I did some listening today for a couple of hours. I compared the DAC V3 with a stock Marantz CD17-II. Results are not necessarily conclusive but indicative of the trend.
I used a disc by Linda Ronstadt with good vocals and percussion. Not the best recoding but good enough to show up differences.
The preference starting with the most prefered sound.
1. V3 DAC - NOS+ clock
2. V3 DAC - NOS
3. V3 DAC + clock +SA7220
4. CD-17-II
The CD17 was noticeably inferior in percussion and LF weight!
Voice was 'smoother' but recessed . I have to check out on the voice reproduction . It did sound recessed and the 'smoother' does not mean better - more like rounded off !
Cheers.
I used a disc by Linda Ronstadt with good vocals and percussion. Not the best recoding but good enough to show up differences.
The preference starting with the most prefered sound.
1. V3 DAC - NOS+ clock
2. V3 DAC - NOS
3. V3 DAC + clock +SA7220
4. CD-17-II
The CD17 was noticeably inferior in percussion and LF weight!
Voice was 'smoother' but recessed . I have to check out on the voice reproduction . It did sound recessed and the 'smoother' does not mean better - more like rounded off !
Cheers.
Dac arrived, first question...
Hi,
my package arrived today and I am so happy...
The PCB looks amazing and after re-reading the thread I think that now I know what I need to do to start using it.
One technical question I have:
on the board there is a connector "TTL". Am I correct in assuming that it takes the SPDIF output of a PC CD-Rom (5V) as opposed to the < 1V of a CD- or DVD-Player digital out?
Thank you Thomas,
I am soooo looking forward to being able to use the DAC.
Thanks,
Michael
Hi,
my package arrived today and I am so happy...
The PCB looks amazing and after re-reading the thread I think that now I know what I need to do to start using it.
One technical question I have:
on the board there is a connector "TTL". Am I correct in assuming that it takes the SPDIF output of a PC CD-Rom (5V) as opposed to the < 1V of a CD- or DVD-Player digital out?
Thank you Thomas,
I am soooo looking forward to being able to use the DAC.
Thanks,
Michael
hi riotubes,
I check the message already which in MSG
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=975347&stamp=1154616127
all the pri was on the left side.
The two red one will be 0~110,Brown one will be sae 0~110 too. Black was ground.
since in USA was 0~110 or 117VAC, use single winding will be OK.
All the sec had Ct. U can use the metre t test the votage, since the unloading voltage will higher, after U connect the DAC, will lower to normal voltage.
thx
thomas
I check the message already which in MSG
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=975347&stamp=1154616127
all the pri was on the left side.
The two red one will be 0~110,Brown one will be sae 0~110 too. Black was ground.
since in USA was 0~110 or 117VAC, use single winding will be OK.
All the sec had Ct. U can use the metre t test the votage, since the unloading voltage will higher, after U connect the DAC, will lower to normal voltage.
thx
thomas
tube-lover said:
Ok thanks thomas that's perfect, just what i needed. i will buy a plextor DVD drive for it.
Marc
Hi Thomas,
That is everything I received in my cd rom controller kit.
I purchased an Asus model CD-S520/A5 with a digital out. Hopefully the new cd rom drive will fix the communication problem and the digital out from the new rom will work great with the dac ver.3. I don't think the cd rom controller has a digital music connection to the dac. I will keep my everyone posted.
I have not done anymore listening to the dac. I am very impressed by the comments from the others that are listening to it. I can't wait to try the cd rom with dac.
That is everything I received in my cd rom controller kit.
I purchased an Asus model CD-S520/A5 with a digital out. Hopefully the new cd rom drive will fix the communication problem and the digital out from the new rom will work great with the dac ver.3. I don't think the cd rom controller has a digital music connection to the dac. I will keep my everyone posted.
I have not done anymore listening to the dac. I am very impressed by the comments from the others that are listening to it. I can't wait to try the cd rom with dac.
my encounterment with the CDROM kit. The Cdrom i use was an LG 52X CDROM.
