Hi I nead help to deside what TDA1541 or TDA1543 DAC to build ?!?...
I have found couple desing on TNT web pages ( http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/tnt1541_e.html ) and A. Galavotti Minimo and Zero ( http://www.geocities.com/agalavotti/zerodac.htm )...
I have Philips CDM12.1 from steinmusic ready for use so I nead some apinion which DAC to use with it ... olso I have those TDA1541A and TDA1543 so only nead to deside which DAC to build so that I can order rest of parts for it ...
Any apinion will be great help expecialy if you have build one of those 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks
Josip
I have found couple desing on TNT web pages ( http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/tnt1541_e.html ) and A. Galavotti Minimo and Zero ( http://www.geocities.com/agalavotti/zerodac.htm )...
I have Philips CDM12.1 from steinmusic ready for use so I nead some apinion which DAC to use with it ... olso I have those TDA1541A and TDA1543 so only nead to deside which DAC to build so that I can order rest of parts for it ...
Any apinion will be great help expecialy if you have build one of those 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks
Josip
Are you considering a DIY kit ?
I got mine TDA1541A DAC as a kit. Here's the 'raw' specs
2x Parallel TDA1541A
Double regulation for DAC
Silver plated copper PCB
Talema Toroidals for DAC power supply
Custom Mains Transformer (with intenal shield)
Custom power supply choke
Telefunken EZ-80 Rectifier Tube
Custom plate chokes
6H23N-EB (6922) tube stage
Some Kiwame resistors
I changed/added the following components
More Kiwame resistors
RIFA power supply filter caps
Rodium RCA sockets
Glass filled Military Vishay resistor for I/V conversion
Precision Dale resistors for ciritcal resistor values
Japanese Ceramic, gold plated Tube Sockets
Kimber TCSS for internal wiring
Photos of my DAC can be found here http://photos.yahoo.com/ken_chuang/ as well as some of my other DIYs.
If you are interested, contact Robert at http://www.ahfartaudio.com
I am not too sure about whether this is the "best" DIY TDA1541A design. If you are tube fan like me. You probably will like it's idea of maximising the use of tubes.
I got mine TDA1541A DAC as a kit. Here's the 'raw' specs
2x Parallel TDA1541A
Double regulation for DAC
Silver plated copper PCB
Talema Toroidals for DAC power supply
Custom Mains Transformer (with intenal shield)
Custom power supply choke
Telefunken EZ-80 Rectifier Tube
Custom plate chokes
6H23N-EB (6922) tube stage
Some Kiwame resistors
I changed/added the following components
More Kiwame resistors
RIFA power supply filter caps
Rodium RCA sockets
Glass filled Military Vishay resistor for I/V conversion
Precision Dale resistors for ciritcal resistor values
Japanese Ceramic, gold plated Tube Sockets
Kimber TCSS for internal wiring
Photos of my DAC can be found here http://photos.yahoo.com/ken_chuang/ as well as some of my other DIYs.
If you are interested, contact Robert at http://www.ahfartaudio.com
I am not too sure about whether this is the "best" DIY TDA1541A design. If you are tube fan like me. You probably will like it's idea of maximising the use of tubes.
Thanks Ken...but I whill have to put any kit aside...
I will buy oll parts in Croatia from RS...I am tired of ordering from other countris and then I have to spend 20USD for transaction and another 20 for shiping and then there is custom...
I would like to find god shematics and then just put it together...
Thanks Ken once again...
Regards Josip
I will buy oll parts in Croatia from RS...I am tired of ordering from other countris and then I have to spend 20USD for transaction and another 20 for shiping and then there is custom...
I would like to find god shematics and then just put it together...
Thanks Ken once again...
Regards Josip
Hi Jospin,
I was like you a couple of months back looking for a TDA1541 design.
Bought this kit as I am already a customer of Robert and this is a repeated purchase. Heard his rev 1 design with a Kwan Clock mod with a CD PRO 2 transport. Just had a listening session on a LP a couple of days before and found his combination as claimed by many people who owned similar, truely close to "analog" sound. That's why I bought it.
Mine's a Rev 2 design. Not necessary to buy everything from him, I thought getting the PCB will save alot of work already. I got the whole kit because I personally liked his custom transformers.
Met a customer of his recently at his shop. Claimed to have build both the TDA 1541A and TDA 1543 exactly of TNT designs. Not sure if his execution, but seem more knowledgeable in DIY than me. He claimed the 1541A doesn't sound as good as TDA 1543. The TDA1541A is not his cup of tea. Sounded too flat and liveless.
With at least 20 years of DIY experience. He told me the following I trust are quite accurate
1. Most "Internet" DIY DAC designs he tried, the TDA1541A runs very hot, so are some of the components. In a all year round hot and humid country like mine, it's kind of dangerous.
