Silicon Chip DAC kit

[Greg Erskine]

Originally Posted by sandyK

Greg
If you have a dual polarity JLH with formed electros, why don't you shove it in a plastic bag for now, and simply try it in line with the +-15V supply for the DAC PCB ? It would only take a few minutes if you are using screw terminals on the JLH, and not spade lugs.
Alex

Alex you read my mind. As you posted I just connect the standard DAC up to refresh my memory of the sound, digging out some JLH ripple eaters now.

regards

[Greg Erskine]

Hi Alex,

The brand new JLH ripple eater installed on the 15-0-15 supply. OMFG, I am having trouble comprehending the vast improvement. It must be the power of suggestion or some other voodoo going on here.

Anyway, more testing required to prove I am not just imagining things.

Regards

[sandyK]

Originally Posted by Greg Erskine

Hi Alex,

The brand new JLH ripple eater installed on the 15-0-15 supply. OMFG, I am having trouble comprehending the vast improvement. It must be the power of suggestion or some other voodoo going on here.

Anyway, more testing required to prove I am not just imagining things.

Regards

Hi Greg
First impressions are usually best, especially when coming from the resident sceptic of the listening group !
Are the large electros in that JLH fully "acclimatised "?
If not, the SQ will go up and down in cycles for a little over 48 hours of use before stabilising. Further mods will be more subtle, but will all add up.
Regards
Alex

[Greg Erskine]

Originally Posted by sandyK

Are the large electros in that JLH fully "acclimatised "?

hi Alex,

The JLH caps are virgins.

Regards

[sandyK]

Originally Posted by Greg Erskine

hi Alex,

The JLH caps are virgins.

Regards

Hi Greg
Then expect some very wide swings in SQ for 48 hours or so. In facr, during parts of the electro forming cycle you may think there is something seriously wrong with your DAC.
Regards
Alex

[29740]

Having only recently "finished" mine, I can vouch for all of the 5 single JLHs being very worthwhile in this project. Get them all in there and then...

Wait until you sort out the 3.3v power supplies (as per Alexs mods), then your jaw will really hit the deck!

EDIT

PS

Chris

[alfredrofe]

Hello All, having been involved in the original "taste tests" with Alex some years ago, I can atest that you will be rewarded with some great sound, whilst it may be unfamiliar at first, relax and imbibe it, let it fill your soul and then comment.
May I also add that a prudent reverse engineering of the squeezbox, you will I have no doubt at all, be able to squeeze a more "fragrant" sound from this little instrument which you will all no doubt agree is a compromise of engineers and accountants. When the "artist" engineer prevails (like Alex) angles are heard to sing from even the most modest of mods.
best soldering please
Alfred

[Greg Erskine]

Hi All,

I have had this DAC up going for about 6 months now and am very happy with the results. I have been playing with various versions of the JLH ripple eater on the output board and have found very little difference varying the size and brand of caps. They are all very good. There is a question mark on use of OSCONs though, further experimentation is required.

I have also added an extra JLH ripple eater on the 5V supply of the input board. Initially, I didn't notice a difference but after modding the JLH ripple eater to sandyK's recommendations for lower voltages it is in there to stay.

A few weeks ago I had a chance to directly compare my slightly modded SC DAC to sandyK's fully modded SC DAC and I have to admit there is quite a difference, so I will continue to adding the mods till it is up to sandyK specs. sandyK has kindly given me some of the PCBs and components to proceed, thanks a lot.

Also, at our recent GTG we had a chance to compare these modded SC DACs with a few "known" brand DACs and I have to say these SC DACs can hold their heads high.

So many thanks to sandyK, alfredrofe and of course the designer, nvinen.

regards