cowanrg said:
Thank you, I'm actually going through the hundreds of posts now but I just thought I'd ask to make sure, my modules are currently bolted to a piece of wood until I can get the case sorted so theres plenty of ventillation🙂 the T heatsinks are bolted to 6mm aluminium and they are ok, its just that coil
I made my new UCD400's as left and right monos with vertically positioned modules so one has the coil upwards and the other is downwards. I made a big hole on each thick amp wood base and drilled little holes on top to make a cheminee effect. Guess what, one amp is warm and the other is hot
I didn't had the time to check in wich position is the coil from the hot one. I am DIYing a 6 mm thick heatsink. I guess the higher the PS VDC the hotter they get.
Pardon me, what was this thread about???
We will have to apologize to the thread starter 🙁
Well, I put a DC filter to my UCD amp filter. Not that the 500VA Plitron's hummmed, just a tinny mechanical hum, but I wanted to hear if DC is allways bad.
Now I realize that my opinion is not useful because I have made too many changes: new DIY balanced IC's; UCD amps burning-in; new ALWSR.
The unit is just soldered (I can perceive soldering burning-in; I'm not joking) but the sound is louder, about 2 db (my TVC increases volume 2dB per step) with more bass punch, but is sounding less transparent now
I will have to let the current flow for a while to reevaluate.Regards
M
Hi,
Yeah this thread got hijacked long ago, but it's so good!
"Throwing a lot in the signal path? I thought we were getting rid of noise to ground. Please explain. "
Everything in the signal path will affect the sound...... like the power cord even. As far as noise to ground, that's why we dont' like Y caps. Bruno had mentioned not to use them several times, they pollute the ground by bypassing HF switching noise to it, can make it's way to your source even.
It's normal for the coil to be the warmest component.
Regards,
Chris
Yeah this thread got hijacked long ago, but it's so good!
"Throwing a lot in the signal path? I thought we were getting rid of noise to ground. Please explain. "
Everything in the signal path will affect the sound...... like the power cord even. As far as noise to ground, that's why we dont' like Y caps. Bruno had mentioned not to use them several times, they pollute the ground by bypassing HF switching noise to it, can make it's way to your source even.
It's normal for the coil to be the warmest component.
Regards,
Chris
Well that makes me feel better and I can stop worrying like an old fart😀
Cheers guys!
Yes, sorry to Badman for keep going off topic but its hard, you know what its like with this hobby😉 at least we are not bickering and arguing which does seem to happen a lot on diyaudio
Cheers guys!
Yes, sorry to Badman for keep going off topic but its hard, you know what its like with this hobby😉 at least we are not bickering and arguing which does seem to happen a lot on diyaudio
Hi,
I'm pretty sure Badman is enjoying this thread as much as the rest of us, as we all share the common goal of making it the best we can. The hot rod thread taught us about caps and this seems like part 2.
ALWSR regs, I've found the site, several times, and havent' been able to open the PDF on it so I admit I know little of them. Is it just me that can't open this link? Consequently I know nothing of them.
Regards,
Chris
I'm pretty sure Badman is enjoying this thread as much as the rest of us, as we all share the common goal of making it the best we can. The hot rod thread taught us about caps and this seems like part 2.
ALWSR regs, I've found the site, several times, and havent' been able to open the PDF on it so I admit I know little of them. Is it just me that can't open this link? Consequently I know nothing of them.
Regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Yes, I like these kind of threads, well I'll give anything a try with the UCD's whilst its not fitted in its case, at least its easy to work on🙂
The super regs pdf seems to open ok for me, is this the one you tried? http://www.alw.audio.dsl.pipex.com/Manuals/ALWSR_rev2.9_iss009.pdf
Cheers,
Leo
BTW Happy new year to you all!
Yes, I like these kind of threads, well I'll give anything a try with the UCD's whilst its not fitted in its case, at least its easy to work on🙂
The super regs pdf seems to open ok for me, is this the one you tried? http://www.alw.audio.dsl.pipex.com/Manuals/ALWSR_rev2.9_iss009.pdf
Cheers,
Leo
BTW Happy new year to you all!
