA9027 (not included, cost additional $10)
Input: USB+COAX+OPT+BNC
Output: OP amp RCA + Tube RCA + headphone
Max. sampling: USB 24/96Khz, the rest 24/192Khz
OPA used: 3xOPA2604AP
Tube used: 6N3 (GE5670)
V regulators: LM337/317
AC: 220V or 110V
size: 260x167x55mm
weight: 2kg
additional specs:
SNR: general port output: 110dB
tube port output: 90dB
Harmonic distortion: general port output: <0.001%
tube port output: <0.1%
Sampling frequencies: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 192KHz
Output Level: 2000mV
Dynamic range: 120dB
Input Impedance: 75 ohms figures
Line Output impedance: 600 ohms
Headphone Output Impedance: 32 Ohms -600 ohms
Headphone output power: 500mW-100mW
remote controls headphone output, channel switching and mute
switching of internal pin allows control of remaining outputs
I will ask for PCB schematics
I think there is a room for improvements so I expect some fun
original source HIFI-DA-03AÒ£¿Øµç×ӹܽâÂëÆ÷PCM1794 TE7022 CS3310 TPA6120¶ú·Å-ÌÔ±¦Íø
some info reg. version 2 Has Anyone Heard the XiangSheng DAC-02A?
I took little bit longer than I originally thought but finally I was able to tweak it to the stage I'm quite happy about
inside of the original version, PCB is pretty tiny and full with limited space for upgrade
image upload no compression
stage 1 contained change of the main filter caps from Chinese noname to Panasonic, it was bit of a pain due to fact that either caps were connecting top and bottom of the PCB without those copper cylinders or they were poor quality that I ripped them off when I was pulling old caps, anyway after successful fix of the problem sound became clean and quiet without background noise, at this stage I could easily compare it to my 2xAK4399 with wider soundstage...like chapel hall wide but it was still lacking some details and clarity at top end I was expecting of it.
stage 2 contained change of the tube output caps from Solen PB-MKP-FC to Jantzen Silver Z-Cap, sound became detailed, crisp and natural but it lost soundstage and airiness...
free picture hosting
stage 3 ... change of the output caps to Mundorf SGO...it exceeded my expectation especially in this price range... precise, clear and natural sound full of details I didn't hear before, it's really different level...
current version...
windows screen capture
Caps are temporary attached through the detachable double pins on top cover, I plan to shorten the wires and use double side scotch tape to stick them on top cover once NOS GE Red 5 Star 5670 arrive, I think that's the last bit and I'm done and more than happy how does it sound
.
inside of the original version, PCB is pretty tiny and full with limited space for upgrade
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
image upload no compression
stage 1 contained change of the main filter caps from Chinese noname to Panasonic, it was bit of a pain due to fact that either caps were connecting top and bottom of the PCB without those copper cylinders or they were poor quality that I ripped them off when I was pulling old caps, anyway after successful fix of the problem sound became clean and quiet without background noise, at this stage I could easily compare it to my 2xAK4399 with wider soundstage...like chapel hall wide
but it was still lacking some details and clarity at top end I was expecting of it. stage 2 contained change of the tube output caps from Solen PB-MKP-FC to Jantzen Silver Z-Cap, sound became detailed, crisp and natural but it lost soundstage and airiness...
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
free picture hosting
stage 3 ... change of the output caps to Mundorf SGO...it exceeded my expectation especially in this price range... precise, clear and natural sound full of details I didn't hear before, it's really different level...
current version...
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
windows screen capture
Caps are temporary attached through the detachable double pins on top cover, I plan to shorten the wires and use double side scotch tape to stick them on top cover once NOS GE Red 5 Star 5670 arrive, I think that's the last bit and I'm done and more than happy how does it sound
.
Nice review and mods of yet another interesting bargain Chinese DAC!
I have the very similar DAC-01A from Xiang Sheng, which I am thinking about modding along the lines of what you have done. I have some questions about this.
