Salas hotrodded blue DCB1 build

[Salas]

Thanks Salas.

I have Acoustat 2+2 speakers with a Revel B120 subwoofer (cutting it at 60hz), a PS Audio 200c amp, a modified Behringer DEQ2496 (output stage by-passed with Jensen transformers) and an Audio Widget for dacs and a currently armless VPI HW-19 turntable (looking for an Ittok arm for it). 99% of my music is in flacs in a computer which feeds the audio widget dac by usb and the Berhinger from spdif, using mpd in linux.

Advanced system.

 

[syklab]

Finally I hook up the DCB1 to my Icon and JBL for testing, after 2 hours listening I can tell you that the Icon/JBL never sounds so nice before. Wide sound stage, detail and smooth... I will let it run for a little longer then connect it to my main system.

I havn't replace the PS caps yet, the input/output PRP resistors were replaced, the 2 100uf e-caps were replaced with BG, 2 1M PRP were replaced with Tokyo. Transformer is Talema 100VA 2x15Vac. I will order 2 3R resistors next week to make it hotter.

Thanks for Salas and Tea-bag putting together such a nice project.

I will still need to look for a good remote volume and selector control and put everything in a nice case.

 

[Salas]

Nice one. Tokyo resistor brand? Where you get those and what is their tech?

 

[syklab]

I am using their CM series.

TOKYO KO-ON DENPA WEBSITE

 

[Salas]

Aha, Tokyo is TKD. Did not know the acronym.

 

[Tea-Bag]

Hey Skylab. I have the WFS DAC2 as well, for a couple of years.
What do you think of yours?
Nice work too! That case looks nicer than anything I've owned.

 

[syklab]

The case was from my old tube pre-amp I built 15 years ago. I had the DAC2 for more than 2 years already, I was one of the early owner. I am using a AD1955 DAC (next to the oppo) for the last few months and like the AD1955 better, the DAC2 has more features but I wasn't using much. I don't listen to HD material only CD or flac ripe from my own CD. I us a OPPO 83 SE Nuforce as a transport. Rowland model 2 power amp and Capri pre-amp and I am using the capri for volume control until I decided on one.

 

[Benedetto]

a currently armless VPI HW-19 turntable

Kinda tragic fate....

 

[palmito]

Kinda tragic fate....

Hopefully not for long... it had a Mission arm that I sold. I've been looking for a "bargain" Ittok, but since it has not panned out well, I think I'm going for an audiomods.co.uk modified Rega. Sorry for the OT post...

 

[Salas]

I have a 774. If you could locate an SME IV, great construction and set up, lasts. Will use a heavy mass cart?

 

[palmito]

That's what I sold Salas, a 774. Had it for many years. If I get the Ittok I will try to get a Denon 304, if I splurge on the modifed Rega I will go for a Grado. DCB1'ers will not enjoy all the tt and cartridge talk...

 

[Salas]

Go for an SPU are my last famous OT 5c.

 

[schubert]

Finished my cap testing, kept the Black Gate STD, which finally sounded great after well over 200 hours of break-in. Their imaging and definition was the best of the lot, but I still find them sounding a bit bright. I would rank Slimic II as second best.

The finished thing has a Chinese rcore,
View attachment 278312 View attachment 278313

Where did you source the transformer?

 

[palmito]

Where did you source the transformer?

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I'm happy with it so far...

 

[schubert]

OK, thanks!

 

[atupi]

This buffer would be good (bring audible benefits) also if my amplifier is having a high impedance (100k) and the source is having a low impedance (i.e. Simplistic Riaa preamp).

 

[KatieandDad]

Try it. You can do a DIY test build for pennies.

As its low gain the layout can be tested with a simple PTP test.

 

[palmito]

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low price.

Sorry, made a mistake. I've got that one another equipment! The one I used for the dcb1 was this type, but the model R80-53 (scroll down to the table lower in the page and find that model number):

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[KatieandDad]

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I'm happy with it so far...

Did that really make a massive diffence over a 60VA Toroid ?

I could hardly tell the difference between a decent CRC and Salas Reg, both driven wth an over spec 60VA toroid.

IMO there was little difference between the LM317 Reg supply with a 30VA CRC supply either.

Is this again Snake Oil territory ??

 

[palmito]

Did that really make a massive diffence over a 60VA Troroid ?

I could hardly tell the difference between a decent CRC and Salas Reg, both driven wth an over spec 60VA toroid.

Can't tell you if the rcore itself made a difference, because I did have a toroid (12v 50va) before and wanted to go to 15v and decided to get an rcore based on a previous recommendation in this thread. The improvement in sound could've have been just from moving from 12v to 15v and not the transformer design itself.