Hello,
My 4 deck DDAC is finalised and working flawlessly. 🙂🙂
The sound is far more detailed compared to my previous DAC but I experience a bit of ear fatigue as the sound has a certain harshness when lot's of instruments plays at the same time.
I will let it play for a few days and test it again. I remeber after changing all the capacitors of my amplifier I experienced a huge change in the sound after a day or two of playing.
What a fantastic day 🙂🙂🙂
My 4 deck DDAC is finalised and working flawlessly. 🙂🙂
The sound is far more detailed compared to my previous DAC but I experience a bit of ear fatigue as the sound has a certain harshness when lot's of instruments plays at the same time.
I will let it play for a few days and test it again. I remeber after changing all the capacitors of my amplifier I experienced a huge change in the sound after a day or two of playing.
What a fantastic day 🙂🙂🙂
Hello,
I did copy burn in tones and two other tracks several times to a cDr and put that one on repeat 24 hours for a few days. Just when listening to music I did stop playing it. Of course when you use a pc to play your music this is easier. Especially the first days the dddac changes a lot. Maybe also because I am using output transformers?
They say black gate take long time to sound right but that modification did sound better after one night of burn in.
Greetings, eduard
I did copy burn in tones and two other tracks several times to a cDr and put that one on repeat 24 hours for a few days. Just when listening to music I did stop playing it. Of course when you use a pc to play your music this is easier. Especially the first days the dddac changes a lot. Maybe also because I am using output transformers?
They say black gate take long time to sound right but that modification did sound better after one night of burn in.
Greetings, eduard
Hi,
Thank you Smartdriver and eduard for the info. The burn in time is quite long as you say and I share my living room speakers between 2 amplifiers (stereo and 7.1).
Leaving the stereo system on all the time is not an option. At your knowledge is the benefits from moving some audio files to a raspbery and connect the Waveio + DDDAC to another amplifier through the cinemags (With another impedance output) will work even if this amplifier stays switched off?
What an adventure and what a huge learning path too 🙂
Thank you Smartdriver and eduard for the info. The burn in time is quite long as you say and I share my living room speakers between 2 amplifiers (stereo and 7.1).
Leaving the stereo system on all the time is not an option. At your knowledge is the benefits from moving some audio files to a raspbery and connect the Waveio + DDDAC to another amplifier through the cinemags (With another impedance output) will work even if this amplifier stays switched off?
What an adventure and what a huge learning path too 🙂
Hello,
I think if the dac is getting some signal to work with it will be OK. I think it should be connected to an amp. I don't think it is important if this amp is switched on or not. The burn in tones I use come from an XLO cd from long time ago. I did rip a few tracks. Maybe you can find similar track on line. Or just some test tones. Xlo did write at that time that their track did work faster for burn in than music. Or just use pink noise. Sure can find that one online.
Greetings, eduard
Ps now not at home otherwise I could send you a file.
I think if the dac is getting some signal to work with it will be OK. I think it should be connected to an amp. I don't think it is important if this amp is switched on or not. The burn in tones I use come from an XLO cd from long time ago. I did rip a few tracks. Maybe you can find similar track on line. Or just some test tones. Xlo did write at that time that their track did work faster for burn in than music. Or just use pink noise. Sure can find that one online.
Greetings, eduard
Ps now not at home otherwise I could send you a file.
I'm playing my music from a NAS on the PC (W10) with Albumplayer (Asio), Albumplayer on random choice with the amps off.
This played 24/7 for many days and sometimes out of curiosity i switched on the amplification to listen.
The first 5 days it sounded bad imo and then very slowly things turned for the good......then better......and then, just WOW.
So, don't rush it, give it time, lots of time, you won't be disappointed.
This played 24/7 for many days and sometimes out of curiosity i switched on the amplification to listen.
The first 5 days it sounded bad imo and then very slowly things turned for the good......then better......and then, just WOW.
So, don't rush it, give it time, lots of time, you won't be disappointed.
