My experience has been that the quality and value of the attenuator affects the sound presentation. I started with a Chinese stepped 20k, replaced that with a cheap 50k pot, then went to Goldpoint 25k V24 but the presentation was somewhat thin but well defined, moved up to 50k to get back three balance I was looking for. I think this is system dependent. I'm using a DIY F5 Turbo for amplification, my speakers are NHT 2.9's which are in the revealing side of sound.
I'll say buy a couple of cheap pots to try out before to commit to spending time and money.
I'll say buy a couple of cheap pots to try out before to commit to spending time and money.
Sure right now I am using the DACT type 20K pot from eBay and it seems to be good. But I also got a Arduino LDR configured for 20K impedance and the small PSU on top is to power the same. I have not yet connected the LDR so far. I did not get when you say "voltage swing it can deliver to it in case of an odd event".
Yes the wiring from the BiB boards are running a bit longer and I can actually shift the DCG3 board to the left side near the partition plate so that I can have minimum wiring from PSU. The rails are now clean and steady voltage of +/-17V hovering around 0.001 to 0.004 during playback otherwise rock solid after I removed the source selector powering from the same PSU.
Ok fine will do that by taking the HP ground of one channel and connect to the chassis where the IEC earth and chassis ground are connected as star ground. Without the PSU ground wiring there is absolutely no hum but I just want to make it grounding electrically in case of some odd event. I have now connected the line out to my Sony VFET and it does play nicely with a center imaging and nice presentation and deep sound stage
I will do that once I open it up again as now after 5 to 6 hrs of setup too tired to open it up
Thanks
Numerous times Salas suggested a 20-25K one so the output would be 5-6KOhm the most. A 50K one is also accepted. but in case of normal pot output would be a lot higher. Avoid a 10K one especially if source can't handle it (output impedance on the high side)
Have anyone tried MUSE ?
Definitely system dependent. From the way you describe tonal things maybe you would have liked to test the BC327-40 Q1 Q2 option too before you decide your final final config.
Savvas called Michael "Tea Bugs"
Yes Salas, I've been following M's ordeal, good thing it all worked out for him, congrats M!
On mine I ended going using a Goldpoint 50k. Much better balanced sound than with the 25k, I used the 25k in the DCB1. I just ordered my new HP's, Fostex stuff we'll see how they sound with the DCG3.
Me I started with a 50k Goldpoint and later moved down in value.
As for Tea, I have been called Salsa and Salad many times, so fair enough he became a tea pest for once
Have a muse on my desk. In some weeks it will be finished I guess
There are two Muses chip pot kit models I think?
I was debating between an used Audeze LCD3 or a new Fostex TH900. I went for the Fostex. My first high quality at of headphones. They arrive next week. Exciting.
Yeah, I think they look unassuming compared to the audeze which scream high end. I'm going to build another DCG3 for them to keep in my bedroom.
Right know listening to Billie Holiday Lady in Satin, through a new set of not expebsive silver interconnects from eBay, sound is so detailed, clear with no need to play it loud.
Thanks again Salas. I've sold my Bryston gear because the diy stuff I've built sounds much better.
Did you have a chance for a demo listen in some SF area store before ordering those cans?
Give high bias current to your second DCG3 because those cans are 25Ω and put female header pins on Q1 Q2 pads to can easily swap and test BC327-40 VS BC560C matched pairs too. I have a gut feeling you probably gonna like them by your now mentioned preferences. If you look in eBay there are some German stores that carry them in Diotec brand. That German semiconductors company probably has a wafer process that yields averagely higher Hfe PNPs in that type. At least so happened with my couple of hundred 327-40 stash from the recent past. Not that consistent though, got to shift through many to find and match some high Hfe ones in pairs.
Give high bias current to your second DCG3 because those cans are 25Ω and put female header pins on Q1 Q2 pads to can easily swap and test BC327-40 VS BC560C matched pairs too. I have a gut feeling you probably gonna like them by your now mentioned preferences. If you look in eBay there are some German stores that carry them in Diotec brand. That German semiconductors company probably has a wafer process that yields averagely higher Hfe PNPs in that type. At least so happened with my couple of hundred 327-40 stash from the recent past. Not that consistent though, got to shift through many to find and match some high Hfe ones in pairs.
No, I ordered it online, saved $500. I'm sure they will be good. My current DCG3 runs high bias. I used the 7.5 ohms resistors. Thanks for the advice, I will follow it, I've purchased the dca175 pro to test the transistors.
Thinking that at some point I was considering to buy an Ayre preamp. I'm very happy I didn't.
Thinking that at some point I was considering to buy an Ayre preamp. I'm very happy I didn't.
I did not get when you say "voltage swing it can deliver to it in case of an odd event"...I have now connected the line out to my Sony VFET and it does play nicely with a center imaging and nice presentation and deep sound stage
I meant I don't know if those LDR have the power rating of an average pot in case of large signal transient or in an error situation if used after a 34V between rails DC preamp with gain (not recommended to be using pots after a preamp anyway due to their adding high impedance to its output consideration).
Yes I will be using the LDR before the preamp by taking the output from your source selector board and then providing the output from the LDR board to the DCG3. Right now it is configured for 20k but as you said I can tweak to my liking once it settles down and I can hear the differences if at all any.
Cant agree more. I learned that thru my BA3pre and DCG3 builds. That's why I build my own attenuator with resistors of my choice.
Power supply is a huge factor too. Just pointing out that those who may not have been completely pleased with the DCG3 sound may have been using different power supplies than the custom designed DCSTB in dual mono setup.
nash