2. Single TDA1541A doesn not sound as dynamic as 2x parallel TDA1541A.
3. Regualtion helps in the DAC circuit
4. Good AC to DC conversion for the tube stage helps to bring down the hum.
5. Grounding is very very critical. Make sure a proper "star" ground.
6. Should build walls of shield in the DAC, especially the transformers affecting digital side.
7. Always lock the RCA interconnect especially for the digital. Your ground for the CD-player and DAC depends on this.
8. Chokes makes the difference in the bass control and openess of the sound.
My additonal own experience with the TDA 1541A circuit
a. The selection of tube in the tube stage very critical. I have got the Russian Military NOS 6H23N-EB. This is a low noise, long lasting version. With such tubes, I actually switched to 'cheaper' tubes for my tube amp. The margains gained from black plates RCA (for example) costing 8 to 10 times more from the NOS Russian tubes becomes somewhat less, in some cases negligible. Surprise that I actually started using my Sovtek 5U4G here and there. Previously I would have immediately taken it out of my amp and put-in the RCAs. I didn't like my GE 5U4GBs, now it's my regular rectifier tube.
b. A good DAC is quite important, more effort and money should be spend on the DAC and source. In my instance, it becomes clear that I am going to save quite substantial cost on replacement tubes for my tube amp, and get a higher level of enjoyment.
Hope that you can find some DAC you like. With a good DAC, you will have no regret spending that extra effort on it.
regards,
Ken Chuang
I was like you a couple of months back looking for a TDA1541 design.
Bought this kit as I am already a customer of Robert and this is a repeated purchase. Heard his rev 1 design with a Kwan Clock mod with a CD PRO 2 transport. Just had a listening session on a LP a couple of days before and found his combination as claimed by many people who owned similar, truely close to "analog" sound. That's why I bought it.
Mine's a Rev 2 design. Not necessary to buy everything from him, I thought getting the PCB will save alot of work already. I got the whole kit because I personally liked his custom transformers.
Met a customer of his recently at his shop. Claimed to have build both the TDA 1541A and TDA 1543 exactly of TNT designs. Not sure if his execution, but seem more knowledgeable in DIY than me. He claimed the 1541A doesn't sound as good as TDA 1543. The TDA1541A is not his cup of tea. Sounded too flat and liveless.
With at least 20 years of DIY experience. He told me the following I trust are quite accurate
1. Most "Internet" DIY DAC designs he tried, the TDA1541A runs very hot, so are some of the components. In a all year round hot and humid country like mine, it's kind of dangerous.
2. Single TDA1541A doesn not sound as dynamic as 2x parallel TDA1541A.
3. Regualtion helps in the DAC circuit
4. Good AC to DC conversion for the tube stage helps to bring down the hum.
5. Grounding is very very critical. Make sure a proper "star" ground.
6. Should build walls of shield in the DAC, especially the transformers affecting digital side.
7. Always lock the RCA interconnect especially for the digital. Your ground for the CD-player and DAC depends on this.
8. Chokes makes the difference in the bass control and openess of the sound.
My additonal own experience with the TDA 1541A circuit
a. The selection of tube in the tube stage very critical. I have got the Russian Military NOS 6H23N-EB. This is a low noise, long lasting version. With such tubes, I actually switched to 'cheaper' tubes for my tube amp. The margains gained from black plates RCA (for example) costing 8 to 10 times more from the NOS Russian tubes becomes somewhat less, in some cases negligible. Surprise that I actually started using my Sovtek 5U4G here and there. Previously I would have immediately taken it out of my amp and put-in the RCAs. I didn't like my GE 5U4GBs, now it's my regular rectifier tube.
b. A good DAC is quite important, more effort and money should be spend on the DAC and source. In my instance, it becomes clear that I am going to save quite substantial cost on replacement tubes for my tube amp, and get a higher level of enjoyment.
Hope that you can find some DAC you like. With a good DAC, you will have no regret spending that extra effort on it.
regards,
Ken Chuang
Kwan Clock
Hi Ken,
What is this Kwan Clock mod? It a schematic available or were can it be bought?😕
Ken Chuang said:
Hi Ken,
What is this Kwan Clock mod? It a schematic available or were can it be bought?😕
If you spent the effort to use one of the translation engines you would know it's Kwak in Chinese.
"Kwan clock"
Hi,
I was told it is still Kwak or Kwok in Chinese meaning surroundings of a old city........🙄 🙄
analog_sa said:
Hi,
I was told it is still Kwak or Kwok in Chinese meaning surroundings of a old city........🙄 🙄
Hi Elso,
That's how Robert called your design. Next time will remind him that it's "Kwak" Clock.
Actually Robert has tried your Asynchronous Reclocker. He told me he had written to you before.
He's coming up with something different. Still missing the critical ingredient, a high precision crystal oscillator to complete his design.
That's how Robert called your design. Next time will remind him that it's "Kwak" Clock.
Actually Robert has tried your Asynchronous Reclocker. He told me he had written to you before.
He's coming up with something different. Still missing the critical ingredient, a high precision crystal oscillator to complete his design.
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