Hello again,
Smartdriver and eduard, Iam doing exactly what you are recommanding. I switched some songs from my computer library and the "burn in" xlo song I found to an Odroid Xu4 with volumio installed. (Thank you eduard for the xlo files tip)
This way I can let it play aternaltively songs in different bitrates and from time to time the "burn in song" with amplifier switched off 24/7.
I must say I already noticed some change since saturday but I am sure, as you mention Smartdriver, there is still room for improvement 🙂
To be continued ...
Smartdriver and eduard, Iam doing exactly what you are recommanding. I switched some songs from my computer library and the "burn in" xlo song I found to an Odroid Xu4 with volumio installed. (Thank you eduard for the xlo files tip)
This way I can let it play aternaltively songs in different bitrates and from time to time the "burn in song" with amplifier switched off 24/7.
I must say I already noticed some change since saturday but I am sure, as you mention Smartdriver, there is still room for improvement 🙂
To be continued ...
PSU question
I managed to get myself in a bit of trouble building 2 PSU's for the DDdac.
Instead of using a single transformer for 1 PSU with 2 secondaries i bought myself a huge 500 VA lump and rewired it with the instructions i read from, if memory serves me well, Eduard, to feed 2 PSU's.
I now find myself with the problem that i cannot rectify the ac from the secondaries with the stock PSU's because i only have 1 secondary winding to begin with for each PSU.
The rectifier supplied isn't capable in doing its job because it needs 2 secondary windings.
I read an article on hiend-audiodotcom called "the-alpha-omega-the-power-supply-rectifier".
As you already know my knowledge of electronics ends with Ohms law but this i understood to a certain degree.
The easiest way to rectify ac to dc is with a rectifier bridge, but for audio use, i read, you better leave them alone.
The better way is to use 4 diodes and build a rectifier bridge myself with so called "snubbers" if i'm correct.
My question to you all is this, who can help me rebuild this stock PSU with a good audio quality rectifier?
The trafo is 500 VA and delivers 13.88 A per secondary winding before the rewinding.
It was 2 x 19 V but now it does 1 x 15,6 V and 1 x 9,2 V
I need partnumbers for the diodes and capacitors, a few punters would be appreciated 😉
Cheers, Paul
I managed to get myself in a bit of trouble building 2 PSU's for the DDdac.
Instead of using a single transformer for 1 PSU with 2 secondaries i bought myself a huge 500 VA lump and rewired it with the instructions i read from, if memory serves me well, Eduard, to feed 2 PSU's.
I now find myself with the problem that i cannot rectify the ac from the secondaries with the stock PSU's because i only have 1 secondary winding to begin with for each PSU.
The rectifier supplied isn't capable in doing its job because it needs 2 secondary windings.
I read an article on hiend-audiodotcom called "the-alpha-omega-the-power-supply-rectifier".
As you already know my knowledge of electronics ends with Ohms law but this i understood to a certain degree.
The easiest way to rectify ac to dc is with a rectifier bridge, but for audio use, i read, you better leave them alone.
The better way is to use 4 diodes and build a rectifier bridge myself with so called "snubbers" if i'm correct.
My question to you all is this, who can help me rebuild this stock PSU with a good audio quality rectifier?
The trafo is 500 VA and delivers 13.88 A per secondary winding before the rewinding.
It was 2 x 19 V but now it does 1 x 15,6 V and 1 x 9,2 V
I need partnumbers for the diodes and capacitors, a few punters would be appreciated 😉
Cheers, Paul
Hello,
I never did tell you to do it this way.
You can use 4 diodes and remove the diodes from the circuit and just wire the output from your new diodes to a cap, then to a choke or a resistor and then to the cap on the power supply circuit.
I am using sb560 schottky diodes
Most caps will do. Stay with good brands like niche con don't use 20 year old surplus parts.
Greetings, eduard
I never did tell you to do it this way.