As you may know, the DAC-01A was also marketed by Grant Fidelity in North America as the Tube DAC-09---there is a fair bit of information about it in the Grant Fidelity area of diyAudio. (I have one from a Hong Kong seller that I bought for $146+shipping a year ago.) Like your DA-03A, the DAC-01A also has op-amp, tube, and headphone outputs. (The headphone output is not very good.) It uses similar components:
DAC Chip: Cirrus Logic CS4398-CZZ
USB Receiver: CM108
Input: USB+COAX+OPT+2 Analog Ins
Oscillator: TOYOCOM TCO-711A 12.000 Mhz
S/PDIF Receiver: CS8416-CZZ
Op-amps: 2 x LF353-N, 1 x Burr-Brown OPA2604AP
Tube: Chinese 6N3
The R-Core transformer in my DAC-01A is the same as the one in your DA-03A, though even among the DAC-01As, it varies according to production run. (The date on the main PCB under the tube is useful---mine says 2013-05.) Mine is wired so that the voltage can be switched between 110v and 220v via a small switch on the back of the unit---yours doesn't seem to have this switch although the place where it "should" be is clearly visible "above" the transformer in your first pic.
There seems to be some confusion about what sample rates the DAC-01A will accept over USB---I never got it to work beyond 48KHz and I am not convinced anyone else has either. This is the weak link on the DAC-01A---I bought a CM6631A-based USB->SPDIF converter from our friend Weiliang to overcome this shortcoming. (It'll go to 24/192 over SPDIF, like your DA-03A. Indeed, it uses the same SPDIF receiver chip.) Here's the inside of mine:
Most of the capacitors are "Chinese no-name." The output caps are the blue boxes in the upper left of the main PCB. (I guess...) Here's a better look:
You can see that I have replaced the Chinese 6N3 with a GE JAN 5670W. It doesn't make a huge difference... maybe a slight improvement. I also have a Sylvania JHS 5670WA that I haven't tried yet. Eventually I will break down and get a Western Electric 396A, which seems to be the tube of choice in this DAC.
As I understand it, the label "305J250" means 30 x 10^5 pF = 3 uF, 5% tolerance, 250v. These seem to vary greatly across production runs---I have seen units with unlabeled light green caps in this position, as well as models with red (probably WIMA) caps. You should consider yourself lucky that yours came with Solens... a surprisingly boutique choice for a Chinese DAC.
What series of Panasonic caps did you use? I usually just look for anything high ripple, low ESR, but if you have an opinion, I'd like to hear it. How big were the filter caps on yours? Mine has one Rubycon 6800uF/16v, three 3300uF/25v, two 470uF/16v, and a 150uF/250v (probably for the plate voltage on the tube).
Come on! Aren't those caps over $100 each? You only paid $120 for the DAC!
Which price range are you referring to? Are you going to be able to fit those guys inside the case? It looks pretty tight to me. A related question: Have you tried to fit one of those HDAM op-amp modules into the DA-03A? Even with that I'm worried it'll stick up too far... Let me know how it goes and how you like the Red 5 Star. Good luck trying to get a schematic from Xiang Sheng... I know several people have tried without success to get one for the DAC-01A.
I have the very similar DAC-01A from Xiang Sheng, which I am thinking about modding along the lines of what you have done. I have some questions about this.
As you may know, the DAC-01A was also marketed by Grant Fidelity in North America as the Tube DAC-09---there is a fair bit of information about it in the Grant Fidelity area of diyAudio. (I have one from a Hong Kong seller that I bought for $146+shipping a year ago.) Like your DA-03A, the DAC-01A also has op-amp, tube, and headphone outputs. (The headphone output is not very good.) It uses similar components:
DAC Chip: Cirrus Logic CS4398-CZZ
USB Receiver: CM108
Input: USB+COAX+OPT+2 Analog Ins
Oscillator: TOYOCOM TCO-711A 12.000 Mhz
S/PDIF Receiver: CS8416-CZZ
Op-amps: 2 x LF353-N, 1 x Burr-Brown OPA2604AP
Tube: Chinese 6N3
The R-Core transformer in my DAC-01A is the same as the one in your DA-03A, though even among the DAC-01As, it varies according to production run. (The date on the main PCB under the tube is useful---mine says 2013-05.) Mine is wired so that the voltage can be switched between 110v and 220v via a small switch on the back of the unit---yours doesn't seem to have this switch although the place where it "should" be is clearly visible "above" the transformer in your first pic.
