Is this a real TDA1541A?

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#862
pathway said:
The problem comparing one via COAX and the other via Optical is the performance of each connection will have an influence on the sound.
I have always found COAX better sounding than Optical in these older machines.
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My gut feeling is that any differences in sound between coaxial and optical inputs (assuming you can really hear them) would be somewhat less than the difference between the two Dacs and the S1/S2 chips. Also the ability to switch between the two Dacs at the touch of a switch makes comparing them much easier than if you have to spend a couple of minutes switching cables and then trying to remember accurately what the previous Dac really sounded like.

I have also read that the CDA94 sounds better with an optical input versus the coaxial.
 
#863
sumotan said:
No punt intended, just because he's now making high end streamers doesn't mean that he knows it all about SQ.
Just llike speakers, so many so call high end designers & yet so many not sounding that good but I'll give you that they measured well. Hence
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My point was that he has some experience in this field and obviously had a view as to how to improve the sound of the machine. Rather annoyingly, he removed the variable sound output and disconnected the headphone socket as he felt both of those features had a negative impact on the sound of the unit.So he was very focused on what he felt would provide the best end result.

Maybe, you are right but it certainly sounds great to me and a worthwhile improvement on what I had before. I find it fairly comparable to my vinyl set up which makes me very happy given how you have access to so much more music (streaming) for free (if you forget your monthly subscritpion) versus having to buy a LP - which I do regularly in any case.

I have also a sense of satisfaction having found a legitimate S2 - the holy grail - which after all is what this thread is all about.
 
#864
Most important is that you happy with what you have Highfell.
For me Im very bad, I've been born with itchy fingers & having an intiatous
appetide of can I do better, hence my projects are never boxed up, just waiting
for that hmmmm what if I do this. lol

Take care
 
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#865
highfell said:
My gut feeling is that any differences in sound between coaxial and optical inputs (assuming you can really hear them)
Click to expand...
... oh, you can hear them... if the coax is done properly.
highfell said:
I have also read that the CDA94 sounds better with an optical input versus the coaxial.
Click to expand...
... well, yeah... look at what Marantz did with those coax inputs:

1737860509549.png
 
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#873
hi guys, can I get some advise on this double crown, and the seller pls ? Anyway to know if it's real, and has anyone bought from this store ?
Looks reliable and he says that this was a stock bought directly from Philips about 30 years ago !
The picture shows double crowns but says S1 ?

Much appreciate your assistance.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/164267853392?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=777008&algo=PERSONAL.TOPIC&ao=1&asc=284621&meid=689466eff8864189977ba7210defb8af&pid=101952&rk=1&rkt=1&mehot=pp&itm=164267853392&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=4375194&algv=WatchlistVariantWithMLR_BP&brand=Philips&_trksid=p4375194.c101952.m162921&_trkparms=parentrq:a307b0461960a6f026e1eb5dffffe2fa|pageci:6fe40ea8-2a12-11f0-baec-0ae67c3d8cf3|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage
 
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#875
ah that's dissapointing ;( I was hoping I can finally get hold of a double crown. I pinged him and this was his response :

- In addition, as you mentioned, there indeed a lot of fakes nowadays, and actually we think we should be the only seller who indeed still have the NOS TDA1541A double crown, all others are fake as we saw, because our TDA1541A-S1 double crown was purchased directly from PHILIPS authorized distributor by our boss about 30 years ago, no third party involved, hence they are definitely genuine, you can check the pictures of this auction to find that we have the original PHILIPS box, and we noticed that many sellers stealing the pictures from our store to cheat.
 
#876
Just my opinion, When you check elswhere like dutchaudioclassic website, I don't see two crowns with a S1. I am aware of two pictures of crowns, noone like the Ebay photo. But I am not a TDA1541A chip guru but seems to me they were added. I am not sure they have stocks for rressellers of S2 either. There was a little batch of late Taiwann S2 iirc than Marantz used in last high end cd player with it... something like 150 units, no more... because no more avialable !
 
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#879
the only way to tell would be to open it...

But there is no better way than to test it at low signal with a THD analyzer , that is the ultimate test as it was done at the factory.

I just can't get enough of the PCM chip, the tda always left me wanting more with its like front, side, back, 3 voices layout of musical pieces, very easy to follow voices and hear music, but not as musical and enjoyable as the PCM!@
 
#880
As with any aspirational item, sometimes the hype is more than the item itself. Having owned TDA1540/1 products in many forms (including standard (ceramic and plastic) NL, S1 S2 and Taiwan), I'd say that even though the chip does make a difference, far larger ones result from the various design paths using them. Op Amps, Valves (if used), Clock, PSU, Caps etc make a larger sound impression from what I’ve heard. Looking at the specs, an S1 gives nearly the same performance as an S2, but far greater is the change from NL produced compared to Taiwan made chips.

To me, in the same machine a Taiwan standard chip is indistinguishable from a Taiwan S2 (in a good way) and both are quite different from NL made items. (I’ve not had a NL double crown only a S1).

From Dutchaudioclassics.NL

“The "select" version TDA1541A S1 progressed to become the TDA1541A S2, with an even stricter selective standard and a so-called double crown mark. In fact, previous "select" product levels were easily exceeded through improvements in the manufacturing process and manufacturing precision of the device”.

My advice is to choose the right design/machine, use a NL made standard or S1 chip (if a trusted one is available) or a Taiwan made standard chip. Upgrade as set out here in lots of threads and enjoy. There are some good reviews out there (one of a shootout between a Marantz CD94, a Marantz CD7 and an AMR CD77) for instance. These machines use different forms of TDA1541 DAC and the results are interesting.

https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/the-amr-cd77-a-comparison-review.7050/
 
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