Can you clarify as to what you mean? What cables are you talking about? USB, twisted pair? The 'comp end'? And how come two of them? Seems a bizarre coincidence. Were they self-constructed USB cables?
No need to begok, but seriously, have you tried a different USB cable, I had two faulty ones already... another thing to test would be if the hiss disappears with the 3.5mm connector, if both fails I send you a new one, but need the little hisser in return
Stefan
One of the two faulty USB cables that Stefan had sent to customers with the odac. They look perfectly fine on the outside but the computer doesn't recognize the DAC. My friend disassembled it and the defect was definitely due to bad manufacturing.
My next idea is to shock protect the O2/ODAC.
It occurs to me that they are vulnerable to being dropped. The ODAC also presumably has lead-free solder and so is more vulnerable.
I'm going to file down the sides of the PCB and add a thin layer of rubber glue to each side and then slide it in with the help of a little silicone grease. I might instead attach thin foam sheet if I can find some. However some of the plastics/synthetics out there give off fumes that rot other plastic parts. I reckon the rubber glue is safer. Perhaps cardboard is another option.
I think I'll widen the front plate holes also as they are right up against the switches/jacks.
Might have to file the case to give the ODAC some leeway as well: it's pretty tight.
Anyone else got practical improvement ideas?
It occurs to me that they are vulnerable to being dropped. The ODAC also presumably has lead-free solder and so is more vulnerable.
I'm going to file down the sides of the PCB and add a thin layer of rubber glue to each side and then slide it in with the help of a little silicone grease. I might instead attach thin foam sheet if I can find some. However some of the plastics/synthetics out there give off fumes that rot other plastic parts. I reckon the rubber glue is safer. Perhaps cardboard is another option.
I think I'll widen the front plate holes also as they are right up against the switches/jacks.
Might have to file the case to give the ODAC some leeway as well: it's pretty tight.
Anyone else got practical improvement ideas?
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Well, I'm listening to my O2/ODAC combo with my ety HF2s knowing I have authentic HIFI all the way down the chain.
I'm so pleased I could bite myself.
A big thankyou to NwAvGuy. It's not just that I have reached source/amp Nirvana but also that I had the great satisfaction of building it myself, even though a newbie to this lark, because his instructions were so thorough. Even my various skeptical relatives have been astounded.
I though the O2 was a fantastic project. Though I didn't have the satisfaction of building the ODAC nevertheless for what it means and gives it really is another dimension of marvellousness.
I'll be raising a glass of Bourbon to his honour later this evening.
I'm so pleased I could bite myself.
A big thankyou to NwAvGuy. It's not just that I have reached source/amp Nirvana but also that I had the great satisfaction of building it myself, even though a newbie to this lark, because his instructions were so thorough. Even my various skeptical relatives have been astounded.
I though the O2 was a fantastic project. Though I didn't have the satisfaction of building the ODAC nevertheless for what it means and gives it really is another dimension of marvellousness.
I'll be raising a glass of Bourbon to his honour later this evening.
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No need to beg
Stefan
Thanks Stefan. I have tested with 3 different USB cables of which I tested yours for the first time last evening. Still hissing.
I will solder the 3.5mm to the card tonight.
Brgds
There are two approaches to anser your question: max power limitations of the headphones or max listening volume you'll ever experience (or to raise volume for overly quiet recordings).
If you want max power limitations, here they are:
HD650
0.5V source (portable device) = 6.85x gain
2.1V source (redbook + 5% room) = 2.6x gain
SPL at those levels = ~118dB (ouch)
K550
0.5V source (portable device) = 3.15x gain
2.1V source (redbook + 5% room) = 1.2x gain
SPL at those levels = ~122dB (crazy nuts)
If you want reasonable figures, which I cap at 110dB from a -0dBFS source:
HD650
0.5V source (portable device) = 2.8x gain
2.1V source (redbook + 5% room) = 1.1x gain
K550
0.5V source (portable device) = 0.8x gain
2.1V source (redbook + 5% room) = 0.3x gain
So in conclusion, I'd have high gain set to 4x and low gain unpopulated, making it 1x (unity). The reason I'd have 4x is to provide enough headroom to amplify really quiet signals. I have some recordings that are around -20dB. If you don't have that situation, then set it back a little because a full knob turn can become dangerous.
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No need to beg
Stefan
I don't get a sound with the 3.5mm soldered in place... Stefan, I'll send this one back to you - please send a replacement. There is nothing obviously wrong with it that hits the eye. It was probably manufactured on a Monday...
Brgds
Interesting! That fits in with something I'm doing. I'm essentially modding an O2 to be just a current buffer for the AKG K550s. I don't want to pollute Rocket Scientist's thread here with mods, so I've posted the reply in the mod thread here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/head...rc-diode-cap-heatsink-mods-2.html#post3058697
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Finished putting together two O2/ODAC setups yesterday.... I'm very pleased with the setup.
seems the ODAC adds quite abit to the O2... more body and more output...
I instlled Foobar2000 with the WASAPI component to bypass the windows stackup... all sounds fantastic...
also, thanks to who it was to suggest using the lan line wires for wiring the ODAC... worked great....
seems the ODAC adds quite abit to the O2... more body and more output...
I instlled Foobar2000 with the WASAPI component to bypass the windows stackup... all sounds fantastic...
also, thanks to who it was to suggest using the lan line wires for wiring the ODAC... worked great....
If it fits when you plug it in, it'll work just fine. Those parameters are right in spec. It's got more amperage than you need, but it's really the voltage that matters most.