So many DACs, which to choose

[Andrea:]

Or a Musiland/DIYEDEN MD10, which is the SVDAC05 with a better display & headphone amp.

But in case you weren't happy with the stock OP275, you'd have to desolder it (it's SMD) and solder an AD8599 or an OPA1612.

[Andrea:]

Forgot to say that the stock Super Pro 707 fits your sonic taste too, thanks to (the CS4398 and) its LT1364 opamp.

[martinbls]

Hi Andrea,

thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experiences!

I have to admit, I had never thought about such a very inexpensive, small device like the Super Pro 707. But I agree, it has a decent shipset, nice opa's, and concerning the output caps, I am just waiting for a piece of gear in which my spare BG-N 4,7/50 might fit into!

Building a proper power supply wouldn't be a problem, since I have different high quality transformers, caps and stuff like that in my parts bin.

I just noticed that there is a new version of the 707 selling, which converts from USB directly into I2S for feeding the CS4398, which I consider way better than converting into SPDIF and then back to I2S for the DAC chip.

But, what do you think is the main difference between the Super Pro 707 and the Musiland SVDAC05, besides the better build in power supply (which I can build on my own for the 707) and the integrated headphone amp (which I don't need at all)?

There was a DAC shootout on TNT Audio recently, in which the reviewer claimed that the Super Pro is a bit more on the detailed, bright sight of the spectrum, and the KingRex for example being a bit more dark sounding, with more wight in the lower octaves. Would you agree with that?

USB DAC shoot-out [English] - SuperPro24/192/KingRex UD-01/Devildsound

Hmmm, quite a difficult choice...

Thanks!
Martin

[martinbls]

Hi Bill,

I now what you mean concerning op-amps, and it's what many people say.
In case op-amps wouldn't be the way to go, perhaps this kit would be a better choice, since it has a fully discrete j-fet output stage integrated:

DAC kit AD1865N-K NOS 1.0 NOS bei eBay.de: Amplifiers (endet 26.12.09 02:49:41 MEZ)

This is what Lukasz Fikus says about it:

ad1865

But unfortunately it has no USB input, and further more the SPDIF input seems to be designed poorly, regarding to the experiences of Lukasz.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Martin

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by martinbls

Hi Andrea,

thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experiences!

I have to admit, I had never thought about such a very inexpensive, small device like the Super Pro 707. But I agree, it has a decent shipset, nice opa's, and concerning the output caps, I am just waiting for a piece of gear in which my spare BG-N 4,7/50 might fit into!

Building a proper power supply wouldn't be a problem, since I have different high quality transformers, caps and stuff like that in my parts bin.

I just noticed that there is a new version of the 707 selling, which converts from USB directly into I2S for feeding the CS4398, which I consider way better than converting into SPDIF and then back to I2S for the DAC chip.

But, what do you think is the main difference between the Super Pro 707 and the Musiland SVDAC05, besides the better build in power supply (which I can build on my own for the 707) and the integrated headphone amp (which I don't need at all)?

There was a DAC shootout on TNT Audio recently, in which the reviewer claimed that the Super Pro is a bit more on the detailed, bright sight of the spectrum, and the KingRex for example being a bit more dark sounding, with more wight in the lower octaves. Would you agree with that?

USB DAC shoot-out [English] - SuperPro24/192/KingRex UD-01/Devildsound

Hmmm, quite a difficult choice...

Thanks!
Martin

Hi Martin,

The opamps being the same, and the output caps being Wima film caps in both, the SVDAC05 and the last version (that with I2S) Super Pro sound exactly the same for my ears. This is with coaxial digital input, and with the Super Pro's stock power supply. So I kind of doubt the practical benefits of a "better" power supply with the digital and analog power lines separated from the transformer's secondary winding..

Alternatively, you can consider the NG98 by "HA INFO", which can be bought with the CS4398 or with the AD1852 at your choice.


Regarding the stock Super Pro, it may be slightly bright sounding due to the chosen opamp (LT1364), but it's got smooth and lush midrange, and musical... For a more solid and rounder sound, just change opamp to OPA1611/1612, or AD8599.

[Andrea:]

I was forgetting... I liked the full and lush sound, with very good tonality, that the LME49720HA (TO99 package) conveyed to my Super Pro. I finally went with the (slightly brighter) OPA1611 (just for that ineffable pride in using single opamps ) but I could just as well have lived with the LME49720HA.

[Pano]

I can give a big thumbs up to the Super Pro. Change out the analog section and it sounds great. Very simple to do. I also used bigger, better caps on the power section.
Hard to beat for the anywhere near the price.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by panomaniac

I can give a big thumbs up to the Super Pro. Change out the analog section and it sounds great. Very simple to do. I also used bigger, better caps on the power section.
Hard to beat for the anywhere near the price.

Yup...

I've added a few caps too... Rubycon ZL 470uF 25V in the main power line, a ZLH 100uF 16V in the DAC power supply, and a couple of Wima & couple of Evox film bypasses.

But the latest version comes with a Rubycon YXG 220uF 35V power cap, which is good and doesn't require that you change it. It's necessary to remove it to change the opamp, though...

And as I mentioned I definitely recommend changing the two output caps, with more audiophile-approved Wima MKS2 4.7uF like I did, for instance.


Regarding the opamps... nothing has beaten the OPA1611 for my ears... including LME49720HA (2nd best for me), OPA827, OPA211AID, LME49723...

I'd recommend trying also the LME49725 though (haven't come to try it myself)

[martinbls]

Allright, I did it. Just bought the latest version of the Super Pro 707. I will try some different OP-amps, but I'm also very excited about the sound of the stock unit!

And even if this one would not satisfy my needs, it would be a nice USBtoSPDIF converter, too :-)

Thanks a lot for all your comments and advices!!

Kind Regards,
Martin

[Pano]

Let us know how you like it!

Stock, it did not please me - but it was easy to modify.
Maybe you'll like it just fine.