OPT's For ANK 2.1B DAC

Jump to Latest
G

galyons

Member
Joined 2009
#1
I built an Audionote Kits 2.1B DAC a few years ago. It is a NOS DAC with CS8412 receiver chip and AD1865 DAC chip. I am still enjoying the DAC, but was thinking about trying to convert the cap output to transformer. I understand that ANK has upgraded models available, but they are now different tube audio board designs. Mine is 6922 based.

This is definitely not my area of expertise. Has anyone done this? If, so, suggestions on an appropriate OPT's? Any changes required to the 6922 output circuit?

Cheers,
Geary
 
#2
Worthwhile OPT substitutes are expensive. I think you would get better bang for your buck by upgrading the coupling caps, e.g., Duelund tin and copper. I had good results replacing the CS8412 in my Audio Note with a CS8415A which gave me sample rates up to 192K. I also doubled the AD1865.
 
#3
Thanks Tam!

Tam Lin said:
Worthwhile OPT substitutes are expensive. I think you would get better bang for your buck by upgrading the coupling caps, e.g., Duelund tin and copper.
Click to expand...

I built the DAC with Dueland Cast Copper caps. Not sure that the tin and copper would be a significant improvement.

Tam Lin said:
I had good results replacing the CS8412 in my Audio Note with a CS8415A which gave me sample rates up to 192K. I also doubled the AD1865.
Click to expand...

Is the CS8415 an exact pin compatible drop in for the CS8412? I got a message that the receiver might actually be a CS8414, I will need to open the unit and verify. How does one double up the AD1865?

Thanks for the response!

Cheers,
Geary
 
#5
galyons said:
Is the CS8415 an exact pin compatible drop in for the CS8412? I got a message that the receiver might actually be a CS8414, I will need to open the unit and verify. How does one double up the AD1865?
Geary
Click to expand...

The CS8415A is not pin compatible; it requires an adapter board.

Doubling the AD1865 piggy-backs one chip on top of the other, except pins 2,3,7,8,16,17,18,22, & 23 on the upper chip are not connected. Doubling the chips increases the S/N 3dB and allows you to reduce the I/V resistance, which is supposed to be a good thing.
 
#6
Have had many turns with these dacs. The original 6922 tube circuit is not extremely good. Had better results with 12au7 circuit and preferably 5687.. I also removed the interstage transformers which helped some on the dynamics.
 
#7
jean-paul said:
A better SPDIF receiver than the Crystal types seems more worthwhile. This would involve a small adapter PCB.

Example:

WM8804 to CS8412 converter board for D1V3 & D1V33 new upgrade << FET Audio | Hi-End Audio Projects
Click to expand...


Thanks Jean-Paul,
I looked at the referenced article. It appears that there needs to be several other pin changes, in concert with the adapter board. I could not find any reference to applicability specifically to the AD1865. If it was a "plug and play" application I would likely do. But I am not knowledgeable about the DAC board components and would rather not start re-configuring other device pins.

Cheers,
Geary
 
#8
bambadoo said:
Have had many turns with these dacs. The original 6922 tube circuit is not extremely good. Had better results with 12au7 circuit and preferably 5687.. I also removed the interstage transformers which helped some on the dynamics.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bambado,
Interesting observation. I guess it is a matter of taste. The 12AU7 is likely my least favorite, commonly used, small signal tube. I consistently change them out for 6SN7/7N7's or if space is a concern 6CG7's. Getting the 12AU7's out of the signal path has always, to me, yielded improved sonics. (especially detail and timbre)

The ANK4.1 analog board is 5687 based. Would be interesting to hear the difference. Might look at trying to buy the boards to try.

Cheers,
Geary
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom