|
|
Post by Mr Whippy on Dec 31, 2023 12:54:15 GMT
Found your next DAC, John:
I think it'll be my route for a DAC.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Dec 31, 2023 13:03:57 GMT
It certainly looks a interesting build
In time I was planning to get a Rockna Wavelight, but I would love to hear one, before any commitments.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 2, 2024 0:11:40 GMT
It certainly looks a interesting build In time I was planning to get a Rockna Wavelight, but I would love to hear one, before any commitments. Sent for the DAC bundle (£94). The 4 copper in oil capacitors (2 x 2.7uF, 2 x 0.47uF) are the most expensive items. £456 from HiFi Collective!! Less expensive from Poland where they're made, £327. They are well regarded. Have the transformers and a case so it will be a lot less than the €1200 mentioned. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 2, 2024 5:29:15 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 2, 2024 6:00:13 GMT
I be interested in reading your build Mr Whippy
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 2, 2024 6:05:23 GMT
I love a what of open baffles do it just I started to miss the mid bass punch.
|
|
|
|
New DACs
Jan 2, 2024 6:16:38 GMT
via mobile
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 2, 2024 6:16:38 GMT
I suppose I am, Martin! Long, long before he became famous, I used to follow Mr Lampizator. When he switched from cd to streaming however, I lost interest. As such, I'd never heard of The Lampucera until it was mentioned in the video. I should Google it. This is the bundle I got: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186231314947It appears to be the first iteration. There's another version using the PCM1798 DAC: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364319852498There's also this board using the ES9038Q with a I2S input provision and filters: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403530411882I can't really see myself going for the Miflex capacitors, even at £327. Probably modest Russian types: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275265209582These are aluminium foil type instead of copper. But, if it's a one only time effort, maybe I should consider the Miflex. |
|
|
|
New DACs
Jan 2, 2024 6:48:27 GMT
via mobile
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 2, 2024 6:48:27 GMT
Googled The Lampucera. Thought it was from his streaming exploration, but it's from his cd evaluation period. Somehow I missed it.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 2, 2024 6:55:23 GMT
I like that he describes it as having greater width and depth than the R26 "even though this is a delta-sigma DAC".
Didn't I say it's all about implementation?
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 2, 2024 7:34:47 GMT
Well, yes. Decades ago Ken Ishiwata did a breakdown of how the various stages in a cd player combined to give a 100 percent figure for sound quality. For the DAC I think he gave a figure of 26% for it's contribution to the overall sound, which I must admit, did surprise me at the time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 2, 2024 7:51:32 GMT
Three things I'd like to try would be a valve for each channel rather than just the one for both. Decoupling them from the chassis on rubber mounts. Chokes in the power supplies. Decades ago Musical Fidelity introduced choke regulated power supplies in their power amps. Common place in valve designs, but unique for transistor ones.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 2, 2024 8:56:54 GMT
Chokes in the power supplies. Decades ago Musical Fidelity introduced choke regulated power supplies in their power amps. Common place in valve designs, but unique for transistor ones. The two Uptone JS-2 power supplies I am now using are choke regulated and are largely responsible for the uplift in sound quality. |
|
|
|
Post by palace on Jan 2, 2024 10:31:19 GMT
I suppose I am, Martin! Long, long before he became famous, I used to follow Mr Lampizator. When he switched from cd to streaming however, I lost interest. As such, I'd never heard of The Lampucera until it was mentioned in the video. I should Google it. This is the bundle I got: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186231314947It appears to be the first iteration. There's another version using the PCM1798 DAC: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364319852498There's also this board using the ES9038Q with a I2S input provision and filters: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403530411882I can't really see myself going for the Miflex capacitors, even at £327. Probably modest Russian types: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275265209582These are aluminium foil type instead of copper. But, if it's a one only time effort, maybe I should consider the Miflex. Many years ago after listening to it in my then system still using OTA Quad 57's, I bought from a member of another forum a Muse Mini Dac TDA1543 X 4 NOS Optical input from the TV & Coaxial input from CD player. The Muse had been modified as shown on a long thread on Head Fi. the output caps were removed then the