Modding a DAC

praedet
praedet Posts: 314
edited December 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
So, I have a LiteAudio DAC-60. I have already done a little modding, but I was hoping to get some ideas from you guys on what all I should do...

Here is a page detailing the unmodded model...

So, on to the mods that have already been done...

1) Changed out the Output caps with Sonicap Gen 1s with Sonicap Platinums for Bypasses
2) Changed out the RCAs for some silver Goertz RCAs and redid the wiring from the board to the RCAs with silver wire in teflon
3) NOS RCA 6922s
4) I barely add this, but added a Pangea AC-14SE cord

I have god a BNC connector to change out with the coax connector along with using some good mini coax cable, as I have heard BNCs are generally better for digital 75-ohm transmission.

So, what else? Should I sell this and get a better DAC, or should I mod it? What do I tackle next?
Thanks,
Ted
HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
Post edited by praedet on
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Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,197
    edited December 2010
    Have you looked over at www.diyaudio.com to see if anyone over there has done any mods? I believe I've seen several threads there as well as other sites lke www.audiocircle.com and www.audiokarma.com and maybe even www.headfi.org

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2010
    You are correct that BNC is the true 75 ohm connection, and would be a good swap if you will be using a BNC cable. Those mods look pretty good as long as you've added an IEC power connector for that Pangea cord. You should get a lot of SQ mileage out of the new caps and new tubes. I would also recommend searching the DAC for and "ribbon" jumpers or connections as I call them, and replacing them with actual stranded or solid core audio wire.
    Jake
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited December 2010
    praedet wrote: »
    So, I have a LiteAudio DAC-60. I have already done a little modding, but I was hoping to get some ideas from you guys on what all I should do...
    Without having a schematic it is hard to give specific recommendations other than upgrading the coupling caps ,tubes and connectors as you have already done.
    , as I have heard BNCs are generally better for digital 75-ohm transmission.
    Yes but the advantage is really only realized when the complete transmissoin link is true 75 ohm. Using 75ohm connectors(BNC or special RCA's)at both the transmit and reciving ends aswell as a 75 ohm coax will result in the lowest reflections within the cable which in theory should reduce jitter.
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  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited December 2010
    I will be using a BNC out of a modified HiFace into the DAC, so I think that takes care of the 75 ohm path...

    As far as threads other places, the majority simply discuss various modded versions of this DAC from various vendors. I have not found a thread that goes through specific mods...
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited December 2010
    If you can dig up a schematic we might be able to suggest some further possible tweaks.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2010
    Heres a couple of good threads, that offer some cheap "tweaks" for your dac:

    http://forums.slimdevices.com/archive/index.php/t-20789.html

    http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48448
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited December 2010
    ^^^thanks!!!
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter