I was confused as to which of the three letters is the manufacturing plant. If it is number two then the chip is manufactured in Taiwan if it is one or three then the chip is manufactured in Holland. So which is it ?
I just go by If It's a Taiwan chip it will be written down the left side as Taiwan, at least that is what I refer to as a Taiwan chip.
As far as the three letter go they follow this order:
A: silicon processing facility
B: assembly facility
C: test facility
The names of the facilities are:
A
H: Nijmegen Holland
J: Caen France
R: Hsinchu/TSMC Taiwan
B
H: Nijmegen
S: Kaohsiung Taiwan
B: Hamburg Germany
C
Nijmegen Holland
https://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/Philips-TDA1541/#tda1541-stampcoding
As far as the three letter go they follow this order:
A: silicon processing facility
B: assembly facility
C: test facility
The names of the facilities are:
A
H: Nijmegen Holland
J: Caen France
R: Hsinchu/TSMC Taiwan
B
H: Nijmegen
S: Kaohsiung Taiwan
B: Hamburg Germany
C
Nijmegen Holland
https://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/Philips-TDA1541/#tda1541-stampcoding
I have decided to leave this to someone experienced to deal with. The chip is in a slightly awkward place (so a screw driver won't work) , and I don't have the right tool to hand, as we are in temporary accommodation. But more importantly, I have been fortunate to come across a genuine S2 chip , and clearly that is a rarity (apart from buying a CD7 at vast expense and butchering it ). So I need to be respectful of this situation and treat the S2 chip as a very scarce commodity and ensure it is put into its new home in the CDA94 without a mishap.
This is super frustrating as I am obviously keen to hear just what a difference that chip makes (or doesn't) ..........
Thanks for the advice in the meantime , I will let you know the outcome in January.
This is super frustrating as I am obviously keen to hear just what a difference that chip makes (or doesn't) ..........
Thanks for the advice in the meantime , I will let you know the outcome in January.
So I found time to visit my known hifi repair specialist. He did the job in 5 minutes, but I was pleased that I had taken into to him. One because he had the right tool to pluck the existing tool out with a grabber tool as shown above in one of the replies. This went to either side of the chip across its length. But second because on the new double crown chip, he straightened the pins out which had become slightly bent by using a pair of pliers to straighten a batch of them at the same time. Something that I wouldn’t have thought of.
A couple of pictures are attached.
A couple of pictures are attached.
Attachments
So what does it sound like ?
My amplifier is a Marantz PM 75 ( newly recapped ) and it has a DAC unit within it which contains a Single Crown (S1) TDA1541 Chip.
So before I upgraded to the double crown chip, I was able to initially compared the CDA 94 with its existingTDA 1541A chip against the Marantz PM75 with the S1 chip. I have a DSD Tech unit which takes the digital out from my iPhone (Amazon lossless) to an optical and coaxial output. The Optical feeds into the CDA94 and the Coaxial into the PM75. A flick of a switch moved me from one to the other.
I was a little surprised and disappointed by the result. I had expected the CDA 94 because of its better components, separation and sole purpose to be a DAC to wipe the floor with the Marantz PM75, with its cluttered internal layout. But it didn’t. The CDA 94 had a bit more organic depth in the sound overall BUT I was surprised that the Marantz PM75 definitely had a slight increased clarity. It was just a bit sharper (not by much) , but the best of describing was that it seemed like some kind of a veil had been lifted off the music.
So I have now done the same comparison with the new double crown chip in the CDA 94 versus the S1 chip in the Marantz.
Now the CDA 94 wins comfortably. It’s got greater clarity and also more a stronger immediate bass, better highs and lows.
An even greater veil has been lifted and this is now combined with the organic pitch black sound from the Black Gates. It has such a depth of sound. I have listened to many many tracks but on Leonard Cohen’s “it seemed the better way” on his last album You Want it Darker provided a good example of this, or the visceral guitar on a Whole Lot of Love, or the high hats which sound so pin-point sharp. Then the bass at the end of The Chain (Fleetwood Mac) is so low with a darkness like the depths of the ocean …….