1) Only Play button doesn't work. I think it's not supported on my CDROM or it could be wrong somewhere. I did try shorting it to see if it's the problem with the button, but no success. But remote works can i can hit play from remote.
2) if u press on the button too often, too much times, it will hang and stop responding. Will need to turn off and on again.
other than that it's good 🙂
someone here mentioned that the CDROM Digital out is 5v, again i'm asking this question, can it be supported by the DAC v3 ? Can the board take so much voltage ?
i was told that the TDA1541A need some cooling, and was advice to put heatsink on it. Anyone with experience on this ?
any idea how much current this DAC board take ? i plan to use SLA battery 12v + 6v or maybe a 6v+6v+6v (same)... cause someone told me i'm not suppose to combine 12v+6v... any feedback?
ops, i was suppose to do the documentation for this DAC n CDROM kit, was just too bz this couple of weeks...
1) Only Play button doesn't work. I think it's not supported on my CDROM or it could be wrong somewhere. I did try shorting it to see if it's the problem with the button, but no success. But remote works can i can hit play from remote.
2) if u press on the button too often, too much times, it will hang and stop responding. Will need to turn off and on again.
other than that it's good 🙂
someone here mentioned that the CDROM Digital out is 5v, again i'm asking this question, can it be supported by the DAC v3 ? Can the board take so much voltage ?
i was told that the TDA1541A need some cooling, and was advice to put heatsink on it. Anyone with experience on this ?
any idea how much current this DAC board take ? i plan to use SLA battery 12v + 6v or maybe a 6v+6v+6v (same)... cause someone told me i'm not suppose to combine 12v+6v... any feedback?
ops, i was suppose to do the documentation for this DAC n CDROM kit, was just too bz this couple of weeks...
hi kip,
ls let me know the result.
If really the asus & the plextor that I choose was the best work with the cd-rom kit. I will prepare a linear , low noise power supply for the cd-rom, hope the chassis can put the, power trans, linear power supply, CD-rom all into it.
About the DAC ( NEW coming) I was test the shunt regulator & the two step LT317. This several days I test in three place with Proac response Two, gauss & westlake, TAD etc. Actually the two step 317( LT) will very close to shunt regulator. approx 10% only the shunt regulator will better than thetwo step LT317.
But if I use in the 1541a need 4sets, every set 300ma. It willcost too much money. so still suggest choose two step LT317. It will only cost approx 30 USD more than the standard power supply.
This method will better tha use more filter coil etc to filter the noise. sec improve was my order caps was arrived.
This is almost the best caps & previous will only use in Marklevision or krell products.
Every cap was 40v 470uf. Every DAC need 470X32pcs. bu it really good.
The linear power supply & all coming DAC will better than this non-profit dac but price will little bit expensive. I will try my best to maintain low price.
All coming was fully funish & test already.
Especially was the members which had double crowns on hand. coming full balance dac hey only need the funish board will be OK.
not need the standard 1541a, can save some money.
thx
thomas
ls let me know the result.
If really the asus & the plextor that I choose was the best work with the cd-rom kit. I will prepare a linear , low noise power supply for the cd-rom, hope the chassis can put the, power trans, linear power supply, CD-rom all into it.
About the DAC ( NEW coming) I was test the shunt regulator & the two step LT317. This several days I test in three place with Proac response Two, gauss & westlake, TAD etc. Actually the two step 317( LT) will very close to shunt regulator. approx 10% only the shunt regulator will better than thetwo step LT317.
But if I use in the 1541a need 4sets, every set 300ma. It willcost too much money. so still suggest choose two step LT317. It will only cost approx 30 USD more than the standard power supply.
This method will better tha use more filter coil etc to filter the noise. sec improve was my order caps was arrived.
This is almost the best caps & previous will only use in Marklevision or krell products.
Every cap was 40v 470uf. Every DAC need 470X32pcs. bu it really good.
