Bill
I got the response, they dont send out the schematics
The Jensen setup: I missed it. Where can I show it?
Regards
Franz
I got the response, they dont send out the schematics
The Jensen setup: I missed it. Where can I show it?
Regards
Franz
Bill
Thanks for searching!
But I think, there is no offset trim needed for the CS4398. I could not measure any DC current through the trannies.
Franz
Thanks for searching!
But I think, there is no offset trim needed for the CS4398. I could not measure any DC current through the trannies.
Franz
Another suggestion to try:
Some engineers told me, transformers make less distortions when they are used on current level only.
Zero voltage on the primary = no magnetization of the core.
So this means a short circuit on the secondary side!
How do this?
Connect one side of the secondary to ground. The other side to an inverting opamp input, a virtual ground.
O.K. O.K., I am back to add active parts. But maybe it's worth a try?
Franz
Some engineers told me, transformers make less distortions when they are used on current level only.
Zero voltage on the primary = no magnetization of the core.
So this means a short circuit on the secondary side!
How do this?
Connect one side of the secondary to ground. The other side to an inverting opamp input, a virtual ground.
O.K. O.K., I am back to add active parts. But maybe it's worth a try?
Franz
I did leave out the DC balance circuit too, not necessary.
I'm a minimalist also, thats why I find the Pass Labs equipment so appealing. Using the trans eliminates a pile of circuitry, and I like that idea. I haven't tried loading the secondaries yet, I just got it going yesterday.
What you are describing sounds like it would need an I/V stage with lots of gain after the trans so we would be going backwards in some ways. I have promised myself that I will never put an opamp in an audio circuit ever again
I'm not going to deny that there must be some level of distortion, but I doubt it could affect the sonics in any way. The transformers seem to be less intrusive and slightly more revealing.
I'll post again after I get the unit properly built up and in its own case.
Best, Bill
I'm a minimalist also, thats why I find the Pass Labs equipment so appealing. Using the trans eliminates a pile of circuitry, and I like that idea. I haven't tried loading the secondaries yet, I just got it going yesterday.
What you are describing sounds like it would need an I/V stage with lots of gain after the trans so we would be going backwards in some ways. I have promised myself that I will never put an opamp in an audio circuit ever again
I'm not going to deny that there must be some level of distortion, but I doubt it could affect the sonics in any way. The transformers seem to be less intrusive and slightly more revealing.
I'll post again after I get the unit properly built up and in its own case.
Best, Bill
Franz Gysi said:
I modified 6 of these dacs and none of them had any Dc voltage at the output between L+ & L-
and R+& R-
I ordered one of the "nonupsampling" kits without input trannie and without the USB chip, but with DIR9001.
As I have some PCM2902 in my stock, I tried today to solder one in, and it seems I succeded (I could at least not measure some shorts between the pins):
As I have some PCM2902 in my stock, I tried today to solder one in, and it seems I succeded (I could at least not measure some shorts between the pins):
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Bill Fuss said:
Franz Gysi said:
Bill Fuss said:
Thanks Bill for the tip and the link to the message.
Can anybody confirm the Studers are 600 Ohm and the Jensen schematic fits?
Any tweaks to the schematic? 🙂
You really don't need the balance circuitry on the primary, just the series resistors and the cap, and the resistor and cap on the secondary.
I dont know about the Studers but you cant hurt anything.
This is turning into the best $150 I've ever spent, I'm truly amazed. The depth and resolution are incredible.
I dont know about the Studers but you cant hurt anything.
This is turning into the best $150 I've ever spent, I'm truly amazed. The depth and resolution are incredible.
Hello Bill,
You helped me out on my DIY Aleph 5 a while back, which is soldered up and complete, but not yet wired up in a chassis and functional.. One of these days I will get to finishing it..
I put it on the back burner since I bought a real Aleph 5 a while back. I like the Aleph 5, and will eventually have to decide if the real or DIY Aleph 5 stays in my system, or the Krell KSA-50 Clone...so far the Krell ranks on bottom end, but the Aleph sure is sweet...maybe a biamp??
Anyway, I bought one of these CS4398 DACs and still awaiting its arrival...must be on a slow boat from China...
Good to hear you like this DAC... I also went a little crazy the other day and bought Benchmark DAC1. I kinda prefer this thread's DAC predecessor - the CS4397 with a LT6172 opamp over the DAC1...nothing make me feel better than building something I prefer over a real expensive piece of equipment that is a ubiquitous Audio staple.
More later...
Be good.
You helped me out on my DIY Aleph 5 a while back, which is soldered up and complete, but not yet wired up in a chassis and functional.. One of these days I will get to finishing it..