PCB holes were bridged it also had the small bypass capacitors removed. After the initial honeymoon period I noticed the Muse could sound a little harsh at times, I read further pages on the same Head Fi thread about using fleabay sourced Russian PIO 5% capacitors OKBG-MH 1.0uF 600V @ £1.50 each( they must have cost a fortune to make), they were/are enormous. My then still a tech college student son soldered them onto the circuit board using cat 5/6 cable as the P10's were each nearly half the size of the Muse DAC & had to be external. Surprisingly in my system these Russian Caps are better than NO Caps. The bass became full and articulate , mids lush? Treble airy and sweet no hint of grain... A few weeks later Mark Manwaring-White had business in London & paid me a short visit, I played Mark some CD's he suggested I bypassed the P10 caps on the Muse DAC with 5000- 10000 pf silver mica caps. I thought for £3 and 5 minutes work ok. The pair of 5420 pf 350v 2% Russian silver mica caps arrived, I by-passed the P10's there was still the smooth but much more detailed shimmering treble with natural ambiance, bass deeper & better defined, mid's & treble more natural. With most of those Russian capacitors the sound quality is significantly above their price point. As for the Audyn Reference capacitors shown, in 2015/16 I noticed on changing the 4 x KT120 tubes on my Rogue Atlas Magnum amp pre-owned (second hand) the valve driver stage capacitors were looking overheated & tired to say the least. I made the 120 plus mile journey to Malvern where Mark replaced the existing caps with Audyn Reference capacitors which apparently do not need bypassing, oh and 1% Mills resistors, The result was astounding even allowing for the tired caps & valves the step up to the Audyn Reference was very significant over the next few weeks the sound improved even more. See the write up below easier than on the YouTube video. www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html |
|
|
|
Post by jeanlouisfr on Jan 19, 2024 20:46:19 GMT
Hello. I too was intrigued by this video on the Lampicera DIY DAC. But I'm not skilled enough to carry out such a project. So I wondered about a commercial alternative that could be an approach to the Lampicera, while remaining financially accessible. I finally chose the DAC proposed by Musical Paradise. Of course, there are differences, such as the Sabre ES9039MSPRO chipset. But the similarities are very real, such as a strong, separate power supply for the digital and analogue parts, an output stage made up entirely of tubes with no feedback or integrated circuits and, finally, the possibility of changing the output capacitors very simply and without soldering. Voici ce DAC :     For the output capacitors, I ordered 2.2 uF Miflex cooper and 0.01 uF Duelund By Pass capacitors, inspired by the Lampucera DAC video. The tubes will be Linlai E-6SN7 ELITE. Here's the manufacturer's website for those of us who don't know this brand Musical ParadiseTo keep prices as low as possible while maintaining the very highest quality of components and design, they are assembled and shipped directly from China, as are all the brand's devices. Garry, the designer, is based in Canada and refines his products year after year. This DAC is new, and this time he has chosen to do away with the rectifier tubes in favour of semi-conductor diodes. It's a conscious and deliberate choice. The DAC has been ordered but it will take a little time for delivery and I'm planning to run it in for at least a week. Have a great weekend PS. A video on the old DAC model, from which the new MP-DX DAC has evolved : |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 19, 2024 22:57:35 GMT
Perhaps it's just me, but I don't really see the point of putting valves (tubes) in a DAC.
Probably a couple of million or more semiconductor junctions in there, and four valves.
|
|
|
|
New DACs
Jan 20, 2024 8:51:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by John on Jan 20, 2024 8:51:20 GMT
Years ago I was thinking about getting a musical paradise DAC but decided to go down a different route
Do let us know how you get on
|
|
|
|
Post by HD Music & Test on Jan 20, 2024 9:32:40 GMT
As long as it sounds better and lasts longer than lampy's then you will be fine, have repaired quite a few lampys over the years some of it quite serious.
As least this way you have control of what goes in and how well YOU build big plusses in my book
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 24, 2024 20:45:49 GMT
I've sent for one of these - just out of curiosity. No tax was applied and it cost £148: Check it out! ￡139.19 50%OFF | HIFI Audio Decoder ES9068AS USB DAC 32bit 384KHz DSD512 Lossless Output QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.1 Support IR Remote Control AMANERO a.aliexpress.com/_EIAG0h3 |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 24, 2024 21:40:04 GMT
Amazing that they can pack all that in (balanced outputs and I2S, even) at that price.
|
|
|
|
New DACs
Jan 24, 2024 22:02:18 GMT
via mobile
Post by Mr Whippy on Jan 24, 2024 22:02:18 GMT
Just wary about the operating voltage (220V/230v). Mine's typically 243V.
|
|