You can use 4 diodes and remove the diodes from the circuit and just wire the output from your new diodes to a cap, then to a choke or a resistor and then to the cap on the power supply circuit.
I am using sb560 schottky diodes
Most caps will do. Stay with good brands like niche con don't use 20 year old surplus parts.
Greetings, eduard
Hi Eduard,
You are right, you didn't, i'm sorry if my post made you think you did.
I'll explain; I read your post with the punters about the rewiring and with the job at hand i tried it and it worked beautifully so no worries, it's my own wrongdoing 😀
Thanks for the tip on the diodes, are they capable of handling the current?
What about capacitors (snubbers) parallel with the diodes?
Cheers, Paul
Hello Paul,
Sure they can handle 5 ampere and I am using them with a 500 VA transformer too. The current in my dddac is around 1A continuous but I use choke input so current is not high when switching on.
If voltage is high enough you should try a choke between the first and the second cap. Lundahl ll2733 or ll1694 are good for this. You will get some voltage drop depending on the dcr of the choke but using schottky diodes will give you higher voltage than usual diodes.
Snubbers is difficult . I don't use them , their value depends upon a lot of things.
Greetings, eduard
Sure they can handle 5 ampere and I am using them with a 500 VA transformer too. The current in my dddac is around 1A continuous but I use choke input so current is not high when switching on.
If voltage is high enough you should try a choke between the first and the second cap. Lundahl ll2733 or ll1694 are good for this. You will get some voltage drop depending on the dcr of the choke but using schottky diodes will give you higher voltage than usual diodes.
Snubbers is difficult . I don't use them , their value depends upon a lot of things.
Greetings, eduard
My 21v transformer finally arrived and I have same issue you had. Without the DAC connected and with 33 ohm bleeder resistor connected at the end of the PSU so after caps and chokes I get 20v DC 🙁
I don't want to connect DAC at this voltage but I know when I do it will drop the voltage but doubt 8v dropped.
I have 4 tent DACs to be clear so any suggestions please?
With the DAC connected it drops to 16.5v so it seems the 18v transformer would have been a better option 🙁
Hello,
I am also using the new 4 boards dddac. In the beginning I did use 500 VA r core 2*21 VOLTS in parallel hexfreds diodes. Ll2733 as choke input cap a second ll2733 and then the final cap. Output voltage a little to low for the 7810 regulators. So did have to replace the hexfreds by schottky diodes to reduce voltage drop !!
Both ll2733 are connected in common mode and have higher dcr than the ll1694.
20 volt divided by 33 ohm will give 600 make current I think the actual circuit I use including bleeder across the first choke takes around 1 A.
Voltage depends a lot on the first choke. You could just copy my supply and it will work. If remember right there have been people trying 18 volts transformers who did ended up with to low output voltage. Lol
Of course you could use two ll1694 in series for the first choke. But I think the ll2733 is the best.
Greetings eduard
P.'s I think in my older post I did mention the measured voltages I got in different set ups
I am also using the new 4 boards dddac. In the beginning I did use 500 VA r core 2*21 VOLTS in parallel hexfreds diodes. Ll2733 as choke input cap a second ll2733 and then the final cap. Output voltage a little to low for the 7810 regulators. So did have to replace the hexfreds by schottky diodes to reduce voltage drop !!
Both ll2733 are connected in common mode and have higher dcr than the ll1694.
20 volt divided by 33 ohm will give 600 make current I think the actual circuit I use including bleeder across the first choke takes around 1 A.
Voltage depends a lot on the first choke. You could just copy my supply and it will work. If remember right there have been people trying 18 volts transformers who did ended up with to low output voltage. Lol
Of course you could use two ll1694 in series for the first choke. But I think the ll2733 is the best.
Greetings eduard
P.'s I think in my older post I did mention the measured voltages I got in different set ups
Thanks Edward but I need to work out the most cost effective way to solve my problem as already purchased the transformer and chokes etc.