There seems to be some confusion about what sample rates the DAC-01A will accept over USB---I never got it to work beyond 48KHz and I am not convinced anyone else has either. This is the weak link on the DAC-01A---I bought a CM6631A-based USB->SPDIF converter from our friend Weiliang to overcome this shortcoming. (It'll go to 24/192 over SPDIF, like your DA-03A. Indeed, it uses the same SPDIF receiver chip.) Here's the inside of mine:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Most of the capacitors are "Chinese no-name." The output caps are the blue boxes in the upper left of the main PCB. (I guess...) Here's a better look:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
You can see that I have replaced the Chinese 6N3 with a GE JAN 5670W. It doesn't make a huge difference... maybe a slight improvement. I also have a Sylvania JHS 5670WA that I haven't tried yet. Eventually I will break down and get a Western Electric 396A, which seems to be the tube of choice in this DAC.
As I understand it, the label "305J250" means 30 x 10^5 pF = 3 uF, 5% tolerance, 250v. These seem to vary greatly across production runs---I have seen units with unlabeled light green caps in this position, as well as models with red (probably WIMA) caps. You should consider yourself lucky that yours came with Solens... a surprisingly boutique choice for a Chinese DAC.
What series of Panasonic caps did you use? I usually just look for anything high ripple, low ESR, but if you have an opinion, I'd like to hear it. How big were the filter caps on yours? Mine has one Rubycon 6800uF/16v, three 3300uF/25v, two 470uF/16v, and a 150uF/250v (probably for the plate voltage on the tube).
Come on! Aren't those caps over $100 each? You only paid $120 for the DAC!Which price range are you referring to?
Are you going to be able to fit those guys inside the case? It looks pretty tight to me. A related question: Have you tried to fit one of those HDAM op-amp modules into the DA-03A? Even with that I'm worried it'll stick up too far... Let me know how it goes and how you like the Red 5 Star. Good luck trying to get a schematic from Xiang Sheng... I know several people have tried without success to get one for the DAC-01A.wdg2101: thanks...
main difference in specs is PCM1794A DAC chip, Tenor 24/96 USB chip, remote control and overall improved layout, don't know what is your headphone amp but this TPA6120 sounds pretty good
WE396A (none cryo version) is at the level of Red 5 star, if you choose cryo version ($100) than you might get best tube on the market for this DAC
those blue caps are output caps so this should be your first choice for upgrade, if you have powerful amplifier you do not need 3.3uf or 2.2uf, 1.5uf should be still OK, now I know I could safe some money...
Yep, I knew I will get version with those Solens as I bought it directly from producer, considering their value it sounded surprisingly good.
I bought all caps at Farnell.com, I changed those 25v/3300uf to Panasonic FC 25V/4700uf, (EEUFC1E472), Rubycon 6800uf has been changed to Panasonic FC 8200uf/16v (EEUFC1C822), 150uf/250v has been changed to Panasonic EE 220uf/200v (EEUEE2D221), 100uf/100v has been changed to Rubycon YXJ 220uf/100v (100YXJ220M12.5X25) and those 470uf/16v (in my case 10v) to Panasonic FM 1000uf/10v (EEUFM1A102L), if you can't get Panasonic type I would look for Nichicon HE/PM version or any other low impedance high ripple
yep, those guys cost $110 each but you will most probably get best sound for your money, it's still not crazy priced like V-Cap or Duelund, of course you can choose cheaper caps like SO version or even cheaper Jantzen etc. I was following this and this (Czech shop where I bought mine) reviews
Price range...first of all I paid for my 2xAK4399 after all mods around $400 so same as tube DAC and which one do you think sound better? than I compared Xiang Sheng DAC to cheapest tube DAC in same category I found which cost around $500 untouched so I still didn't reached it with all of my mods...there is UK seller selling this DAC with mods like mine for +$1K
guys are staying outside, they are too big to fit inside, I'll just shorten wires and that's it, HDAM module will fit if you buy this one, I was able to change top opamp but not those 2, can't see on your board where they are all located and how big space you got between them, second option is extension DIP8 cable from audio-gd or you can make your own one, I'm not going to use discrete output stage so no need for me.