Happy new year to you all!
May the Lord bless you and yours with physical health and spiritual growth
I am slowly recovering from last night
I wanted to give a BIG thank you to Jan-Peter, Bruno and Doede D for a wonderful party! 😀 😀
My active system won't distort and also won't produce fatigue even at high SPL.
Dear Chris:
I start to see it. I will get rid of them one by one and let you know.
Talking about esotheric mods, anybody tried Bybee's on signal or ground?
About ALWSR, they sure are GREAT! They act as an electronic microscope on a sample 😎
As I am "overkill man" probably I will end using them everywhere, as t. does 😉
It's only money...
Best wishes...
Mauricio
May the Lord bless you and yours with physical health and spiritual growth
I am slowly recovering from last night
I wanted to give a BIG thank you to Jan-Peter, Bruno and Doede D for a wonderful party! 😀 😀
My active system won't distort and also won't produce fatigue even at high SPL.
Dear Chris:
I start to see it. I will get rid of them one by one and let you know.
Talking about esotheric mods, anybody tried Bybee's on signal or ground?
About ALWSR, they sure are GREAT! They act as an electronic microscope on a sample 😎
As I am "overkill man" probably I will end using them everywhere, as t. does 😉
It's only money...
Best wishes...
Mauricio
Sounds like you had a good night Mauricio
I've never tried those Bybee's, they look expensive but what exactly are they
Another thing I'd like to try is build a couple of boards based on the UCD's input stage but use a dip socket so it allows for easy changing of the op-amps, I have to be honest I don't think I can stick with the AD8620, the SST511's has got to have a fairly big effect especially on the mids
I've never tried those Bybee's, they look expensive but what exactly are they
Another thing I'd like to try is build a couple of boards based on the UCD's input stage but use a dip socket so it allows for easy changing of the op-amps, I have to be honest I don't think I can stick with the AD8620, the SST511's has got to have a fairly big effect especially on the mids
Hi t.:
At 39, my "recovery time" is still decent but is not what it used to be!😀
Bybee's, if I'm allowed to mention them here, are...errr..."quantum noise purifiers" or something like that. They do work (they do something). There was a time when I had many in my system as its effect is additive, giving more insight to the music, but then I concluded that the effect was not good for my system at that time: they provide a clearer, more detailed, fast and extended sound but at the expense of a leaner, lighter sound, wich was just the week point that I wanted to cure. The small "slipstreams" for low current application are great IMO.
I still think that, in the right system, the expensive Bybee's could be wonderful. I still use large Bybee's on my 15'' woofer's speaker cable. They provide more control to these beasts 😉
http://www.bybeetech.com/
Sorry, what PS caps do you have? Both in the PS and modules...
If I were you (and I plan to do it myself as I don't like Panasonic FC) I'll try to find some suitable Elna (not silmic wich Bruno hates) to replace on board PS caps, at least. In my limited experience Elna provide that colourful, warm, organic tone that SS gear lacks. They may be less detailed but, hey! we are talking about musical satisfaction here, and UCD's are already very detailed.
In other words, UCD (and everything) are dependent on PS caps quality and one can "fine tune" the sound this way, as you may know...
Good luck.
Mauricio
At 39, my "recovery time" is still decent but is not what it used to be!😀
Bybee's, if I'm allowed to mention them here, are...errr..."quantum noise purifiers" or something like that. They do work (they do something). There was a time when I had many in my system as its effect is additive, giving more insight to the music, but then I concluded that the effect was not good for my system at that time: they provide a clearer, more detailed, fast and extended sound but at the expense of a leaner, lighter sound, wich was just the week point that I wanted to cure. The small "slipstreams" for low current application are great IMO.
I still think that, in the right system, the expensive Bybee's could be wonderful. I still use large Bybee's on my 15'' woofer's speaker cable. They provide more control to these beasts 😉
http://www.bybeetech.com/
Sorry, what PS caps do you have? Both in the PS and modules...
