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11-08-2008, 08:08 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Currently in Gisborne NZ
Posts: 259
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Hey, PP, welcome to the Dyslexic Nutbars Club! (DNC). If I left my musings and writings as they come from my hands to the kepboard, you would need a Cyrillic specialist to interpret the mess!! 
That audio-gd power supply is not only a mil-spec work of art, but the effect it has on the sound is to take, say, a good 100W amp in a system and replace it with a you-beaut 500W amp. Effortless power!
NB Yes, that means I've uprated the power wattage effect from my previous post as it's run in some more! 
I have never heard the great chorus from Carmina Burana, off The Doors soundtrack, without compression and distortion before. Now it's like a completely different recording, open, effortless, clean and undistorted, and as for that tympani drum, WHOOOOF!
Feel da air, man!
My new stock of Os-Cons will be making a larger purple appearance in my Frankie once KHA II is sorted. Now that she's around the 200 hour mark, I have a much more refined, all-singing, all-dancing Frankie. 
S-Man
Last edited by sennsay; 11-08-2008 at 08:12 PM.
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11-09-2008, 08:00 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 322
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Oh my. I made a mistake in ordering.
The ultrafast is supposed to be UF 4007 which I order UF 4001 (as copy from the pcb).
Should I switch back to 4007, is it the important factor is the voltage or reverse recovery response time ? which is better ? higher or lower ?
==
I have further listened to the mod as in my picture, wow. I really can feel the fidelity at works. my god.
tht sausage is going to push me a few step to nirvana.
__________________
HTPC -> [BlueJeans Fiber Optic] -> DAC-19MK3 -> [ CAST] -> CIA-400 -> [ VDH Goldwater ]-> KEF-CRESTA10 modded
Last edited by ccschua; 11-09-2008 at 12:29 PM.
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11-09-2008, 03:33 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 322
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From my initial impression about the cap mod, the noise level is lower. The signal seems to be cleaner, in that the detail is more transparent. I can hear timbre such as Jazz at the pawnshop more accurate. The bell is less bright, non fatiguing. The acoustics, and its reveberations seems to last longer.
However on the bass department, it seems to be lower but less authoritative. The punch is not delivered real deep and solid, instead of heating [see, I am having the same D factor like PP] the drum with vivacity, the sound seems to appear from a bigger drum, and thus lacks punch.
Seems the capacitor need really filling up the empty spaces.
__________________
HTPC -> [BlueJeans Fiber Optic] -> DAC-19MK3 -> [ CAST] -> CIA-400 -> [ VDH Goldwater ]-> KEF-CRESTA10 modded
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11-09-2008, 03:43 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 322
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With regards to mod, I wonder what is the best way to remove a cap.
My problem is I cant seem to get the pcb hole clear up for the new cap insert.
This is what I did. First I use solder wick to remove the bottom solder. Then, I started heating up 1 leg and then the other leg. While keeping both leg warm, I started to pull and wiggle out 1 leg, then the other leg, vice versa.
When I want to insert the new cap, since the pcb hole has some solder remaining, I heat up till I cant get the long leg thru, follow by the shorter leg. till both is through. In doing so, If I heat slightly longer, or pushing too hard, the pad just peel off or the track will be out too.
I wonder what would be a good solution. or else I keep using jumpers.
__________________
HTPC -> [BlueJeans Fiber Optic] -> DAC-19MK3 -> [ CAST] -> CIA-400 -> [ VDH Goldwater ]-> KEF-CRESTA10 modded
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11-09-2008, 04:57 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 439
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Sometimes only a little solder is left in the hole and it can be a PITA to remove, the best way I found is just to add more solder, and then use a solder sucker, cleans it right up, much easier to remove them you have plenty of solder  . Them I use the braid to remove the remaining solder around the hole.
------------
Anyway, yesterday I did some RMAA testing on the ZERO, pre-OSCON and latter with OSCON, no measurable differences, this is not to say no sound changes occurred, I am still assessing that atm.