I was trying to get the schematics directly from producer but of course no chance
keep me posted about your progress
main difference in specs is PCM1794A DAC chip, Tenor 24/96 USB chip, remote control and overall improved layout, don't know what is your headphone amp but this TPA6120 sounds pretty good
WE396A (none cryo version) is at the level of Red 5 star, if you choose cryo version ($100) than you might get best tube on the market for this DAC
those blue caps are output caps so this should be your first choice for upgrade, if you have powerful amplifier you do not need 3.3uf or 2.2uf, 1.5uf should be still OK, now I know I could safe some money
...Yep, I knew I will get version with those Solens as I bought it directly from producer, considering their value it sounded surprisingly good.
I bought all caps at Farnell.com, I changed those 25v/3300uf to Panasonic FC 25V/4700uf, (EEUFC1E472), Rubycon 6800uf has been changed to Panasonic FC 8200uf/16v (EEUFC1C822), 150uf/250v has been changed to Panasonic EE 220uf/200v (EEUEE2D221), 100uf/100v has been changed to Rubycon YXJ 220uf/100v (100YXJ220M12.5X25) and those 470uf/16v (in my case 10v) to Panasonic FM 1000uf/10v (EEUFM1A102L), if you can't get Panasonic type I would look for Nichicon HE/PM version or any other low impedance high ripple
yep, those guys cost $110 each but you will most probably get best sound for your money, it's still not crazy priced like V-Cap or Duelund, of course you can choose cheaper caps like SO version or even cheaper Jantzen etc.
I was following this and this (Czech shop where I bought mine) reviews Price range...first of all I paid for my 2xAK4399 after all mods around $400 so same as tube DAC and which one do you think sound better? than I compared Xiang Sheng DAC to cheapest tube DAC in same category I found which cost around $500 untouched so I still didn't reached it with all of my mods...there is UK seller selling this DAC with mods like mine for +$1K
guys are staying outside, they are too big to fit inside, I'll just shorten wires and that's it, HDAM module will fit if you buy this one, I was able to change top opamp but not those 2, can't see on your board where they are all located and how big space you got between them, second option is extension DIP8 cable from audio-gd or you can make your own one, I'm not going to use discrete output stage so no need for me.
I was trying to get the schematics directly from producer but of course no chance
keep me posted about your progress
Sorry, I can't help because my Dac-03a arrived fitted with 3 x LM4562's.
In isolation it sounds Very Good.
Burson V5 x 3 excellent sac rolling
As above I have changed the dacs for Burson V5 with great improvement to just about every aspect of performance. I will be changing caps also. The price of this dac/preamp is a steal
Sorry, I meant opamps
As above I have changed the dacs for Burson V5 with great improvement to just about every aspect of performance. I will be changing caps also. The price of this dac/preamp is a steal
Burson V5
I am only guessing but I suppose that the single opamp towards the front of the unit is the buffer. I have just ordered the Mundorf Silver Gold Oils @ 2.2if to replace the solens and looking forward to trying them.
As above I have changed the dacs for Burson V5 with great improvement to just about every aspect of performance. I will be changing caps also. The price of this dac/preamp is a steal
How many Burson V5 opamp you change and which one in DA-03A you changed? I am in the market to upgrade my DA-03A.
Digital inputs only!
Just be aware that this pre/dac has digital inputs no line level!
There are two outputs one tube/valve and one solid state. I have changed the opamps in mine for burson to good effect.
Just be aware that this pre/dac has digital inputs no line level!
There are two outputs one tube/valve and one solid state. I have changed the opamps in mine for burson to good effect.
yup, i've noted that part already - i can just send my music from spotify to a BT receiver>spdif>dac03
that's another plus: opamp rolling
your burson is more expensive than the dac03 comparison w other dac/pre/hpamp is appreciated - gustard perhaps? heehee
i'm ordering soon - just checking for the best price out there. the link you posted says its only usd100!
no brainer huh?! thanks a lot for this post!all three of them?! that should be a major change then?
is it true that there's an ak4495 in there?
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