The sound that I have now got is simple stunning. I am very much a vinyl lover but I have to say that this DAC gets very close and sometimes better compared to my LP12.
My take and I don’t know whether other people would agree is that upgrading the TDA Chip itself seemed to be a really important determinant in improving the sound quality. I could hear improvements moving from an ordinary TDA 1541 chip to a Single Crown and now to utopia with the double crown version, which I feel very blessed to have been able to pick up a genuine chip.
I have a genuinely vintage digital system with the above mentioned DAC unit and amplifier playing through Yahama NS1000m speakers that to be frank sounds amazing. I feel like I have pretty much reached were I need to get to now in terms of sonic perfection and for a fraction of the cost than if I had to buy a new system which sounded as good as the this one. View welcomed on this as well.
My amplifier is a Marantz PM 75 ( newly recapped ) and it has a DAC unit within it which contains a Single Crown (S1) TDA1541 Chip.
So before I upgraded to the double crown chip, I was able to initially compared the CDA 94 with its existingTDA 1541A chip against the Marantz PM75 with the S1 chip. I have a DSD Tech unit which takes the digital out from my iPhone (Amazon lossless) to an optical and coaxial output. The Optical feeds into the CDA94 and the Coaxial into the PM75. A flick of a switch moved me from one to the other.
I was a little surprised and disappointed by the result. I had expected the CDA 94 because of its better components, separation and sole purpose to be a DAC to wipe the floor with the Marantz PM75, with its cluttered internal layout. But it didn’t. The CDA 94 had a bit more organic depth in the sound overall BUT I was surprised that the Marantz PM75 definitely had a slight increased clarity. It was just a bit sharper (not by much) , but the best of describing was that it seemed like some kind of a veil had been lifted off the music.
So I have now done the same comparison with the new double crown chip in the CDA 94 versus the S1 chip in the Marantz.
Now the CDA 94 wins comfortably. It’s got greater clarity and also more a stronger immediate bass, better highs and lows.
An even greater veil has been lifted and this is now combined with the organic pitch black sound from the Black Gates. It has such a depth of sound. I have listened to many many tracks but on Leonard Cohen’s “it seemed the better way” on his last album You Want it Darker provided a good example of this, or the visceral guitar on a Whole Lot of Love, or the high hats which sound so pin-point sharp. Then the bass at the end of The Chain (Fleetwood Mac) is so low with a darkness like the depths of the ocean …….
The sound that I have now got is simple stunning. I am very much a vinyl lover but I have to say that this DAC gets very close and sometimes better compared to my LP12.
My take and I don’t know whether other people would agree is that upgrading the TDA Chip itself seemed to be a really important determinant in improving the sound quality. I could hear improvements moving from an ordinary TDA 1541 chip to a Single Crown and now to utopia with the double crown version, which I feel very blessed to have been able to pick up a genuine chip.
I have a genuinely vintage digital system with the above mentioned DAC unit and amplifier playing through Yahama NS1000m speakers that to be frank sounds amazing. I feel like I have pretty much reached were I need to get to now in terms of sonic perfection and for a fraction of the cost than if I had to buy a new system which sounded as good as the this one. View welcomed on this as well.
When I was playing with TDA1541A DAC ICs long ago, I bought 10 of them to find one that sounded as good as S1. I failed, but only just... The S1 DAC IC still sounded just a touch better than the plain TDA1541A one I managed to get out of the 10 I bought. By the way, they (the plain A ones) all sounded different... In other words, it is good that you managed to find an S2 IC.
I suggest that you consider installing a separate clock oscillator (I used SUPERCLOCK 4 with its own transformer and low-noise power supply, left to be powered ON at all times). That was a major improvement, especially in how the instruments started to sound like the real deal - a very faithful presentation. Plus, stereo separation, details, and low-frequency definition all improved- just wonderful, really.
You will appreciate this mod in particular.... because you like vinyl/turntable/analog sound...
I suggest that you consider installing a separate clock oscillator (I used SUPERCLOCK 4 with its own transformer and low-noise power supply, left to be powered ON at all times). That was a major improvement, especially in how the instruments started to sound like the real deal - a very faithful presentation. Plus, stereo separation, details, and low-frequency definition all improved- just wonderful, really.