If I were you (and I plan to do it myself as I don't like Panasonic FC) I'll try to find some suitable Elna (not silmic wich Bruno hates) to replace on board PS caps, at least. In my limited experience Elna provide that colourful, warm, organic tone that SS gear lacks. They may be less detailed but, hey! we are talking about musical satisfaction here, and UCD's are already very detailed.
In other words, UCD (and everything) are dependent on PS caps quality and one can "fine tune" the sound this way, as you may know...
Good luck.
Mauricio
Hi Mauricio,
Well your only 11 years infront of me but my recovery time is probably still longer than most depending what beverage I've had😀
Thank you for the Bybee link, I'd still like an idea how these things are made, not to try and copy them but just mainly out of interest
Ok, heres all my set up details
2 x Holden and Fisher toroidals with 2 x 0-30 600vA on each
2 x psu boards using a pair of full bridges (8 x MBR10100) on each board
2 x 6800uf 63v BHC Aerovox ALP20 caps on each +/- rail (4 x 6800uf) on each psu board
Bypassed the coupling caps
All other caps on the UCD180 is currently standard
The NE5532 sounded neautral but slightly bright, since fitting the AD8620 its like totally changed certainly the mids, maybe I just don't like the signature of this op-amp😕 I've used AD8620 before in I/V and output stages and never really liked them but was hoping it would be different used in these modules
Regarding capacitors I don't like Panasonic FC and really hate both Elna Silmic and Silmic2, these always add a sonic signature I don't like
Ideally I like a sound that does not have to much added colouration, I just find the mids artificial, its hard to explain but its like the sound is now constricted, I guess I'm just a picky git
Cheers!
Well your only 11 years infront of me but my recovery time is probably still longer than most depending what beverage I've had😀
Thank you for the Bybee link, I'd still like an idea how these things are made, not to try and copy them but just mainly out of interest
Ok, heres all my set up details
2 x Holden and Fisher toroidals with 2 x 0-30 600vA on each
2 x psu boards using a pair of full bridges (8 x MBR10100) on each board
2 x 6800uf 63v BHC Aerovox ALP20 caps on each +/- rail (4 x 6800uf) on each psu board
Bypassed the coupling caps
All other caps on the UCD180 is currently standard
The NE5532 sounded neautral but slightly bright, since fitting the AD8620 its like totally changed certainly the mids, maybe I just don't like the signature of this op-amp😕 I've used AD8620 before in I/V and output stages and never really liked them but was hoping it would be different used in these modules
Regarding capacitors I don't like Panasonic FC and really hate both Elna Silmic and Silmic2, these always add a sonic signature I don't like
Ideally I like a sound that does not have to much added colouration, I just find the mids artificial, its hard to explain but its like the sound is now constricted, I guess I'm just a picky git
Cheers!
Dear t.:
I doubt anybody could copy the Bybee's. First version were said to be copper or silver conductor envelloped in ceramic material wich contained rare metals. Now they claim that the slipstream uses "carbon fiber nanotubes''. Who knows.
If you wanna try them goto: http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=Slipstream
Or search at audiogon for used ones...
Well, about sonic quality, this is such a personal matter. Personally I preferre a tunable/tweakable source and a transparent/flat amp. Maybe if you improve change your source you will tolerate or even love the AD chip 😉 as faster, cleaner sounding devices let the flaws of upstream components show better.
I say this because I use also BHC ALS (40) PS caps and liked the sound of the UCDST, so no aditional info here, safe saying that you probably won't like Sikorel's in your present setup because they are rule flat and transparent IMHO.
If I can find 63V or more Rubicon ZL, my favorite medium sized cap, I will try Elna Starget to use as module's PS caps.
Play with wires also 😉
Why don't you take a look at this promising new DAC from Doede. I've been waiting him for so loong...
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=70883
http://www.dddac.de/
click the DDDAC1543 MKII link 😉
Regards
M
I doubt anybody could copy the Bybee's. First version were said to be copper or silver conductor envelloped in ceramic material wich contained rare metals. Now they claim that the slipstream uses "carbon fiber nanotubes''. Who knows.
If you wanna try them goto: http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=Slipstream
Or search at audiogon for used ones...