The linear power supply & all coming DAC will better than this non-profit dac but price will little bit expensive. I will try my best to maintain low price.
All coming was fully funish & test already.
Especially was the members which had double crowns on hand. coming full balance dac hey only need the funish board will be OK.
not need the standard 1541a, can save some money.
thx
thomas
Attachments
Hi Thomas,
I'm sorry to insist but I've wrote you a message on diyaudio and send a mail about my order.
I did not received the cd controller and OPA627BP chips in the parcel 🙁 You don't seem to have controller in stock... Please let me know what we can do about this.
Thank you very much,
Nico
I'm sorry to insist but I've wrote you a message on diyaudio and send a mail about my order.
I did not received the cd controller and OPA627BP chips in the parcel 🙁 You don't seem to have controller in stock... Please let me know what we can do about this.
Thank you very much,
Nico
hi nico,
really, sorry to this mistake.
I will post U back the cd-rom controller with 2 ad797,
pls let me know your address again,
can U send the total order with paid money detail send into my thomas_siu@hotmail.com.
After i versify I will post U back.
hi raikkonen,
don't worry for your order, one of my hong kong friend had one set on hand. I will take his personal set & post to u first.
pls let me know can U paypal to me
carmenh17@yahoo.com.hk
total was USD 27.
thx
thomas
really, sorry to this mistake.
I will post U back the cd-rom controller with 2 ad797,
pls let me know your address again,
can U send the total order with paid money detail send into my thomas_siu@hotmail.com.
After i versify I will post U back.
hi raikkonen,
don't worry for your order, one of my hong kong friend had one set on hand. I will take his personal set & post to u first.
pls let me know can U paypal to me
carmenh17@yahoo.com.hk
total was USD 27.
thx
thomas
Hi Thomas,
I've plugged the DAC tonight, very impressive, thank you for your work !
I send you an email with details you've asked about cd controller.
Thanks for your answer,
Nico
I've plugged the DAC tonight, very impressive, thank you for your work !
I send you an email with details you've asked about cd controller.
Thanks for your answer,
Nico
hi,
within two weeks, ultimate ver.3 will arrive my hand.
total will contain (7) pcb's,all were fully funished & test, can directly plug & play. Will follow with output transformers for real balance output stage.
This is seven PCB.
1. improve low noise power supply with all LM317 & 317, solve the old ( non-profit version U4 too hot problem).
2. DAC board, all the tda1541a, CS8412-IS ( NOT 8414), SAA7220P/B, RE-clock & Op sockets was fit in one PCB, will not use adapter, gurantee better contact more stable, lower noise.
No.3~5 PCB---Signal selection Board. totally contain three PCBs.
First PCB was the source input jackets PCB.
Sec PCB was the source input PCB with individual input, special was the seperate balance input with individul nano-amorphous pulse transformers input. totally had ---RCA, BNC,TTL,Balance input. All input was control by MCU & selection by relay to prevent cross signal. All the relay use NEC parallel relay , made in japan.
Third PCb was the source input indicator PCB ( use LED) can upgarde to LCD display. Use MCU to prevent the click sound of the power supply & selection of the source input.
6- Diyers can choose The CM106L or PCM2906 USB receiver Module for the signal selection board.
7. Parallel (another TDA1541a ) PCB which diyers can choose running in single or parallel mode.
8. Same as the non-profit version whcih can running in three mode which was setting by jumper.
9. Use small (1X1.5X1 inch) pre amp output transformers for the balance output which can setting from 150ohm to 600ohm.
10. The tube buffer PCB also coming..
This is all the contain of the ver.3 ultimate ver. 1541a
Total will only 20sets.
thx
thomas
within two weeks, ultimate ver.3 will arrive my hand.
total will contain (7) pcb's,all were fully funished & test, can directly plug & play. Will follow with output transformers for real balance output stage.
This is seven PCB.
1. improve low noise power supply with all LM317 & 317, solve the old ( non-profit version U4 too hot problem).
