Charlize/Trends TA10 modded + USB DAC or Nuforce icon

[Rafoo]

Hello everyone, I'm planning to get an amp for my room (9m²) using my laptop as a jukebox with an USB DAC.

I've got different options :

-To build a charlize amp with a USB dac in the same case
-To buy a trends ta10 (modded or not) and a superpro dac with usb
-To buy a nuforce icon.

About the charlize, I think the price will be higher than with the other options becaus I have to buy the case, connectors etc.

About the trends, I've found 2 modded versions, the first one is the mardis V3 here http://www.audio-magus.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TA10M3
and the modded version from ndi http://www.ndi-france.com/article.php?articleID=184 with caps changed for BlackGate FKs and ModWright Teflons. Which one is the best mod ? maybe a combinaison of both.
I can also tweak it myself, but I have to know how.

And finaly about the nuforce, it is the cheapest option, but with a class d amp, a nice finish and a usb dac integrated.

All I want to know is wich one will sound best, and at what costs if I have to tweak them. I read that a stock charlize can rivalize with a tweaked trends, but what about the nuforce ?

 

[dweekie]

I had a Nuforce and quite a few tripath amps. The Nuforce is alright, but a tweaked tripath amp will beat it. The DAC portion is just the basic PCM270x circuit with big electrolytic output caps. A Charlize and Monica could work for you as an all in one solution if you want to build up your own enclosure. The Monica should be quite a bit better than both the Superdac and the Nuforce dacs.

 

[Rafoo]

Ok then I think I'll go for the charlize. But the monica dac is quite expensive compared to this

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140239887484

with this for the usb connection

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180252440478

I read that this dac s using a really good chip but with cheap caps etc that can easily be replaced by better ones. What do you think about that ?

 

[dweekie]

There was a very detailed mod thread on that dac somewhere, I think on pink fish media forums. I'll link it if I can find it again. People seemed to like it on the thread. I have no personal experience with it.

 

[dweekie]

There was a very detailed mod thread on that dac somewhere, I think on pink fish media forums. I'll link it if I can find it again. People seemed to like it on the thread. I have no personal experience with it.

This seems like it.

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42848

 

[Rafoo]

Thank you very much Dweekie !

 

[Rafoo]

Hi,

I got a question about charlize's PSU.

I've got 2 solutions : to use this PSU :

http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=264

It has an output at 13,7V the exact voltage needed for best perf on a t2020 amp. but it is 50 euros and I need to add a 30 euros rcore transformer.
On the other hand I can buy an smps psu (I heard many good things about this kind of psu) like this one :

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350067999934

Look at the price ! It is 12V but isn't it tweakable ?

 

[Nanook]

an option you may have not seen

check here
(Audiomagnus..)

stew

 

[Rafoo]

Hi,

I've found various smps supply on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.fr/60W-12V-5A-Switc...ryZ48632QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.fr/DC-12V-5A-Switch...ryZ60839QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350072678475
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190219256068
http://cgi.ebay.fr/SMPS-8080-12-vol...ryZ36323QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem

Is there a chance they can be good for the charlize ?

Does they need some tweaks ? some things to do before getting some good sound ?

 

[hoka]

Hi,

I've found various smps supply on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.fr/60W-12V-5A-Switc...ryZ48632QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.fr/DC-12V-5A-Switch...ryZ60839QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350072678475
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190219256068
http://cgi.ebay.fr/SMPS-8080-12-vol...ryZ36323QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem

Is there a chance they can be good for the charlize ?

Does they need some tweaks ? some things to do before getting some good sound ?

all of these will work, but you can also consider running Charlize on a lead acid battery. that works great for me!