Gabster TD1

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Regarding getting the DAC out of a bird's nest and into a cabinet, what are you considering?

I was offered a dead Yamaha RX-V661 AV reciever, if gutted the thing would be cavernous, so I'm thinking about gutting it and putting streamer and DAC in there and putting a new powder coated plate over the front with a screen or two on it.

Any suggestions or threads you would direct me to as an example of what others have done?

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Right now my cheapest, $65, TDA1541A chip is in the DAC - just in case…

… I'm going to listen to it a while and put in the "better" TDA1541A chip that I have and see if the magical happens.
Been listening to the TD1 with the “better” TDA1541A chip installed for several days. The TD1 is (with this better DAC chip) the best I’ve heard, tonally it is sweet, sound stage is big, and instrument separation is superb. I think my system is now limited by the power amp. Also, the high and midrange are now so good, I’m going to have to finish building the servo subs to really be able evaluate its bass performance.
 
I wanted to share my two toys. I highly recommend trying any build level of the Gabster. They both sound fantastic.
 

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The TDA 1541A S1 single crown came from a Nakamichi CDC-4A I found on eBay. It was for parts only, not working. I was very lucky, it was my third attempt. eBay sellers ripped me off the other two times. It was worth the effort.
 

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@LongLong00 Can I know your first observations?
Hi, I compared the TDA1 with the Holo Audio Spring 3 Level 2. The TDA1 has a larger stage. The bass seems tighter. It makes the gradation of the instruments better. The highs are more detailed. The Holo Audio is very good but the TDA1 does some things better. And it sounds a bit cooler than the Holo.
 
Hi, I compared the TDA1 with the Holo Audio Spring 3 Level 2. The TDA1 has a larger stage. The bass seems tighter. It makes the gradation of the instruments better. The highs are more detailed. The Holo Audio is very good but the TDA1 does some things better. And it sounds a bit cooler than the Holo.
Agree! I also feel it sounds a bit ‘cold’ and tighter bass compared to my other DACs, but overall very natural and detailed. Still like it a lot that I often switch to it from my tube DAC to have something wonderful and completely different .
 
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Got my TD1 working, the board was assembled by Gabby, considering the trouble I had with u.fl sockets soldering on I2StoPCM board I glad I got Gabby to assemble the main board, still not using u.fl connectors, something I need to go back to for final assembly. The setup is Raspberry Pi free, fed through ReceiverPi Pro, powered by bank of Studer 900 Aliexpress power supplies.

I have couple other TDA1541A DACs for comparison a commercial DAC and another kit with tube output stage so it will be interesting.

Initial impressions listening through my headphone system soundstage is huge, layering and separation of instruments just draws you in, mid range amazing.

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