Cheapest way might be to get a 18v transformer. I could try normal diodes as higher voltage drop but that still will not be close enough to the 12 I need.
Hummmmm it's a shame the output of the transformer is higher than its spec. Seems the spec is when the transformer is under full load which makes sense too
Dilemma .....
Cheapest way might be to get a 18v transformer. I could try normal diodes as higher voltage drop but that still will not be close enough to the 12 I need.
Hummmmm it's a shame the output of the transformer is higher than its spec. Seems the spec is when the transformer is under full load which makes sense too
Dilemma .....
I also bought a 2 X 6 v r core from them 80va to power the wave IO so just wired that up to give 12 v output and with no bleed resistor at all and just the DAC connected I get just over 9 volts so looks like a 15v transformer is better for my design
Hello,
If you put less than 12 volts into the regulator it will not work. I guess the shunts also will not work and the dac itself will probably not work too.
Before having the dac I did do test with with chokes and big bleeder and a 15 volt 300va r core. Output voltage was to low so I decided to buy the 500va 21 volts!! Perfect for me.
Of course voltage will be higher if your load will just be a small current.
Connecting the chokes in series or common mode will give you the voltage drop you need. You compare the specs from the ll1694 and ll 2733. They are not the same.
The 7810 could work well with some extra voltage if you attach a small heatsink
There are more people who did got the 21 volt r core. Ask around on this thread.
Changing from a 12 to a 15 volt transformer will not give you 3 volt extra output when used in a choke input power supply.
Greetings, eduard
If you put less than 12 volts into the regulator it will not work. I guess the shunts also will not work and the dac itself will probably not work too.
Before having the dac I did do test with with chokes and big bleeder and a 15 volt 300va r core. Output voltage was to low so I decided to buy the 500va 21 volts!! Perfect for me.
Of course voltage will be higher if your load will just be a small current.
Connecting the chokes in series or common mode will give you the voltage drop you need. You compare the specs from the ll1694 and ll 2733. They are not the same.
The 7810 could work well with some extra voltage if you attach a small heatsink
There are more people who did got the 21 volt r core. Ask around on this thread.
Changing from a 12 to a 15 volt transformer will not give you 3 volt extra output when used in a choke input power supply.
Greetings, eduard
Thanks Edward for the tips and yes I know how regulators work LOL
So after many combinations I changes to common mode and with a 18v transformer and a 23 ohm bleed resistor I get down to 13.1v with the DAC connected so still not 12v.
Not sure if Doede did any testing with 1 v higher than 12 v but I don't see an issue other than the 10 and 3.3v regs need to drop 1 more volt so slightly more heat but they run cold anyway.
Anyone have other thoughts about this please?
So after many combinations I changes to common mode and with a 18v transformer and a 23 ohm bleed resistor I get down to 13.1v with the DAC connected so still not 12v.
Not sure if Doede did any testing with 1 v higher than 12 v but I don't see an issue other than the 10 and 3.3v regs need to drop 1 more volt so slightly more heat but they run cold anyway.
Anyone have other thoughts about this please?
Hello,
Did ask Doede himself some 13 volts. It is OK.
But the 12 volt is usually from a regulated supply but once you are using our kind of power supplies you should take care of line voltage variations.
I think my bleeder was something like 270 ohm. Once the dac is connected you just use the bleeder to make sure it will work as a choke input with or without the dac
Greetings, eduard
Did ask Doede himself some 13 volts. It is OK.
But the 12 volt is usually from a regulated supply but once you are using our kind of power supplies you should take care of line voltage variations.
I think my bleeder was something like 270 ohm. Once the dac is connected you just use the bleeder to make sure it will work as a choke input with or without the dac
Greetings, eduard
Thanks and thought it would be OK. The DAC is connected and with 23 ohm bleeder at 13.2 I would say.
Of course bleeder resistor is warm as disapating about 8 watts so not ideal and would prefer not to have that heat. Seems I need less than 18v transformer but higher than 15v