Wolfson WM8740 DIR9001 PCM2706 DIY DAC

dtses · 1st April 2011, 11:01 AM

Hi,

recently I've found one interesting diy DAC kit based on Wolfsons. I had previously FMJ DV27 from Arcam using Wolfsons WM8740, was pretty happy with the stage and resolution. Any suggestions regarding this one?

Already found 3 dedicated transformers home that could be used with it, however couldn't find any decent chassis, does anybody have one or know the place where it could be bought?

dtses · 4th April 2011, 06:08 AM

anyone?

at least does ir worth it?

dtses · 7th April 2011, 08:48 AM

anyway, I have ordered the kit, will put some comments in a month time I hope.

ac2010 · 9th April 2011, 03:37 PM

Please do and share your experience with it...I might get one of these soon.

gfiandy · 10th April 2011, 08:27 PM

I will be interested to hear the comparison of this to a DV27 as I know the person who designed the DV27. The DV27 uses a 4 layer PCB and this PCB is 2 layers. The layout on this PCB doesn't look great as the ground plane is very segmented. However looking at a PCB is a poor predictor of how well it will work from an audio point of view.

I can tell you that this PCB will probably would not pass EMC regulations but since it is a kit it doesn't need to.

I hope it works out well. If not I have some ideas on how you might be able to improve it.

Regards,
Andrew

dtses · 11th April 2011, 07:13 AM

hi Andrew,

thanks for the comments. The most simple way of improving this diy dac I have already found - change opams to some decent ones like LM4562, for instance.

it's really interesting whether this dac could be at least close to DV27, however the last one isn't a benchmark too, just an old good DVD player with separate psu and famous WM8740. So I guess if I use this kit with good transport it shouldn't be far from DV27 at least theoretically

Some time ago I had Arcam's CD23, that was something. Not sure that any DIY kit could get close to dcs's dac...

ac2010
sure I will, just need some time to get the kit from China and assemble all the stuff.

dtses · 21st April 2011, 10:03 PM

received the kit today

pcb looks to be very decent and pleasant to work with. Components are the following:
-Nippon ASF 3300uf psu
-Panasonic FJ 1500uf psu
-FC, Cerafine, BC 036
-don't know the brand of film caps, though hope they are of good quality

the scheme (pls se att) looks quite simple. Any ideas of improvement except good opams, for instance, LME49710, separate transformers for 9-0, 9-0, 15-0-15v

cobretti · 23rd April 2011, 03:57 PM

I also have this kit. Elna electrolytic capacitors seem to be fake, Nichicon Muse (100M/25V) seems genuine. I am not sure about ON Semi 7808 stabilizers, those seem to be fake too. I will definitely pick up another stabilizers and all caps. PCB layout is not clear, no labeling on some parts, rear side has a lot of misprints. The count of parts doesn't correspond to PCB layout. What I see at glance, this kit will be a headache to put together.

erin · 24th April 2011, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobretti

Elna electrolytic capacitors seem to be fake, Nichicon Muse (100M/25V) seems genuine.

Can you possibly qualify this statement with a photo, or a reason for this comment? I am curious to know about Elna fakes. I didn't realise there were Elna fakes. Thanks.

dtses · 24th April 2011, 07:50 AM

well, not sure about these fake Elnas, could be just some old series.

all labels present on my pcb, btw already have assembled it and could post few photos later. Found that few caps and resistors were surplus and three resistors 1k5 were missing, though it's not a big point as I suggest.

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4th April 2011, 06:08 AM	#2
dtses diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK, Manchester	anyone? at least does ir worth it?

7th April 2011, 08:48 AM	#3
dtses diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK, Manchester	anyway, I have ordered the kit, will put some comments in a month time I hope.

9th April 2011, 03:37 PM	#4
ac2010 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010	Please do and share your experience with it...I might get one of these soon.

10th April 2011, 08:27 PM	#5
gfiandy Audio Engineer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cambridge UK	I will be interested to hear the comparison of this to a DV27 as I know the person who designed the DV27. The DV27 uses a 4 layer PCB and this PCB is 2 layers. The layout on this PCB doesn't look great as the ground plane is very segmented. However looking at a PCB is a poor predictor of how well it will work from an audio point of view. I can tell you that this PCB will probably would not pass EMC regulations but since it is a kit it doesn't need to. I hope it works out well. If not I have some ideas on how you might be able to improve it. Regards, Andrew

11th April 2011, 07:13 AM	#6
dtses diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK, Manchester	hi Andrew, thanks for the comments. The most simple way of improving this diy dac I have already found - change opams to some decent ones like LM4562, for instance. it's really interesting whether this dac could be at least close to DV27, however the last one isn't a benchmark too, just an old good DVD player with separate psu and famous WM8740. So I guess if I use this kit with good transport it shouldn't be far from DV27 at least theoretically Some time ago I had Arcam's CD23, that was something. Not sure that any DIY kit could get close to dcs's dac... ac2010 sure I will, just need some time to get the kit from China and assemble all the stuff.

23rd April 2011, 03:57 PM	#8
cobretti diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Taxachusetts	I also have this kit. Elna electrolytic capacitors seem to be fake, Nichicon Muse (100M/25V) seems genuine. I am not sure about ON Semi 7808 stabilizers, those seem to be fake too. I will definitely pick up another stabilizers and all caps. PCB layout is not clear, no labeling on some parts, rear side has a lot of misprints. The count of parts doesn't correspond to PCB layout. What I see at glance, this kit will be a headache to put together.

24th April 2011, 07:50 AM	#10
dtses diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK, Manchester	well, not sure about these fake Elnas, could be just some old series. all labels present on my pcb, btw already have assembled it and could post few photos later. Found that few caps and resistors were surplus and three resistors 1k5 were missing, though it's not a big point as I suggest.