Counterpoint DA-10 DAC upgrade

Nounours18200 · 16th January 2005, 07:21 PM

Mike Elliott (the Counterpoint founder) offers an upgrade to the DA-10 DAC, consisting in the "Premium Rapture 24/192 DAC card" and a (big) power supply upgrade.

The total cost is around 1.500 to 1.700$, which is reasonnable given the quality of the parts and the quantities of modifications. Have a look here: http://www.altavistaaudio.com/DA-10.html

A lot of people says that this upgrade is excellent, as resulting in an almost total change of the active circuitry: DAC, outputs (the old analog outputs are bypassed by the new card) and power supply....

I wonder if anybody around has eared the result of this upgrade and if it is worthy to upgrade an "old" machine...

Thans for your replies/advices,

analog_sa · 16th January 2005, 07:55 PM

Mr Elliott is of course a magician. He should probably start his own TV show as well. I myself feel a bit hypnotised after reading some of his upgrade solutions. Ok, let me admit i stopped early. Hopefully no lasting brain damage will result.

Quote:

Receiver-Only Upgrade. Okay -- you say you're not interested in 24-bit audio? You just want your CD's to sound better with your DA-10's existing DACCard? This upgrade is for you: upgrade the receiver! The new receiver, a Crystal Semiconductor CS8414, is an upgraded version of the DA-10's original CS8412. There's more to this new receiver chip than 24-bit/96kHz capability, it also offers superior audio performance -- better bass, deeper soundstaging, more detailed and open highs. Before I had working proto DACCards, I was impressed by this upgrade alone! Install it yourself. Only $158.00 + $8.50 shipping and handling in the USA, or $20.00 elsewhere. Comes with installation manual.

I wish i could at least take a glimpse at the installation manual.

Many cheapskates on this forum feel shy to pay $15 for this very same receiver while others think the 8412 actually sounds better.

Apparently quite a few Mr Tamaguchis feel different. Or do they?

Jocko Homo · 16th January 2005, 08:05 PM

Magician??? I dunno..........shelling out that kind of money........especially when it is doubtful that he designed the original one to begin with.

Jocko

jwb · 17th January 2005, 04:13 AM

Bahaha. If a sidegrade from CS8412 to CS8414 provides deeper bass and better imaging, I'll eat a tree. Swapping out the digital reciever should have zero effect, unless the rest of the design is complete ****!

Elso Kwak · 17th January 2005, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwb
Bahaha. If a sidegrade from CS8412 to CS8414 provides deeper bass and better imaging, I'll eat a tree.

Actually in my perception the reverse is true. I heard slightly better bass with the old CS8412. Not a day and night difference though.

Jocko Homo · 19th January 2005, 07:34 AM

The rest of the design may be complete...............

(There might be a reason why these guys went out of business............save your money..........!)

Jocko

16th January 2005, 07:21 PM	#1
Nounours18200 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: GRASSE (France)	Counterpoint DA-10 DAC upgrade Mike Elliott (the Counterpoint founder) offers an upgrade to the DA-10 DAC, consisting in the "Premium Rapture 24/192 DAC card" and a (big) power supply upgrade. The total cost is around 1.500 to 1.700$, which is reasonnable given the quality of the parts and the quantities of modifications. Have a look here: http://www.altavistaaudio.com/DA-10.html A lot of people says that this upgrade is excellent, as resulting in an almost total change of the active circuitry: DAC, outputs (the old analog outputs are bypassed by the new card) and power supply.... I wonder if anybody around has eared the result of this upgrade and if it is worthy to upgrade an "old" machine... Thans for your replies/advices,

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16th January 2005, 08:05 PM	#3
Jocko Homo Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: As far from the NOSsers as possible	Magician??? I dunno..........shelling out that kind of money........especially when it is doubtful that he designed the original one to begin with. Jocko

17th January 2005, 04:13 AM	#4
jwb diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, USA	Bahaha. If a sidegrade from CS8412 to CS8414 provides deeper bass and better imaging, I'll eat a tree. Swapping out the digital reciever should have zero effect, unless the rest of the design is complete ****!

19th January 2005, 07:34 AM	#6
Jocko Homo Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: As far from the NOSsers as possible	The rest of the design may be complete............... (There might be a reason why these guys went out of business............save your money..........!) Jocko

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