'Entry Level' DAC Comparison

heiney9 · February 2012

Danny - when you get a chance maybe we could figure out which version of the Keces 151 you have on loan.

The original dac was called the PCM2702 and had an all acrylic case with the Keces logo engraved on it. The dac uses the clock on the chip also had output coupling caps and used OPA604 op-amps Many people didn't care for the logo to be so prominently displayed.

The next version called the DA-151 used a little better power supply, an outboard upgraded clock (rather than the on chip clock). Still had the output coupling caps, but replaced the OPA604 op-amps with the more neutral LME47910 op-amps. It came in a nice steel case with a thick smoked plexiglass top and a smaller logo on the front.

The DA-151 MKII uses the identical case (no "MKII" markings) but the output coupling caps are replaced by a single op-amp, better power supply, clock is closer to the chip for an even shorter circuit path, optimized circuit board layout and external voltage switch

It would help to know which version you have. I have the second one

H9

AsSiMiLaTeD · February 2012

I don't know specifics about the chips used in each one, but the version I have is apparently the new one, it's the one in the second photo. I may have mentioned this already, but I'm using an iMac as my primary source. iTunes doesn't do sample rate conversion though and generally sucks almost as much as the awful Windows kmixer driver so I'm running Amarra Mini to bypass all the iTunes garbage.

Amarra is generally considered to be the best audio engine for the Mac platform, though I've also used Pure Music with great success. I've just recently acquired Amarra Mini and prefer it over Pure Music only because of the interface, audio playback is very similar between the two.

So I'm covered on the USB front, I'm getting the best possible output via USB that one can get with a Mac, and alot of 'pro' reviews are done on my same setup, for whatever that's worth.

heiney9 · February 2012

FYI, the second photo with the visible coupling caps is the revised original version. The last photo is the MKII version and is the current version. Do the best you can with the USB connection. I know very little about Mac and the interphase.

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

H9

FTGV · February 2012

heiney9 wrote: »

... with the more neutral LME47910 op-amps.

A good'n and my favorite along with the dual versions LM4562/LME4792O.Tansparent,detailed and very low noise but some may find it a little too much on the analytical side.

heiney9 · February 2012

FTGV wrote: »

A good'n and my favorite along with the dual versions LM4562/LME4792O.Tansparent,detailed and very low noise but some may find it a little too much on the analytical side.

So far not an issue, but I am still evaluating. I may pick up some OPA604's and swap just to see. According to Keces, no one has ever asked to put the OPA's back in after hearing the LME47910's.

Fred, I still have those op-amps you sent me for the Pop-Pulse dac. If you'd like them back I can certainly put them back in the mail to you. Right now I don't think I have a use for them. If not, I'll keep them in my goody box.

H9