discrete solid state mainly ie. mosfets, jfets, transistors even well done high end opamps is more to my taste. tubes can sound good if done well, but still not really my thing especially for source. better for amps and such so you can choose to have the colour or not. I know thats a bit of a cliche, but until big dollars are spent on tubes I do find they colour the sound
transformers are a funny one, I have enjoyed well implemented transformer coupled dacs before (including my own), but once you know what a mess they make of the signal it becomes a bit less appealing. can sound quite good, musical, easy on the ear, euphonic etc, but distortion isnt great and normally neither is DNR. can sound good though, but from a technical standpoint, if that matters to you as it does me, its a bit of a turn off.
transformers are a funny one, I have enjoyed well implemented transformer coupled dacs before (including my own), but once you know what a mess they make of the signal it becomes a bit less appealing. can sound quite good, musical, easy on the ear, euphonic etc, but distortion isnt great and normally neither is DNR. can sound good though, but from a technical standpoint, if that matters to you as it does me, its a bit of a turn off.
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EE Minimax DAC mods
This thread didn't go anywhere when it was first started.
I was wondering if, besides the volume bypass and tube/opamp rolling, anyone has since attempted modding it.
Seems to me like there's a lot of potential in the power supply and tube output depts. Unfortunately I don't have the experience to attempt this on my own.
This thread didn't go anywhere when it was first started.
I was wondering if, besides the volume bypass and tube/opamp rolling, anyone has since attempted modding it.
Seems to me like there's a lot of potential in the power supply and tube output depts. Unfortunately I don't have the experience to attempt this on my own.
Wayne over at boulder cable did a series of mods to the original dac. He had some previliged info from alex the designer. Check out audiocircle.
Eastern Electric DAC mods
Eastern Electric DAC mods
I'm familiar with Wayne's work. His latest Level 3 mods cost around $2000.
He's a great guy but is running a business and will most certainly not go into great detail on the "how to" aspect.
With all the talented DIYers over here I was hoping someone could provide some free useful info.
He's a great guy but is running a business and will most certainly not go into great detail on the "how to" aspect.
With all the talented DIYers over here I was hoping someone could provide some free useful info.
Hardcore response. What do you think of the Sabre 32 DAC since you have 3 of them to play with?
Kenobi
i like it a lot, i prefer it to all other dacs i've tried over the last few years.
3 key areas. AVCC and DVCC power supply quality, direct and short low impedance return for the iv stage, with i2s input preferred.
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