Well, about sonic quality, this is such a personal matter. Personally I preferre a tunable/tweakable source and a transparent/flat amp. Maybe if you improve change your source you will tolerate or even love the AD chip 😉 as faster, cleaner sounding devices let the flaws of upstream components show better.
I say this because I use also BHC ALS (40) PS caps and liked the sound of the UCDST, so no aditional info here, safe saying that you probably won't like Sikorel's in your present setup because they are rule flat and transparent IMHO.
If I can find 63V or more Rubicon ZL, my favorite medium sized cap, I will try Elna Starget to use as module's PS caps.
Play with wires also 😉
Why don't you take a look at this promising new DAC from Doede. I've been waiting him for so loong...
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=70883
http://www.dddac.de/
click the DDDAC1543 MKII link 😉
Regards
M
maxlorenz said:Dear t.:
I doubt anybody could copy the Bybee's. First version were said to be copper or silver conductor envelloped in ceramic material wich contained rare metals. Now they claim that the slipstream uses "carbon fiber nanotubes''. Who knows.
If you wanna try them goto: http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=Slipstream
Or search at audiogon for used ones...
Well, about sonic quality, this is such a personal matter. Personally I preferre a tunable/tweakable source and a transparent/flat amp. Maybe if you improve change your source you will tolerate or even love the AD chip 😉 as faster, cleaner sounding devices let the flaws of upstream components show better.
I say this because I use also BHC ALS (40) PS caps and liked the sound of the UCDST, so no aditional info here, safe saying that you probably won't like Sikorel's in your present setup because they are rule flat and transparent IMHO.
If I can find 63V or more Rubicon ZL, my favorite medium sized cap, I will try Elna Starget to use as module's PS caps.
Play with wires also 😉
Why don't you take a look at this promising new DAC from Doede. I've been waiting him for so loong...
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=70883
http://www.dddac.de/
click the DDDAC1543 MKII link 😉
Regards
M
Hi Mauricio
Thank you for the tweekgeek site, I'll check it out now
I like the Rubycon ZA and ZL low esr caps, the Elna Stargets are good too in some applications, I have the ZA's and Stargets in the Super regs (Stargets on the output because of its normal ESR compared to ZA)
The highest voltage ZL's I could find are 50v
So you like the NOS multibit too😉 I currently have three dacs, my favourite is Pedja's Synchronous reclocked NOS dac, here is a picture of mine with double crown TDA1541(scroll down to Leo Kirkbride) my nickname is Ron http://users.verat.net/~pedjarogic/audio/tda1541a_dac/tda1541a_dac_rev_gallery.htm
I also have 2 x diy TDA1543 NOS dacs both use a single chip (I prefer a single dac rather than stacked) both of these use passive I/V, one is Reclocked the other isn't, both are fairly different regarding I/V value, dac voltage etc but they do sound nice
Thank you for Doede's link, I'll have a look🙂
I mainly wanted an amp that would let me hear the dacs more rather than the amp, all three of my dacs have a nice natural midband but since adding the AD8620 it seems to have added a layer of mud to it, I thought maybe this op-amp would be better with a thin bright source😕
ATB!
Leo
t. said:Hi Mauricio,
Well your only 11 years infront of me but my recovery time is probably still longer than most depending what beverage I've had😀
Thank you for the Bybee link, I'd still like an idea how these things are made, not to try and copy them but just mainly out of interest
Ok, heres all my set up details
2 x Holden and Fisher toroidals with 2 x 0-30 600vA on each
2 x psu boards using a pair of full bridges (8 x MBR10100) on each board
2 x 6800uf 63v BHC Aerovox ALP20 caps on each +/- rail (4 x 6800uf) on each psu board
Bypassed the coupling caps
All other caps on the UCD180 is currently standard
The NE5532 sounded neautral but slightly bright, since fitting the AD8620 its like totally changed certainly the mids, maybe I just don't like the signature of this op-amp😕 I've used AD8620 before in I/V and output stages and never really liked them but was hoping it would be different used in these modules
Regarding capacitors I don't like Panasonic FC and really hate both Elna Silmic and Silmic2, these always add a sonic signature I don't like
Ideally I like a sound that does not have to much added colouration, I just find the mids artificial, its hard to explain but its like the sound is now constricted, I guess I'm just a picky git
Cheers!
