"Reference" TDA1541A DAC with I2S-BUS architecture

[dvb-projekt]

Glad that you find the mistake!
It is very important that you set the voltages to the
level in my post #182 (~ +0,5V). Otherwise the TL431
couldn't regulate.

[dvb-projekt]

Originally Posted by LucasAdamson

Hi Lucas,

don´t forget to lift Pin 4,10 & 13 of the 74HC02 on the V2.2 module!
As far as i could see it, all pin´s are on the board.

The GND error is corrected on the V2.3 modules.

[LucasAdamson]

Thanks Oliver. I have cut and peeled off those 74HC02 traces on the v2.2 to match the v2.3 board on the day it arrived, to avoid any future confusion (like in 10 years time when I change the chip or something like that, it can be used without complications).

I have consulted Salas about the double shunt regs, and I am more convinced that single Salas reg is hampered by this TL431 reg. If the TL431 shunt is doing the real regulation, ideally we would feed it more like 8v, right? This kind of makes the carefully put together Salas boards a bit pointless, I feel, and even a problem to ideal sound if running only 5.5v. I am certainly encouraged to try removing both sets of tl431s and associated caps and resistors, and running this thing in proper Hot-rodded Salas shunt reg. stylee.

[dvb-projekt]

I am looking forward to your comparison w & w/o TL431 after burning in time.

[LucasAdamson]

A new discovery: 5m USB cables don't work - they carry power (of sorts) but computer doesn't register Teradak with 5m cable. Actually it sometimes takes several attempts to acknowledge Teradak as a USB output with a 1.5m USB printer cable too.

How long should I allow for burn-in before judging things Oliver?

[LucasAdamson]

This thing has opened up already in that little distortions in the midrange are gone now and the bass is no longer wooly.

Listening to Feist, Tom Waits, Steely Dan, Amy Winehouse -

[dvb-projekt]

Originally Posted by LucasAdamson

How long should I allow for burn-in before judging things Oliver?

From my experience I would say arround 50 till 100 hrs. That´s the time all parts need to settle in.

BTW, PM me again your e-mail address. I have something nice for your iTunes and the burn in procedure

[Malka07]

Nice initial review of first listen to the dac Lucas...definitely would give it time for parts to burn in before really judging it though...but from what your saying...your already very happy with it

With regards the 431shunts...i also think that if you can connect the Salas shunts directly(bypassing the 431shunts) that it would sound better. Providing the connections from Salas shunt to dac board was kept very short.
So im looking forward to your comparision, with 431's and without...after burn in of course.

Originally Posted by ThorstenL

Hi,
Well, I do not really know if in the application the Salas Shunts are better/good enough, I would drive the 431 shunts with current sources and set them up with bypassed divider. This works quite well.

So I guess I would add a CCS and 431 for each power pin on the 1541 Module, if I was trying to do what you are attempting.
Ciao T

The way i understood Thorstens comment was that, He was not familier with the Salas shunt and so suggested the above. However those of us who have used the Salas shunt know it is damn good at what it does, so as long as the connections are kept short i believe there will be an improvement. I guess the only way to find out is by trying it.

I will wait to hear what you think of the differences Lucas and then may try it myself too.

Alon

[ernesternest]

to you Lucas!

Happy to hear that you solved your problems and the DAC is running now.

I have an other USB DAC (monica) running on a (cheap) 5m active + 1m passive USB cable, which works quite well. Have not tried this with the Teralink X2, but I'll do. For me it is important to have long cables in my setup, even it might degrade sound a little bit. If you'r interested in, I'd post the result here.

Cheers Ernst

[LucasAdamson]

It should be possible to use a 5m cable without degrading the sound. I have a Macbook Pro, and I so it doesn't sit on a desk next to the hi-fi, but on my lap in the listening position about 4 metres away. I bought a quality one too - Hama, made in Germany. I will send it back and try another - perhaps the Belkin Pro next, from Amazon, not eBay (actually cheaper).

I won't be buying an "audiophile" USB cable for £100+, that's for sure.