I put it on the back burner since I bought a real Aleph 5 a while back. I like the Aleph 5, and will eventually have to decide if the real or DIY Aleph 5 stays in my system, or the Krell KSA-50 Clone...so far the Krell ranks on bottom end, but the Aleph sure is sweet...maybe a biamp??
Anyway, I bought one of these CS4398 DACs and still awaiting its arrival...must be on a slow boat from China...
Good to hear you like this DAC... I also went a little crazy the other day and bought Benchmark DAC1. I kinda prefer this thread's DAC predecessor - the CS4397 with a LT6172 opamp over the DAC1...nothing make me feel better than building something I prefer over a real expensive piece of equipment that is a ubiquitous Audio staple.
More later...
Be good.
You'll have to let everyone know how this DAC compares to the Benchmark. Maybe it's time to build an X-amp, I've got one in the works.
When I last looked there were still a pair of Sescom MI-14s on Ebay for 50 bucks if anyone is looking for transformers. The retail on them was around $135 apiece when new.
When I last looked there were still a pair of Sescom MI-14s on Ebay for 50 bucks if anyone is looking for transformers. The retail on them was around $135 apiece when new.
Bill Fuss said:
Stock, The Benchmark sounds awful. Dry, undynamic, sterile...
There's many NE5534 at the audio output that destroy the sound capability.
This dac is overrated by many reviewers. Why ???
One of my friends used transformers at the output to replace op amps and it made a BIG difference.
They use a current dac not a voltage dac as the CS439x
Do you have any experience in implementing transformers for I/V stages, I might try it with PCM63s.
I agree. Kind of blah. I bought it and wanted to swap the opamp to a LT6172 or OPA627, but the existing NE5534 was soldered on, and don't feel like messing with it...
The LT6172 after the CS4397 really wakes her up...have the same plans for the CS4398 when I get it....
I will eventually sell the benchmark. I do like the balanced out option tho.
Sowter 4603c
Hello
When I I read through this tread I decided to try transformers with my CS4397 DAC.
I used to apply tube analogue stage, which is far better than any opamps, but transformers makes difference tat is HUGE, breathtaking. I'm using Sowters 4603c, and I'm going to try Lundahls also.
Thanks for an idea.
Sorry my ugly english.
Some photos-dirty testing circuit and Sowters initself:
Hello
When I I read through this tread I decided to try transformers with my CS4397 DAC.
I used to apply tube analogue stage, which is far better than any opamps, but transformers makes difference tat is HUGE, breathtaking. I'm using Sowters 4603c, and I'm going to try Lundahls also.
Thanks for an idea.
Sorry my ugly english.
Some photos-dirty testing circuit and Sowters initself:
Attachments
I am examining my latest purchase, the older, non upsampling version.
And what do I see on the pins of the LM337:
Crossed legs 🙄
Franz
And what do I see on the pins of the LM337:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Crossed legs 🙄
Franz
john65b said:
The LM6172 is somewhat too incisive so I recommend you the LM4562
But if you want to be in the big leagues, transformer is the way to go. I love tubes but they don't do the task better than the transformers
I actually tried the LM4562, the OPA627, OPA2134, LT1364, and the LM6172 sounded more clearer and revealing. Kinda what I was looking for...
OK, I want a try transformer. I have heard this thread mention all sorts of transformer manufacturers, but what exact specs am I looking for? Edcors, Lundahl, Sowter, Sescom, UTC,
I am a total neophyte on these transformers. What exactly do they do better than Opamps in this application? Utilized for Gain? Are they stardard output trannies like for tube amps? I have a set of those laying around, but they are 4300 ohm Hammond 1650N...I don't think these are what you all have been using.
I plan to have an 6SN7/6SN7 Aikido Tube preamp after the CS4398 DAC (or the CS4397 if it sounds better) and wonder if I can toss the Opamp/tranny and go directly into the Aikido inputs?
I built a Kusonuki style (?) TDA1543 x4 DAC a long while back and it had no opamp or transformer on the back end. Sounded good, but prefered the CS4397...
OK, I want a try transformer. I have heard this thread mention all sorts of transformer manufacturers, but what exact specs am I looking for? Edcors, Lundahl, Sowter, Sescom, UTC,
I am a total neophyte on these transformers. What exactly do they do better than Opamps in this application? Utilized for Gain? Are they stardard output trannies like for tube amps? I have a set of those laying around, but they are 4300 ohm Hammond 1650N...I don't think these are what you all have been using.
I plan to have an 6SN7/6SN7 Aikido Tube preamp after the CS4398 DAC (or the CS4397 if it sounds better) and wonder if I can toss the Opamp/tranny and go directly into the Aikido inputs?
I built a Kusonuki style (?) TDA1543 x4 DAC a long while back and it had no opamp or transformer on the back end. Sounded good, but prefered the CS4397...