BII+Legato vs BB PCM1704+D1 I/V NP

merlin el mago · 27th April 2011, 02:41 PM

After 9 days of extensive listening sessions I can conclude that sounds a lot better CS8414+DF1704+PCM1704+D1 I/V Nelson Pass than BII+Legato in single end & balanced mode vs single end mode PCM1704+NP D1 I/V, details:

CS8414+DF1704+PCM1704 with Erno Borbely series regulators (one +5V (CS8414+DF1704 & two +-5V for PCM1704, NP D1 I/V LM317+LM337 for +-30V

BII+Legato with Salas regs V1.2R for BII, Salas reg V1.0 remote sense for Legato & set of 3 Trident regs for BII

I use Sony Vaio laptop like source, both share USB 2.0 HiFace with Salas 1.0 remote sense reg

N.B. Erno Borbely adviced me that PCM1704 sounds better than BII, next step I will change Legato I/V for Classic Pass Labs D1 I/V with an ESS Dac designed by Owen (opc)

Gluca · 27th April 2011, 04:11 PM

by all means try something different for the IV conversion and output stage: that makes a BIG difference.

I am using 8x1704 and BII with the same (tube based) IV and output buffer and I can tell you that the old BB chips still do an excellent work but the ESS chips really rocks. I am not saying I prefer 9018 as I keep on alternating the two dacs, they are just different. In a short word: the PCM1704 have more low level details while the 9018 has an explosive rhythmic and dynamics

merlin el mago · 27th April 2011, 06:21 PM

I own Borbely I/V with his own all fet regs for PCM1704 & that's sound faboulous, yes you are right the Sabre ESS 9018 is an excellent DAC surely only needs a better I/V (I tested with IVY & Legato), will see what's happen with Owen (opc forum member) I/V board developed from Nelson Pass to be adapted for Sabre ESS9018 chip, I think like you Sabre chip only needs a very good I/V.

merlin el mago · 28th April 2011, 08:20 AM

I forgot to told that Legato was upgraded without lytics on the signal way used Auricaps 4.7uF MKP instead Muse BP...

rdk845 · 30th April 2011, 06:15 AM

I eagerly look forward to hear about results with owen's D1. Have one Buffalo II and looking into buidling D1 for it, if it turns out to be same level as boberly 1704.

merlin el mago · 30th April 2011, 10:56 AM

Time to finish Owen's D1, first I will supply the D1 with LM317-337 & after depending results I will do the proper Salas regulators.

lil' knight · 30th April 2011, 11:26 AM

Any idea about where to get the Borbely's IV pcb these days?

merlin el mago · 1st May 2011, 02:05 PM

I will ask Erno & let you know.

rdk845 · 21st May 2011, 07:30 PM

Any impression on D1 vs. legato? Thanks!

merlin el mago · 21st May 2011, 08:06 PM

Still not, I will let you know.

27th April 2011, 02:41 PM	#1
merlin el mago diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Blanes - Costa Brava	BII+Legato vs BB PCM1704+D1 I/V NP After 9 days of extensive listening sessions I can conclude that sounds a lot better CS8414+DF1704+PCM1704+D1 I/V Nelson Pass than BII+Legato in single end & balanced mode vs single end mode PCM1704+NP D1 I/V, details: CS8414+DF1704+PCM1704 with Erno Borbely series regulators (one +5V (CS8414+DF1704 & two +-5V for PCM1704, NP D1 I/V LM317+LM337 for +-30V BII+Legato with Salas regs V1.2R for BII, Salas reg V1.0 remote sense for Legato & set of 3 Trident regs for BII I use Sony Vaio laptop like source, both share USB 2.0 HiFace with Salas 1.0 remote sense reg N.B. Erno Borbely adviced me that PCM1704 sounds better than BII, next step I will change Legato I/V for Classic Pass Labs D1 I/V with an ESS Dac designed by Owen (opc)

30th April 2011, 11:26 AM	#7
lil' knight diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009	Any idea about where to get the Borbely's IV pcb these days? __________________

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27th April 2011, 04:11 PM	#2
Gluca tarmac ripper diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Back to Italy	by all means try something different for the IV conversion and output stage: that makes a BIG difference. I am using 8x1704 and BII with the same (tube based) IV and output buffer and I can tell you that the old BB chips still do an excellent work but the ESS chips really rocks. I am not saying I prefer 9018 as I keep on alternating the two dacs, they are just different. In a short word: the PCM1704 have more low level details while the 9018 has an explosive rhythmic and dynamics

27th April 2011, 06:21 PM	#3
merlin el mago diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Blanes - Costa Brava	I own Borbely I/V with his own all fet regs for PCM1704 & that's sound faboulous, yes you are right the Sabre ESS 9018 is an excellent DAC surely only needs a better I/V (I tested with IVY & Legato), will see what's happen with Owen (opc forum member) I/V board developed from Nelson Pass to be adapted for Sabre ESS9018 chip, I think like you Sabre chip only needs a very good I/V.

28th April 2011, 08:20 AM	#4
merlin el mago diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Blanes - Costa Brava	I forgot to told that Legato was upgraded without lytics on the signal way used Auricaps 4.7uF MKP instead Muse BP...

30th April 2011, 06:15 AM	#5
rdk845 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	I eagerly look forward to hear about results with owen's D1. Have one Buffalo II and looking into buidling D1 for it, if it turns out to be same level as boberly 1704.

30th April 2011, 10:56 AM	#6
merlin el mago diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Blanes - Costa Brava	Time to finish Owen's D1, first I will supply the D1 with LM317-337 & after depending results I will do the proper Salas regulators.

1st May 2011, 02:05 PM	#8
merlin el mago diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Blanes - Costa Brava	I will ask Erno & let you know.

21st May 2011, 07:30 PM	#9
rdk845 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	Any impression on D1 vs. legato? Thanks!

21st May 2011, 08:06 PM	#10
merlin el mago diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Blanes - Costa Brava	Still not, I will let you know.

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