Today I replaced the origina 1:1 interstage transformers in my Audionote Kits DAC 4.1 with a couple of 80% Nickel cores custom build by David Slagle (Intact Audio).
The upgraded transformers are a bit bigger than the original ones, but I was able to make them fit quite easily.
The results are quite impressive in terms of wider/deeper sound stage, more clarity in particular on the top end where the DAC 4.1 with the original 1:1 transformers sounded a bit edgy and fuzzy, and in general the music sounds more fluid.
I am really happy with them and I would suggest the same upgrade to all the owners of an Audionote Kits DAC, together with replacing the coupling capacitors with Duelund CAST PIO Cu/Sn.
My next upgrade will be replacing the AN1865 DAC board with a AN1862 one.
The upgraded transformers are a bit bigger than the original ones, but I was able to make them fit quite easily.
The results are quite impressive in terms of wider/deeper sound stage, more clarity in particular on the top end where the DAC 4.1 with the original 1:1 transformers sounded a bit edgy and fuzzy, and in general the music sounds more fluid.
I am really happy with them and I would suggest the same upgrade to all the owners of an Audionote Kits DAC, together with replacing the coupling capacitors with Duelund CAST PIO Cu/Sn.
My next upgrade will be replacing the AN1865 DAC board with a AN1862 one.
Last edited:
