Diyparadise Monica 3 vs current ebay offerings. Opinions please. Dec 2010

[dublin78]

Hi

I am about to embark on a new all-in-one sytem build to replace my last one:
DIYPARADISE CD63 based "music centre"

My new system will be: The transport from Cambridge Audio D500SE > Tentlabs XO3.2 Low jitter clock > Diyparadise Monica 3 DAC > Nelson Pass B1 Buffer > Hypex UCD180HG hxr.

I have gone for a relatively no compromise choice, and I want to check with you guys that my DAC selection is in keeping with the rest, and that it will not be a bottleneck in terms of sound quality.

There are so many dac modules available on ebay these days, at what look like great prices. How do the following compare with the Monica 3 (which I have already bought)?

One good avantage of the Monica 3, for me, is that it is a very compact pcb, and it can be powered by an existing supply via a peranders super reg.

Small Gigawork: High Grade 24bit/192khz DAC with fully assembled kits on eBay (end time 27-Dec-10 09:48:28 GMT)

Big Gigawork: DA CONVERTER Gigawork 24/192 Up-sampling DAC W USB kit on eBay (end time 03-Jan-11 18:01:38 GMT)

DAC La VOCE: DAC LA VOCE kit 24 bit CONVERTITORE AUDIO con PCM1704 on eBay (end time 31-Dec-10 21:00:53 GMT)

AD1955: DAC Kit AD1955 + AD1896 24BIT / 96KHz Balance Output on eBay (end time 28-Dec-10 19:28:05 GMT)

PCM1798: PCM1798/4 Up Sample DAC PCB DIY Kit High End HLLY on eBay (end time 26-Dec-10 02:23:05 GMT)

PCM76U: HIgh End CD Player DAC Upgrade/Mod Kit,BB PCM67U/DAC-AE on eBay (end time 25-Dec-10 17:36:13 GMT)

CS4398: Upsampling 24/192 DAC KIT, USB input,mainboard CS4398 on eBay (end time 26-Dec-10 12:10:51 GMT)

TDA1541A: Hi-End CD DAC TDA1541 A ( CS8412 & SAA7220 ) Kit Deluxe on eBay (end time 04-Jan-11 03:27:20 GMT)

That is plenty for now, but feel free to recommend others.

Ideally, I would like to stick with the Monica 3, unless it is poorly regarded.

[sendler]

I would go with the Big Dac Board with a CS4398 running direct out. You can actually cut the board in half if you want to save space since you won't need any of the opamp side. This loses the relay though. I also have two Hypex modules if you want to buy them 1/2 price. I am using Tripath.
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[Sveinung]

I am also wondering on what DAC kit to buy and how good the different kits really are. What DAC kit(total below around 300USD) have the best sound? Is the big gigawork dac really that good compared to other alternatives?

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by Sveinung

I am also wondering on what DAC kit to buy and how good the different kits really are. What DAC kit(total below around 300USD) have the best sound? Is the big gigawork dac really that good compared to other alternatives?

The mega thread on the gigawork is a testament to how good it can sound. Consider that Decware sells a retail version of it on sale for $900 (albeit with better caps probably and opamps). There are way too many DACs out there to sift through opinion - you will just have to jump right in and buy one knowing you will probably buy another and another until you find the 'right one'. The gigawork with output transformer mod is so simple and you just can't beat it for anywhere near the money. However, personally I prefer the AD1865 kit from raindrop_hui on ebay. But that's because I like the NOS-sound. I highly recommend his DACs and outut stages in general - good quality

Don't forget Audio-GD DACs. The NFB-3 comes to $360 shipped but it's very well made and you would pay a LOT more if it was a brand name. It's cheap enough to give the hassle of building a kit a second thought; but again, as far as simple mods and price/performance, get the gigawork and some output transformers and call it a day - at least until you'e ready to try something else.

[woodturner-fran]

Peter Daniels nos dac is an excellent performer - on a par with the sabre dacs and pass d1.

Audiosector.com and a member here....

[Bill Fuss]

Originally Posted by Sveinung

I am also wondering on what DAC kit to buy and how good the different kits really are. What DAC kit(total below around 300USD) have the best sound? Is the big gigawork dac really that good compared to other alternatives?

The Chinese upsampling 4398 boards are much better than their price would suggest. I'm not a fan of NOS dacs, but I do appreciate the analog like sound, and the upsamplers do a great job of providing it, along with the definition and detail you don't usually get with NOS.

As Sendler said, it is a total waste to hang a couple opamps on the output of a dac chip that already has 2Vrms available at its pins. The trafo OP mod using good trafos like Jensens or Cinemags puts the dac in an entirely different class. Pure cream!

Ultimately, the true bottleneck with any outboard dac is the SPDIF conversions from the transport or player through the dac's receiver chip, it is inherently inferior to the native I2S inside the player. If you want a superior player, mount the dac board inside the player, eliminate the receiver chip, and feed I2S direct to the board. PSAudio developed a transmission system for I2S that looks very good also, using balanced line drivers. Very DIY friendly, they posted here about it.

Reclocking the SPDIF does improve things but it's still a compromise, much depending on your cabling and wiring.

I guess that's enough out of me, there are plenty of other opinions.

[dublin78]

Thanks for your opinions.

I will be putting the dac in with the player , so 12S is an option.

Is it simple to locate the 12S inside the Cambridge Audio player?

Which DACs can input 12S direct?

There is the DDDAC1543 MK2 DDDAC 2000 Though this is another NOS dac.

[woodturner-fran]

I have a DDDac too - nice sound, but I do think Peter Daniels one is nicer. If you are interested in the DDDac one, I'm interested in selling mine. I have the USB module, SPDIF receiver, and 2 DAC boards with the towers.


Fran

[Bill Fuss]

Originally Posted by dublin78

Thanks for your opinions.

I will be putting the dac in with the player , so 12S is an option.

Is it simple to locate the 12S inside the Cambridge Audio player?

Which DACs can input 12S direct?

There is the DDDAC1543 MK2 DDDAC 2000 Though this is another NOS dac.

Now you have a quest to find out what chips are inside your player to find the I2S. AFAIK, all dac chips can input I2S.

I bought a 1543MK2 a few yrs ago. I don't want to offend any NOSers out there so I'm maintaining silence.

[dublin78]

I forgot to mention that I am keen to have multiple digital inputs, so that I can add a Sonos music streamer for convenience. I have bought a Twisted Pear MUX reciever to allow this, so the direct 12S route from transport will probably not be possible, although the reciever can output 12S. http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/cs8416mux.aspx

Whilst we are on the TP subject, is their Sabre Dac that far ahead of the others? The thing that is putting me off it, is the necessity for the IVY stage, 2x power supplies etc. I have asked over on the TP forum, whether I can use the Nelson Pass B1 buffer instead of the IVY stage. Any ideas?