Its in the listening, not measurable. Its where your audible focus is. ESS sabre doesn't, cirrus does it in my setup.
Whole heartedly agree. I also thik there is some snobbery and prejudice against older dac chips.
There are often snide comments about the TDA1541 rather than someone listening to one and just saying they didn't like it.
I don't like the ESS* sound but I do like my PCM1794, TDA 1547 (Dac7) and TDA1541, all in dual differential configuration.
I was impresed with the DcS Ringdac in an Arcam FMJ23
* In an SMSL dac and Marantz PM6007 dac amp.
As a direct comment about the TDA1541 I have AYA II dac which many regard as a better sounding TDA1541 dac. I have not used it for almost 10 years.
I understand bohrok2610. Wasn't it NOS...
On my side I will be busy revisiting PCM58... Ill be busy with this for a good 6 months, building two versions, just to keep sane that I am not feeding myself with sugar upgrades.
On my side I will be busy revisiting PCM58... Ill be busy with this for a good 6 months, building two versions, just to keep sane that I am not feeding myself with sugar upgrades.
Many could not find improvement in the sound from pcm54 to pcm63...
I want to quote Bernard whom I used to correspond with a lot on dacs: (thread : is older better)
Hi,
Sometime ago I got a Teac ZD700 CDP which uses one PCM53 for both channels. Seems to be 2 x os. Not very sophisticated design...
Sounds very good and I think it beats anything else I have.
Darker sound compared to other players but highs not missing. Darker means less mids and less lower highs. Not crying like modern DACs.
Very fine highs, strong bass, voices and instruments got body.
Absolutely clean spectrum without any adjustment. Both two tested chips. Never seen that before on any other DAC.
Datasheet states 16 bit monotonocity...
Will post pictures in DAC measurements thread.
I cant find this dac anymore, I sold the ones I had were pcm53-k highest grade. So instead I am doing a PCM58,
I want to quote Bernard whom I used to correspond with a lot on dacs: (thread : is older better)
Hi,
Sometime ago I got a Teac ZD700 CDP which uses one PCM53 for both channels. Seems to be 2 x os. Not very sophisticated design...
Sounds very good and I think it beats anything else I have.
Darker sound compared to other players but highs not missing. Darker means less mids and less lower highs. Not crying like modern DACs.
Very fine highs, strong bass, voices and instruments got body.
Absolutely clean spectrum without any adjustment. Both two tested chips. Never seen that before on any other DAC.
Datasheet states 16 bit monotonocity...
Will post pictures in DAC measurements thread.
I cant find this dac anymore, I sold the ones I had were pcm53-k highest grade. So instead I am doing a PCM58,
Keep and open mind rather than asusming the low cost means it can't be anygood.
On the PCM53-K it says STATE of the ART dac... must means something...
Power supply is +/- 15 V which is 30V, maybe it explains the deep foundations.
Lets look at all the PCM power supplies:
pcm53 +5, +/-15V = 30V !!! --- OUTPUT is +/- 2mA 2.4K impedance maybe the 30V is for the Opamp, and has nothing to do with quality...
pcm54 +12, -12 = 12V
pcm55 +5, -5
pcm56 +5, -5, +5, -5 Output is +/- 1mA 1.2K same design as Pcm58
pcm58 +5, -12 =12V? --- output is +/- 1mA , 1.2k impedance , built in 3k feedback optional for IVopamp faster settling time than Pcm56
pcm63 +5, -5
pcm1701 +5, -5
Maybe to build a PCM58 is an error...
Power supply is +/- 15 V which is 30V, maybe it explains the deep foundations.
Lets look at all the PCM power supplies:
pcm53 +5, +/-15V = 30V !!! --- OUTPUT is +/- 2mA 2.4K impedance maybe the 30V is for the Opamp, and has nothing to do with quality...
pcm54 +12, -12 = 12V
pcm55 +5, -5
pcm56 +5, -5, +5, -5 Output is +/- 1mA 1.2K same design as Pcm58
pcm58 +5, -12 =12V? --- output is +/- 1mA , 1.2k impedance , built in 3k feedback optional for IVopamp faster settling time than Pcm56
pcm63 +5, -5
pcm1701 +5, -5
Maybe to build a PCM58 is an error...
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If the opamps are failing its probably because your circuitry is exceeding the absolute maximum ratings as listed in the datasheet.
Maybe you +-15v regulators, or one of them, has an intermittent reference terminal, which causes the output voltage to jump up too high now and then. That or maybe static electricity. Do you have a schematic of the circuitry and pics of how it is laid out?
Uses AK4493S dac chips. If that's what you like it might be okay. Still, its only a $200 dac. Expect it to cost no more than maybe $60 or so to make (including the case, power supply, and shipping box). No $200 clocks in that one.
Anyone who decides on a piece of audio equipment without listening to it must live in a parallel universe without music.
What's the reference for this... who is selling it? The ECC83 circuit could be bypassed and replaced with something better.
"Expensive clocks in audio DACs are crucial for precise timing, leading to reduced jitter and a cleaner, more accurate sound" ,From the interwebs.
Now I'm getting a better picture of where things have been going over recent years. I'm reading what you guys are saying here. I'm learning.
Looks like I am many miles away from a build and it is looking like a good DIY DAC project will easily run me $500 CAD.
It's only taken you since 2007 to come to that conclusion (which I partly agree with).😉