Pimp my DAC - new caps

[chermann]

Hi

I have the Teac UD-301 DAC and i am quite happy with this.
For better sound i want to change the caps:

inside is actually (in the internet you get some nice pics)

at the main board
about 60 pcs Suncon 100µF 25V (green Gold) 105°
about 15 pcs KMG 100µF 25V (dark red) 105°

directly after the transformer
Jamicon 4700µF/25V SK 85° (black)
2x KMG 4700µF/35V 105° (dark red)

Are the (Sanyo) Suncon caps fine, i get nearly nothing from forums about the quality ....good?
I have good sound quality for Muse from nichicon.(KZ and KW) and i have it on stock)

What do you think?

kr
Chris

 

[DF96]

I think changing the caps will almost certainly make no difference to the sound. It may make a difference to your perception of the sound.

 

[basi]

These KMG are United Chemi-Con and they are very good(KMG Series - United Chemi-Con - General Purpose | Online Catalog | DigiKey Electronics) at least for power supply.If you track analog signal line and change caps on that with Elna silmic or Nicichon muse es that would be change.Other caps on power supply and other regulating stuff leave it alone,it is good as it is.

 

[chermann]

Hi

i changed my caps (i mustdo it for my 25 years old Accuphase C200V Preamp) and it was very good that i did this. its not just in my mind - you can reproduce that change if the other components are the same (other preamp) and other listeners are agree to this change.
nevertheless
i changed all caps with Elna RFS and nichicon series(not all muse series, KA, KW),yes for power supply it is not needed. you are right.

Any objection to the Suncon(Sanyo) and Jamicon??


Thanks for your imput

chris

 

[phase]

Something I would try is to carefully place a sheet metal shield around the transformer.

 

[50AE]

I highly recommend Epcos/Siemens capacitors LL and Sikorel series. Sometimes they can be found for very cheap. Excellent sounding capacitors.

 

[chermann]

Something I would try is to carefully place a sheet metal shield around the transformer.

Hi phase

thx for that ...but its done...

next step is to portect the usb Board with a shield housing (i use a steel housing for HF tuners...just 3 Euro..)

bye
chris

 

[chermann]

I highly recommend Epcos/Siemens capacitors LL and Sikorel series. Sometimes they can be found for very cheap. Excellent sounding capacitors.

Hi 50AE

thanks for that info. i will check this caps.
any hint where you get this? A serious source is for me? mouser......with Fedex is expensive but in 3 day on my desk!

chris

 

[chermann]

next steps

1. HF housing for the usb board (also done in the marantz PM 6006)
2. filter AC side
3. caps change (actually i have all the needed nichicon muse...)

bye from Vienna

chris

 

[chermann]

...Admin ...please can you move....

Hi Admin

pleas can you move this thread to DAC (digital line level)?
the project gets bigger and bigger

thx
chris

 

[basi]

Hi phase

thx for that ...but its done...

next step is to portect the usb Board with a shield housing (i use a steel housing for HF tuners...just 3 Euro..)

bye
chris

Thats nice idea but remember u must connect every conductive part to chasis like those shield housings.

 

[ticknpop]

I change Jamicon Caps to 105 C Panasonic or Nichicon

 

[chermann]

I change Jamicon Caps to 105 C Panasonic or Nichicon

....and better....ok after 50 - 100hours all new caps geting better..
are you happy with nichicons?

 

[chermann]

Thats nice idea but remember u must connect every conductive part to chasis like those shield housings.

Hi Basi

Yes i know, the only change to get a good shielded housing is to screw it at the same mounting angle where the usb board is connected to the rear plate.(its on the rear panel where the usb and spdif is mounted.

i made a check after this copper foil session to my reference - DAC Mytek Brooklyn.
the Teac is comming nearer and nearer.
i really like the sound of the BB 1795.
I also testetd the Aune S16 with the AK4495 -its amazing!!!!!!- sounds better than the brooklyn.

Do you think i have to ground the copper foil of the cables too?


bye
chris

 

[basi]

Hi Basi

Yes i know, the only change to get a good shielded housing is to screw it at the same mounting angle where the usb board is connected to the rear plate.(its on the rear panel where the usb and spdif is mounted.

i made a check after this copper foil session to my reference - DAC Mytek Brooklyn.
the Teac is comming nearer and nearer.
i really like the sound of the BB 1795.
I also testetd the Aune S16 with the AK4495 -its amazing!!!!!!- sounds better than the brooklyn.

Do you think i have to ground the copper foil of the cables too?


bye
chris

Yes of course.if interference rf or whatever came in that shield there must be a way where this interference must go and that way is ground or chasis.

 

[chermann]

any experience with the total amoutn of hours?

Hi

next question. its generally about the hours of a cap.

If you use during the work week your DAC and Preamps etc in the evening for e.g. 2 hours and on the weekend more than lets say after 6 month you have:
per week 14 hours in operation * 30*6 = 2520hours

Have anybody experience about some ESR measurements or sound changes if the totat amount of hours of the caps are going more than e.g. 2000hours or 10000hours????

its clear. if a dielectricum is comming out of the cap--> than its over with the cap

thanks
chris

 

[phase]

With electrolytic capacitors, I haven't been able to notice any change after 160 hours in low powered circuits like preamps, DACs.
This is using a frequency analyzer and pink noise.

 

[chermann]

...sorry...dont mix two topics

Hi to all

sorry it is maybe too confusing

1. is my project "pimp my DAC -Teac ud301
2. generally discussion about the caps and the lifetime

ad 1
yes the actually caps are partly fine (Jamicon i should change in the first step)
and all other thinks it will come - step by step


ad 2
every manufactor give you a datasheet with his "warranty" that the cap is under special condition like its written. ok clear.
but if i look at the lifetime - the hours - than i have to think about the device running time. ok?
so my question:
if you use your device (DAC, preamp, "no DAC") for some month, eg. 12-18 month, and you are enjoying your music - Has somebody make some tests about new caps and existing (old) caps ?

 

[chermann]

...update...its not easy

hi

the next step is the housing of the USB board. Its not easy. nothing is fitting....
My idea to fix it on the rear panel is obsulete becuase the connectors on the pcb are too big and have to be closed to the rear panel. otherwise i cannot plug in.


so its ongoing...

 

[phase]

I like the build, looks almost like a satellite more than diy audio. My projects sometimes wind up looking like spare parts spilled onto a circuit board.
+1 for the Sikorel, Mundorf are also great for dac, pre amp filter caps.