Absolutely! As always, the beauty of DIY is to...do it yourself.
Hi bhjazz & Borats, thanks for your warm welcome. 🙂
After following Tungsten Audio mods threads carefully, I decided to ordered all the below components. Will receive them in a couple of week. Per his recommendation I'll also go for a LPS with 225VA - 2X18V with 2 x 33000mF 35V per board. I might add a resistance between the capacitors to make a CRC filter. I already started building the boxes using aluminum 1,6mm and 10mm for the front face. So mechanics before electronics.
@ Borats votre Français est très bon mon ami !
All the best
After following Tungsten Audio mods threads carefully, I decided to ordered all the below components. Will receive them in a couple of week. Per his recommendation I'll also go for a LPS with 225VA - 2X18V with 2 x 33000mF 35V per board. I might add a resistance between the capacitors to make a CRC filter. I already started building the boxes using aluminum 1,6mm and 10mm for the front face. So mechanics before electronics.
@ Borats votre Français est très bon mon ami !
All the best
I hooked up my ACA via 3.5mm with a 3.5 to RCA cable. Getting a bunch of static / noise randomly. It's definitely coming from the computer as when the computer goes into a "rest" mode while watching a movie or what not it goes quiet but when I use the mouse or do anything on the computer and its actively "working" the noise comes back.
Any ideas how to fix this? I was thinking to try a better shielded 3.5mm to RCA cable or make one myself out of good shielded cables I use for my interconnects. Or ditch the on motherboard DAC and go with an external DAC. Thoughts?
Any ideas how to fix this? I was thinking to try a better shielded 3.5mm to RCA cable or make one myself out of good shielded cables I use for my interconnects. Or ditch the on motherboard DAC and go with an external DAC. Thoughts?
Whatever it is, I don't think the cable is to blame.
If the PC output is 3.5mm then you could try plugging some headphones in and seeing if the static noise is still present.
If the PC output is 3.5mm then you could try plugging some headphones in and seeing if the static noise is still present.
It could well be the cable, amongst other things.
If that is your chosen method of connecting your computer to the amp, then look for a better cable.
Personally, I'd connect a DAC via USB and give that amp the signal it deserves.
I've just recently bought a Fiio K11 R2R and I think it's great.
If that is your chosen method of connecting your computer to the amp, then look for a better cable.
Personally, I'd connect a DAC via USB and give that amp the signal it deserves.
I've just recently bought a Fiio K11 R2R and I think it's great.
As mentioned: an external USB DAC is a really great solution to that problem. Between poorly filtered switching supplies and audio paths not designed with picky about sound people like us. It is a losing battle to try and fix. A MAC mini and external DAC is a really nice combo for audio and video.
Enjoy the silence. : )
Enjoy the silence. : )
The main system are my Altecs currently being fed by iron pre and either tube amp or M2x now. This Aca set up is just for my near field bookshelves as the main speakers are pulled out a bit into the room. The actual stereo system is really only for my vinyl
I liked the idea of plugging right into the ACA without preamp so I can control sound on the computer itself. Ended up grabbing a schiit modi to try out. Will see what that does.
The electronic noise between my computer the TV and WiFi router have been an issue even with my tube preamp. Have to space stuff or else it gets static , not horrible but enough to bother me
I liked the idea of plugging right into the ACA without preamp so I can control sound on the computer itself. Ended up grabbing a schiit modi to try out. Will see what that does.
The electronic noise between my computer the TV and WiFi router have been an issue even with my tube preamp. Have to space stuff or else it gets static , not horrible but enough to bother me
I have a question..
What would be the next logical build, after the ACA? (if there even is one)
For a bit of background...
I have built 2x aca's and am running them bridged as monos with a Fosi P4 Pre.
My speakers are FHXL Mark Audio MAOP 10.2 but I've added a Dayton Audio ribbon tweeter with suitable crossover.
I don't want anything over complicated but then that's the beauty of the pass labs builds..
I was thinking about the F5M. Would I gain anything? Is it a better amp?
