Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by bbbretzel

do you think he'll just send only the good chips ?
I hope he'll answer soon....

I would think you would just get the chips on/and the adpater. What else would you expect?

.

[bbbretzel]

I only expect that ! I hope he's serious.
I'll tell you

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by bbbretzel

I only expect that ! I hope he's serious.
I'll tell you

You bought from a Good Vendor, no worries RE the Vendor.

.

[| Scorpio |]

My Zero has had a small problem ever since I got it about 7 months ago where the right channel is louder than the left at low volumes. I don't usually listen at low enough volumes for this to be problem, but I'm trying to change my habits and start listening quieter. I'd like to lower the gain in the amp section so I can turn the volume up without it being very loud. How would I go about doing that?

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by | Scorpio |

My Zero has had a small problem ever since I got it about 7 months ago where the right channel is louder than the left at low volumes. I don't usually listen at low enough volumes for this to be problem, but I'm trying to change my habits and start listening quieter. I'd like to lower the gain in the amp section so I can turn the volume up without it being very loud. How would I go about doing that?

Get an alps pot from Lawrence Chan and install it. Requires desoldering the old pot and soldering in the new one.

Here's his auctions, I've bought an alps pot from him, but I don't know if he'll sell one to aomeone who hasn't bought a zero from him.

Zero DAC with the HDAM, LT1364, and upgraded volume pot - eBay (item 230349545923 end time Jun-22-09 21:09:16 PDT)

[| Scorpio |]

I've never done any soldering before, so I doubt that I'd be able to install it myself. How much do you think Lawrence would charge for an alps pot?

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by | Scorpio |

I've never done any soldering before, so I doubt that I'd be able to install it myself. How much do you think Lawrence would charge for an alps pot?

I think he gets about $10 for it. This would be a hard project for your first solder job. The hard part is the desoldering on the crappy Zero Board. I don't know any other source for the alps pot that goes on that board. The alps Blue Velvet is too big.

.

[ads2]

Hi there,
More than 2 months ago, my Zero DAC dies.
I have contacted Lawrence, he askmed me to send back the main board (it was under warranty).
It costed me 35 Euros signed from France
Lawrence received it and told me that the DACship was dead.
He had to send it to the factory for repair`.
and since then, he tells me that it should be repeaired soon.
But nothing done, I'm still does not have it back.

Anybody has got a mainboard back repaired from Lawrence ?

Thanks

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by ads2

Hi there,
More than 2 months ago, my Zero DAC dies.
I have contacted Lawrence, he askmed me to send back the main board (it was under warranty).
It costed me 35 Euros signed from France
Lawrence received it and told me that the DACship was dead.
He had to send it to the factory for repair`.
and since then, he tells me that it should be repeaired soon.
But nothing done, I'm still does not have it back.

Anybody has got a mainboard back repaired from Lawrence ?

Thanks

Good Luck my friend. We will pray for you...

.

[AudioPhewl]

Sadly, I fear the €35 would likely have been put to better use by saving toward a new DAC...

Lawrence has a reputation for leaving people out to dry. Ah... you're not English, I presume... he has a reputation for ignoring problems and hoping they will go away.

~Phewl.

[ads2]

but I think that he read this newsgroup.
After speaking about my different problem here, he tryed to solve it.

yesterday I received this email :


Dear Sir ,



Your parcel is on the way , tracking no XXXXXXX , Hongkong Post 香港郵政 ,air mail( 7-10 days ) . Please let me know when you receive it .



Thank you very much !



Best regards,

Lawrence

so I think to solve the problems it's always beter to write here also.
Now I will have to wait and see.

Just

[takengo2003]

Originally Posted by | Scorpio |

My Zero has had a small problem ever since I got it about 7 months ago where the right channel is louder than the left at low volumes. I don't usually listen at low enough volumes for this to be problem, but I'm trying to change my habits and start listening quieter. I'd like to lower the gain in the amp section so I can turn the volume up without it being very loud. How would I go about doing that?

actually i also have this small problem, but i am using pc, hence i can adjust the left and right balance to ensure both side are equal loudness.

[Pricklely Peete]

Originally Posted by ads2

but I think that he read this newsgroup.
After speaking about my different problem here, he tryed to solve it.

yesterday I received this email :


Dear Sir ,



Your parcel is on the way , tracking no XXXXXXX , Hongkong Post 香港郵政 ,air mail( 7-10 days ) . Please let me know when you receive it .



Thank you very much !



Best regards,

Lawrence

so I think to solve the problems it's always beter to write here also.
Now I will have to wait and see.

Just

I'm glad to see this has worked out for you......now to wait until the package and board arrive.

Peete.

[freckling]

I can't believe the Zero has gone down the poop drain. I was always extremely happy with my Zero as it has (and still does) serve me well. I'm in the market for a sub $200 DAC/amp that offers similar value. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've obviously heard of the Compass, but seeing as I'm buying this for my brother, I want to avoid spending $400 and ironically giving him a better headphone amp than the one I own.

[laobrasuca]

do any of you know what's the peak voltage swing the ZERO can output?

@ freckling: at this price a joint dac+amp not DIY solution is the xonar ST, but your brother have to have a desktop computer with windows. i'd also like to have more good stand alone options below 200$...

lao