Hi, I have a Mark Levinson 35 DAC with HDCD my question is whether it can be upgraded? Could be some new components would provide better sound than the old ones?
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I’d be willing to bet that some Burson op amps would breath some life into that unit.
If it’s as old as I think it is, then it may be nearing the time to replace the electrolytic capacitors, there’s a world of flavors out there when it comes to those, depending on your tastes. I use Mundorf AG for the larger ones, and some aging parts made for OEMs by Elna.
And also an A/C line filter if you don’t already use one.
Otherwise it looks perfectly made.
If it’s as old as I think it is, then it may be nearing the time to replace the electrolytic capacitors, there’s a world of flavors out there when it comes to those, depending on your tastes. I use Mundorf AG for the larger ones, and some aging parts made for OEMs by Elna.
And also an A/C line filter if you don’t already use one.
Otherwise it looks perfectly made.
Hi Phase,
some think it is important for the sound that the large capacitors are SPRAGUE capacitors 672D series 5600uf 50V (the large square ones)
But there are probably just as good capacitors today that can be found and paid for. and can also see that they are not the ones mounted in my DAC (maybe they are changing at some point to something unoriginal)
It has been repaired 3 times while I have had it and there they have changed the capacitor (which I do not know) but I think they are the ones where the Panasonic capacitor is now in, I wonder if that is the best choice?
Many people have advised against upgrading to such a DAC, but think that it does not hurt to discuss what could be done to bring the otherwise sounding DAC uptodat 🙂
some think it is important for the sound that the large capacitors are SPRAGUE capacitors 672D series 5600uf 50V (the large square ones)
But there are probably just as good capacitors today that can be found and paid for. and can also see that they are not the ones mounted in my DAC (maybe they are changing at some point to something unoriginal)
It has been repaired 3 times while I have had it and there they have changed the capacitor (which I do not know) but I think they are the ones where the Panasonic capacitor is now in, I wonder if that is the best choice?
Many people have advised against upgrading to such a DAC, but think that it does not hurt to discuss what could be done to bring the otherwise sounding DAC uptodat 🙂
I should have mentioned that you’d need to see the circuit to truly determine an answer to that, there are situations where you’re better to leave as is.
Your existing parts are a low slew rate, supporting circuitry may not allow for a higher slew rate part. And those parts are very low noise parts, so something like the Bursons may not have the same measurements, even if they (likely) sounded better.
The AD548 can tolerate up to 18 volts, something that the Burson can’t, something else to consider as well.
There’s a chance that those original parts were hand picked (binned) to obtain the best performing parts.
Your existing parts are a low slew rate, supporting circuitry may not allow for a higher slew rate part. And those parts are very low noise parts, so something like the Bursons may not have the same measurements, even if they (likely) sounded better.
The AD548 can tolerate up to 18 volts, something that the Burson can’t, something else to consider as well.
There’s a chance that those original parts were hand picked (binned) to obtain the best performing parts.
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