You will appreciate this mod in particular.... because you like vinyl/turntable/analog sound...
My 2 cents, though there's gonna be Sq differences between S1 & S2, dont expect to hear magic cause there is
so much one can do around the 1541 to bring out it's best. For me S2 too hi fi sounding I prefer S1. Just a matter of taste
so much one can do around the 1541 to bring out it's best. For me S2 too hi fi sounding I prefer S1. Just a matter of taste
Thank you for the suggestion. Can you be a bit clearer about what you mean? Is this an external device which takes the output of the digital source (eg iPhone streaming) and provides the CDA 94 with a cleaner coaxial or optical input ?
I agree that the S2 (and the standard Taiwan chips, (which are very very similar in my view), do have a more 'HiFi' sound). Matching with other components is needed so as not to lose some of the TDA1541 "magic". It is all a matter of taste and system.
Hi Jotom,
All Tda's pre 89 if Im not mistaken are all produce in Holland . Taiwan chips including S2 are 97 or so. It makes wonder the difference in sound could be partly due to material composition to make the chips that has changed. We're looking at almost a 10 year spend hence.
Cheers
All Tda's pre 89 if Im not mistaken are all produce in Holland . Taiwan chips including S2 are 97 or so. It makes wonder the difference in sound could be partly due to material composition to make the chips that has changed. We're looking at almost a 10 year spend hence.
Cheers
I have to say that I was very surprised by your response, as I had assumed that everyone would naturally prefer the greater clarity, but as you state it is a matter of (personal) taste.
I wouldn't regard my S2 in the CDA94 as sounding HiFi at all, although I am not quite sure what you mean by HiFi. For me, that would be the digital sheen that some people view as perfection in modern DACs that are for example upsampled by HQPlayer by a million times. I also have a Chord Hugo 2 which I do love as well, but it can have a tendency to sound a bit to silky smooth in a slightly unnatural manner, particularly when upsampled or maybe the music is at high resolution, albeit it still sounds fantastic.
But it doesn't have the organic richness that I get from the CDA94, which sounds so very natural as well as retaining real clarity in showcasing the highs and lows of the music being played , and yet the sound also seems to have a density about it as well.
After I got my Chord Hugo 2, I assumed that I would end up getting a Dave or an MDScaler but I have since gone (back) into Vinyl, and now the TDA 1541 chip . It is funny how your musical journey flows ......
Hi Highfell,
First thing first, I see that you've populated at least around TDA & op amps with all Blackgate caps. This in itself is a big mistake.
I've been playing with Bg caps for a very long time including N & Nx. What BG brings to the table is body & sense of realism but
caveat they aren't very transparent & aren't good at highs. The critical areas has be to use in conjunction with other caps to create a balance
sound. Also the resistor type used in the I/V stage is very important different brand types has different sound. The multitude of BG caps
used are in fact blocking transparency & highs, hence my comment.
First thing first, I see that you've populated at least around TDA & op amps with all Blackgate caps. This in itself is a big mistake.
I've been playing with Bg caps for a very long time including N & Nx. What BG brings to the table is body & sense of realism but
caveat they aren't very transparent & aren't good at highs. The critical areas has be to use in conjunction with other caps to create a balance
sound. Also the resistor type used in the I/V stage is very important different brand types has different sound. The multitude of BG caps
used are in fact blocking transparency & highs, hence my comment.
Thanks for your views. You obviously are very experienced over a long period of time here/
The machine was upgraded in 2019 by a someone who now creates & manufacturers high end streamer/dacs (£15K). I haven't heard them but I would assume that he must have some real capability in this regard and his view clearly was that putting Black Gates where he did would enhance the sound of the CDA94.
If there is too much organic richness with the BGs then it is nicely mitigated by the brilliance of the S2. My NS1000m speakers can be a little bright also. I am very happy with the sound it has so much more depth , but with better highs and lows due to the S2.
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.
I have always found COAX better sounding than Optical in these older machines.
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