Hi
you may try AD826 ( biased at 3mA for example)
i don't like the AD8620 signature too and i've never find better than 826, maybe because of its bipolar tr input stage ( just be careful with a little DC offset , 100mV at the UCD output in my case )
i use it with its own PSU ( CRCRC , the last C is a single 22uF Silmic2 )
I'm very happy with the result
Alain
Bonjour Alain! 😀
Nice to hear you.
You are one of the most qualified forum mates, IMO, to talk about separate opamp PS and comptent our thread starter. 😉
So you did battery and Tx based supplies? Please extend on the matter
I'm still stiked to a pair of Sikorel, without C or L, on my UCD400 monos. No time
As for the CLC way, could I use a RL with my non-resistive ferrites? In such case wich R type is better?
I've built two DDDAC1543 (one for a friend) and they are foolproof (that would be me 😉 ) . Mine is 16*DAC. I love it.
It mates very well UCD amp with a "vintage sound", very dynamic.
My other DAC is a M-audio superDAC with AK4393 wich has balanced V outputs and is easily tweakable:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/M-Audio_SuperDAC_2496/
I go balanced though a balanced TVC for a "pro" way. It is the most detailed source I've ever heard, using a Monarchy Audio DIP upsampler. If I new how to build PCB's I'll cloned it. Well, part of it to mod it. 😎
Best wishes.
Mauricio
Nice to hear you.
You are one of the most qualified forum mates, IMO, to talk about separate opamp PS and comptent our thread starter. 😉
So you did battery and Tx based supplies? Please extend on the matter
I'm still stiked to a pair of Sikorel, without C or L, on my UCD400 monos. No time
As for the CLC way, could I use a RL with my non-resistive ferrites? In such case wich R type is better?
I've built two DDDAC1543 (one for a friend) and they are foolproof (that would be me 😉 ) . Mine is 16*DAC. I love it.
It mates very well UCD amp with a "vintage sound", very dynamic.
My other DAC is a M-audio superDAC with AK4393 wich has balanced V outputs and is easily tweakable:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/M-Audio_SuperDAC_2496/
I go balanced though a balanced TVC for a "pro" way. It is the most detailed source I've ever heard, using a Monarchy Audio DIP upsampler. If I new how to build PCB's I'll cloned it. Well, part of it to mod it. 😎
Best wishes.
Mauricio
maxlorenz said:
Hi Mauricio,
yes but there are different sorts of ferrite,and to avoid saturation, it's safe to use aircore shoke
Alain
rha61 said:
Thank you Alain!
I actually have a pair of smd AD826AR spare, I'm tempted to try them, I've also never tried this op-amp in anything yet, 100mv seems a bit high though, I know under 150mV is considered safe.
I think AD826 is folded cascode so maybe thats why it sounds good.
Did you change the input impedance to around 10k?
Also was there a big difference with the separate psu's?
Sorry if you've already answered these questions before🙂
Cheers,
Leo
I also notice that you use Pi filtering Alain🙂 My Avondale NCC200 amps psu uses 5600uf choke 5600uf choke 5600uf on each rail
Because I use 2 x 6800uf ALP20's on each of my UCD180's rails I could possibly try it with the UCD's too
Because I use 2 x 6800uf ALP20's on each of my UCD180's rails I could possibly try it with the UCD's too
why not bypass the op amp and see if it's that which you really dislike before departing on a witchunt.
classd4sure said:
Yes, thats a good idea but it would be nice if I could try any other ideas first just incase, I've a feeling once some heat gets on the AD8620 pins whilst removing it will certainly get damaged for sure
If I had some photo boards handy I could just get the copied UCD input stage etched with dip sockets to allow for easy changing
I just find it strange that there only seems to be me and maybe Alain that dislikes the AD8620, thats why I wondered if this may be caused by something else, if the CRDs, psu caps or whatever does not help it will put my mind at rest
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