2. DAC board, all the tda1541a, CS8412-IS ( NOT 8414), SAA7220P/B, RE-clock & Op sockets was fit in one PCB, will not use adapter, gurantee better contact more stable, lower noise.
No.3~5 PCB---Signal selection Board. totally contain three PCBs.
First PCB was the source input jackets PCB.
Sec PCB was the source input PCB with individual input, special was the seperate balance input with individul nano-amorphous pulse transformers input. totally had ---RCA, BNC,TTL,Balance input. All input was control by MCU & selection by relay to prevent cross signal. All the relay use NEC parallel relay , made in japan.
Third PCb was the source input indicator PCB ( use LED) can upgarde to LCD display. Use MCU to prevent the click sound of the power supply & selection of the source input.
6- Diyers can choose The CM106L or PCM2906 USB receiver Module for the signal selection board.
7. Parallel (another TDA1541a ) PCB which diyers can choose running in single or parallel mode.
8. Same as the non-profit version whcih can running in three mode which was setting by jumper.
9. Use small (1X1.5X1 inch) pre amp output transformers for the balance output which can setting from 150ohm to 600ohm.
10. The tube buffer PCB also coming..
This is all the contain of the ver.3 ultimate ver. 1541a
Total will only 20sets.
thx
thomas
Hi Thomas,
Sorry for taking so much time, but I am very busy at present.
Thank you for the S2 chips, they arrived safely ready for the balanced 1541 dac.
I worked on the non profit version, and I ended up with a 22 ohm 5 watt resistor ahead of U4. That helps and U4 is running cooler now. Of course the 5 watt resistor comes very hot, but that is its job. I put it away from the pcb or other components.
This alows me to work the dac with the interpolation filter, what I could not do before due to the intense heat that I could not dissipate even with a larger heat sink.
I also changed the power transformer and used the one you supplied. It is very good and I like it a lot. However there is no way I can parralel the two primary windings. So I use only one in the primary and it does not heat or drop voltage, even with the full load.
So it is satisfactory as it is.
I finally hooked a scope on the supply. I did not conduct any deep testing for the source of noise that I reported, but:
On the 5 volts supply on the clock module I read 150 m.v. P-P of noise.
On the interpolation filter board (SAA7220), I have 700 m.v. P-P of noise.
I did not check if it spreads elsewhere, I simply beleive it does.
I have too little information on this dac, so I can't assertain if the noise spreads through the 5 volt supply , ground or both.
I just want to bring this situation to your attention so you could suggest simple corrections in order to reduce noise.
I see you have now addressed this problem in your new dac.
In this case I am happy to have been of service.
Jean-Charles
Sorry for taking so much time, but I am very busy at present.
Thank you for the S2 chips, they arrived safely ready for the balanced 1541 dac.
I worked on the non profit version, and I ended up with a 22 ohm 5 watt resistor ahead of U4. That helps and U4 is running cooler now. Of course the 5 watt resistor comes very hot, but that is its job. I put it away from the pcb or other components.
This alows me to work the dac with the interpolation filter, what I could not do before due to the intense heat that I could not dissipate even with a larger heat sink.
I also changed the power transformer and used the one you supplied. It is very good and I like it a lot. However there is no way I can parralel the two primary windings. So I use only one in the primary and it does not heat or drop voltage, even with the full load.
So it is satisfactory as it is.
I finally hooked a scope on the supply. I did not conduct any deep testing for the source of noise that I reported, but:
On the 5 volts supply on the clock module I read 150 m.v. P-P of noise.
On the interpolation filter board (SAA7220), I have 700 m.v. P-P of noise.
I did not check if it spreads elsewhere, I simply beleive it does.
I have too little information on this dac, so I can't assertain if the noise spreads through the 5 volt supply , ground or both.
I just want to bring this situation to your attention so you could suggest simple corrections in order to reduce noise.
I see you have now addressed this problem in your new dac.
In this case I am happy to have been of service.
Jean-Charles
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