Change of plans on DACs. I am going to build one...

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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited November 2010
    30 min to go to order the BuffaloII!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited November 2010
    ben62670 wrote: »
    The reason I chose those boards is the DAC chips are the most popular with modders to get great results. The analog/PS stages is where most DACs fall short.
    Ben
    Agreed, about a year ago I purchased a kit similar to the one in your first link for my PC rig but it utulized the Crystal CS4397 DAC.It needed a few changes,one so it would accept data above 48k the other to correct the wrong component values in the LPF which resulted in a HF roll off starting at 13k.:eek:With these changes and the elimination of some coupling caps,exchanging the stock opamp and installing a discrete headphone driver stage has IME resulted in a great sounding unit for less than $100.After a year of use I still don't feel the need to upgrade.


    As for the Ultra Analog AE21 it is merely a select grade of CS8412 with a pair of PLL circuits for improved jitter rejection in a potted module.
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited November 2010
    Greg,
    Were you able to get one? Looks like they sold out in less than 10 minutes!
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited November 2010
    Yep, I scored one.:biggrin: Yes, they were gone in 6 minutes!! Amazing. Either that shows you how good they are or how crazy some people are about thinking they are that good. Hopefully the former.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    Fred one of the advantages of using tubes for DACs is the need for filters isn't there anymore. The tubes take care of that. All that is needed is a DC blocking cap on the outs.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited November 2010
    Good job! What ps are you going with? I have a Mux, placids, legato and the soon to arrive trident regs. What will you use as a transport?
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited November 2010
    H9

    Ricardo offered to swap DACs with me a while back and like a dummy I did not take him up on it. I know Ricardo loves his but he also has a tube Pre. I am hoping to find a affordable to me DAC with a tube output stage because I have a SS integrated.

    I think I need a tube in the path to give me the sound I am looking for. Actually if I could find something that sounded as good as a Jolida JD100 I think I would be happy for a while.

    Sorry for the threadjack.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    Build one MLS. I have seen your work and I know you can do a bang up job of it. Feel free to call me if you like.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited November 2010
    bikerboy wrote: »
    Good job! What ps are you going with? I have a Mux, placids, legato and the soon to arrive trident regs. What will you use as a transport?

    I will be using a Denon DCD-3000 player, a Denon DVD-5910 or my AMC CD6b-5404as. I will probably tru all 3 and see what gives the best results.

    I have also aquired some tube output PCB's that I will be using as the I/V stage. I have read from others using the Buffalo II that it works out well and sounds fantastic. I can't wait to get all the parts and start building.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • TrashyTrucker
    TrashyTrucker Posts: 225
    edited November 2010
    Greg,
    I grasp what you guys are discussing and this is out of my league for now. :redface: Therefore I cannot give any opinions, but I do appreciate the good read(s). Nice thread and GLW the build!

    Pics or it didnt happen...LOL

    Matt :biggrin:
    Integra DTR 50.2 used as a preamp
    Rotel RCD 1520 cdp
    AudioQuest Jaguar 72v dbs ic's
    AudioQuest type 8 wire
    biamped to:
    2-Hafler 9500 trans nova's
    AudioQuest NRG-3 power cable's
    dedicated AC line for
    Tesla Plex 20a duplex receptacle
    Panamax Max 7500 pro surge/line conditioner
    SDA SRS 3.1 TL's modded...
    spikes, rdo's, rings, dynamat, sonicaps, mills & aeon
    Panasonic Viera G20 50" plasma


    ...SDA's are just like candy for your ears...
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    Do you have a link for the tube output PCB's?
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited November 2010
    Sure do Ben. I will be using 2 of them to have balanced output. Here they are from the DIYAudio forum sourced froma guy in Germany. He basically took the Lampizator idea and put it on a PCB, but also added switch to adjust the voltage to the tube heaters so you can try different tubes in it (them). That's the main reason I got it was for the ease of multi tube capability. I also got this B+ shunt PCB to go with it for a separate pwer supply. Everyone says it dramatically improves the imaging, stereo separation, and overall sound output.

    Tube PCB: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/group-buys/156149-tube-i-zator-professional-pcb.html

    B+ SHunt PCB: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/group-buys/156149-tube-i-zator-professional-pcb-20.html

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter