I totally agree, but all the reviews of Chris' work modifying the jolida line, and still being under warranty after his work, convinced me he is the man. I feel lucky I found underwood wally on audiogon, who uses Chris alot, the king of using cheaper machines and buffing them up (still under warranty) with smart mods. and If it wasn't for those reviews, I would have never thought to buy a cheaper machine and just have someone smart buff it up. Much better way to go, which is why I found this thread. Even though I don't understand much, I love reading about mods.
A DAC-1 driving an active PMC is a sure bet for truthful monitoring. You have a sensible plan. I don't know if the sound is going to be expansive too, but precise it will be.
Finally ordered caps...went with Sonicap Platinum .1uf for the digital input and Sonicap 3.3ufs bypassed with .1uf Platinums. Little Christmas present for myself. Then get these to my guy who is doing the solder slinging...I'm not too confident with SMD and surface mount boards. We are doing everything but the opamp and regulator swap.
Was still torn between the Black Gates and the film caps...rolled the dice on the film caps right now.
I have the BB 2107s, but when/if I do opamps, probably will be the AD 8599s.
Oh, and special thanks to Danny at GR Research for the advice on the caps.
Was still torn between the Black Gates and the film caps...rolled the dice on the film caps right now.
I have the BB 2107s, but when/if I do opamps, probably will be the AD 8599s.
Oh, and special thanks to Danny at GR Research for the advice on the caps.
The stock caps are a real compromise. It really unlocks with good films. Here is where 'upgrade' ends. After that, 'modification' starts.
I didn't do a lot of listening at each individual step becuase I was dealing with a sinus infection and long term listening was sometimes painful. But the end result was very nice, especially on BNC. I didn't want to send it back.
Maybe can get some films and try them out later...but I'm hard pressed that this DAC could get much better.
Hi Salas,
I have a Benchmark DAC1 USB (purchased a few months ago).
I'm thinking of doing a little mod. Is a 2uF Auricap still the best recommendation for changing the bypass cap? I doubted that changing opamps or power supply caps will have as big of an impact as your change.
I'm attaching the internals of the DAC1 USB.
PS - I found that this little DAC is very sensitive to the powercord. I tried 5 different cords and get 5 different results! Could the power supply section be the weak link to cause this sensitivity to the powercord??
Kuro
I have a Benchmark DAC1 USB (purchased a few months ago).
I'm thinking of doing a little mod. Is a 2uF Auricap still the best recommendation for changing the bypass cap? I doubted that changing opamps or power supply caps will have as big of an impact as your change.
I'm attaching the internals of the DAC1 USB.
PS - I found that this little DAC is very sensitive to the powercord. I tried 5 different cords and get 5 different results! Could the power supply section be the weak link to cause this sensitivity to the powercord??
Kuro
Given its sonic traits and successful marriage I would still recommend the same cap type. I don't see a photo with your post. If there was space I would use more uF.
It has an excellent layout that helps the very strong power supply rejection. Maybe because its so silent you hear more. I would not modify the psu unit, it becomes a new thing. I would just find the best wires combination.
It has an excellent layout that helps the very strong power supply rejection. Maybe because its so silent you hear more. I would not modify the psu unit, it becomes a new thing. I would just find the best wires combination.
Hi Salas,
Thanks for the fast reply.
I'm uploading the internal pic again, as the first one I uploaded is probably too large and the server rejected.
Can you detail the steps on which caps to remove and the solder points? I gathered they are the caps near the headphone jacks?
Where do I find 2uF or larger Auricaps?
I'm using the original Aural Symphonics AS-One interconnect (unbalanced). It sounds great. The problem now it seems is the AC powercord, this unit is very sensitive to various cords.
With the latest powercord I tried (Vovox powercord, Swiss made, it was borrowed from a friend who owns a Hi-Fi store 🙂), the highs are exceptionally clear, in fact, I found this a bit too much since my speakers are Elacs, they have ribbon tweeters.
Kuro
Thanks for the fast reply.
I'm uploading the internal pic again, as the first one I uploaded is probably too large and the server rejected.
Can you detail the steps on which caps to remove and the solder points? I gathered they are the caps near the headphone jacks?
Where do I find 2uF or larger Auricaps?
I'm using the original Aural Symphonics AS-One interconnect (unbalanced). It sounds great. The problem now it seems is the AC powercord, this unit is very sensitive to various cords.
With the latest powercord I tried (Vovox powercord, Swiss made, it was borrowed from a friend who owns a Hi-Fi store 🙂), the highs are exceptionally clear, in fact, I found this a bit too much since my speakers are Elacs, they have ribbon tweeters.
Kuro
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Look at page 5 of the thread, I have detailed pictures there. Yes these are the caps to remove. 1000uF ones next to the headphone jacks.
Google for Auricap vendors.
Mate your power cable after you substitute the capacitors, because the harshness will go and the mating will be different.
Google for Auricap vendors.
Mate your power cable after you substitute the capacitors, because the harshness will go and the mating will be different.
So I need to remove 4 caps and replace them with Auricap, 2uF 200V each?
As for coax digital input, would you recommend Sonic Plantium as well?
As for coax digital input, would you recommend Sonic Plantium as well?
There are 6 caps missing in the pictures. 2 smd lytics an 4 smd ceramic bypasses.
As for cable recommendations, this is a highly contentious and system dependent area. I can't make recommendations off hand. Such easy recommendations is what dealers do and get rich by selling and trading in.
Only thing I can surely tell is that in my system I use Stereovox XV2 budget digi coax and I am happy with it.
As for cable recommendations, this is a highly contentious and system dependent area. I can't make recommendations off hand. Such easy recommendations is what dealers do and get rich by selling and trading in.
Only thing I can surely tell is that in my system I use Stereovox XV2 budget digi coax and I am happy with it.
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