And before anyone shouts out "just build it", I have limited funds. I'd love to build them all but can't afford to atm.
What would be the next logical build, after the ACA? (if there even is one)
For a bit of background...
I have built 2x aca's and am running them bridged as monos with a Fosi P4 Pre.
My speakers are FHXL Mark Audio MAOP 10.2 but I've added a Dayton Audio ribbon tweeter with suitable crossover.
I don't want anything over complicated but then that's the beauty of the pass labs builds..
I was thinking about the F5M. Would I gain anything? Is it a better amp?
And before anyone shouts out "just build it", I have limited funds. I'd love to build them all but can't afford to atm.
F5m is undoubtly a significantly better amp, more power, cleaner
Downside? only more heat but not as much more you'd think than the ACA for how much power it has
Downside? only more heat but not as much more you'd think than the ACA for how much power it has
yes that is correct.
but think about that the ACA is a simpler build. SMPS , no DC offset check on the ouputs etc..
but think about that the ACA is a simpler build. SMPS , no DC offset check on the ouputs etc..
@Borats Baby
You might try your monoblocks in balanced mode... borrow a balanced preamp and see if that improves things for you.
I hope so. My target system is much like yours. I've assembled parts for a Pearl 3, balanced Wayne 2018, ACA Redux monoblocks and FHXL.
From what I've read the balanced mode has more power and less distortion.
You might try your monoblocks in balanced mode... borrow a balanced preamp and see if that improves things for you.
I hope so. My target system is much like yours. I've assembled parts for a Pearl 3, balanced Wayne 2018, ACA Redux monoblocks and FHXL.
From what I've read the balanced mode has more power and less distortion.
@Borats Baby
Any of the Firstwatt designs are a clear next step and upgrade from ACA. This list includes (but not limited to) F4, F5, F5m, F6, Aleph J, and my personal favorite, M2x. They are all fantastic amplifiers.
😎
Any of the Firstwatt designs are a clear next step and upgrade from ACA. This list includes (but not limited to) F4, F5, F5m, F6, Aleph J, and my personal favorite, M2x. They are all fantastic amplifiers.
😎
After building 2 ACAs and playing with those I stepped up to the M2X and even though its only been playing for a couple weeks can agree with @6L6 that its a significant improvement over ACA. With the 4U case it runs significantly cooler than the ACA. Measured 4U / M2X at 50C on the heat sinks and my ACAs run around 55-60C. The M2X seemed like the most fun build to me because of the swappable front end cards so that was the motivation for that amp. Looking to do a VFET next 🙂
@6L6 how does the M2x compare to the different VFET offerings? sorry , sidebar
@6L6 how does the M2x compare to the different VFET offerings? sorry , sidebar
I'm looking at the Fosi ZP3 when it comes out (tomorrow I believe) to replace my P4. This has balanced connections.
Again, this is something that will have to wait until the hifi fund is suitably replenished.
I should add, I'm absolutely 100% pleased with my aca's. They're amazing.
I think I'm going to go with my gut and try the F5.
Thanks for your input folks
I think I'm going to go with my gut and try the F5.
Thanks for your input folks
@Borats Baby
well it costs nothing to connect up your ACA monoblocks in balanced mode.
if you are intent on acquiring the new unit with balanced outputs and you're happy with your ACAs, you might just get noticeably happier with no outlay.
just sayin'.
well it costs nothing to connect up your ACA monoblocks in balanced mode.
if you are intent on acquiring the new unit with balanced outputs and you're happy with your ACAs, you might just get noticeably happier with no outlay.
just sayin'.
I won't disagree with you.
I've no doubt there's scope for improvement by using the balanced connections. They're not something I've ever explored, I always thought their main advantage was to allow much longer lengths of cable. Not a problem in my listening room 😂
I'm only reporting what 6L6 and others have said... that connecting two ACAs together in balanced mode reduces distortion whilst increasing power.
in fact that information was the final impetus for my deciding on a balanced system. I don't need balanced lines for their usual benefits either.
in fact that information was the final impetus for my deciding on a balanced system. I don't need balanced lines for their usual benefits either.