What I did found that is that with the OPA-Earth, I get A LOT of stereo crosstalk, ending up with a result of "Poor" (-51dB) on that particular test. Then I tried a opamp I had laying around ( LM4562) and the stereo crosstalk was "gone" leaving me with an "Excellent" (-92.8dB) on that test, I am still trying to find why the earth is so weak on that test, I want to try connecting the ground leg and test again to see it it clears up a bit, and them I am going to test the SUN.
I am going to host the RMAA results and post the url's latter so that you guys may compare to your own if you so choose.
- E D I T -
ZERO RMAA's
OPA-Earth - 16-bit, 44 kHz
LM4562 - 16-bit, 44 kHz
OPA-Earth - 24-bit, 96 kHz
LM4562 - 24-bit, 96 kHz
Pay no special attention to the htm names and "Testing device" description, I was testing as I was going along paying no special attention to the names I used, just go with the titles used here .
- E D I T II -
ZERO w/OPA-SUN
OPA-SUN - 16-bit 44 kHz
OPA-SUN - 24-bit 96 kHz
Similar results for both the Earth and Sun, next step: connecting the ground legs of the Audio-GD OPAs to the RCA ground and redoing the RMAAs for both.
__________________
PC (WASAPI) → AMB/Mr.X γ1 (W.I.P) → Pure Silver m-RCA D.I.Y → Millett Hybrid MiniMAX D.I.Y (W.I.P) / AMB Mini³ D.I.Y → Sennheiser HD-650 / Grado RS-80
Last edited by DaMnEd; 11-10-2008 at 12:44 AM.
Reason: Added RMAA results
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11-10-2008, 01:01 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 439
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RMAA's for the Zero DAC - OPA-SUN w/Ground leg connected:
OPA-SUN - 16-bit 44 kHz w/Ground
OPA-SUN - 24-bit 96 kHz w/Ground
So, there you have it, with the ground leg connected the Stereo crosstalk clears up! From Poor/Average to Excellent!
I expect the same with the OPA-Earth module, I will test it later to confirm. The modules where connected to one chassis bolt with ground, not to the RCA ground (didn't find the time to do it yet).
__________________
PC (WASAPI) → AMB/Mr.X γ1 (W.I.P) → Pure Silver m-RCA D.I.Y → Millett Hybrid MiniMAX D.I.Y (W.I.P) / AMB Mini³ D.I.Y → Sennheiser HD-650 / Grado RS-80
Last edited by DaMnEd; 11-10-2008 at 05:27 PM.
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11-10-2008, 02:25 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Fukuoka, Japan (was Australia)
Posts: 3,536
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I'll have to have another listen to all three HDAMs then while grounded. Ungrounded, they have different degrees of soundstage, the Moon having the most. I wonder if grounding them will change that now.
__________________
"The trouble with most people is not what they don't know, but what they know for certain that isn't true." -- Mark Twain
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11-10-2008, 03:01 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: GreaterTorontoArea in Sub-Urbaine hell
Posts: 3,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ccschua
I have a feeling the 4 nos of cap supplying DAC is critial. in fact, the analogue chain after DAC is critical. So I have a feeling the 4xOscon plus the bypass is very important. what do u think.
I am even thinking of putting a socket so that I can swap in out the cap.
I have also 4xNOVER 100uF 63V which is known for neutral sounding.
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Absolutely CC. This is yet another critical area to upgrade...it's as important as the power supply mods.
Speaking of the PSU, you best order some UF4007 diodes, the 4001 although 25 ns faster do not have the proper rating to match the stock UL4007. The UF4007 is the ultra fast drop in equivalent to those stock diodes.
All of your parts selection thus far is unique to say the least. I bet once you get all the parts in place you'll have a very very good result similar to the FrankenZERO. Especially so if you use the Russian PIOs where specified in the FrankenZERO mod.
DaMnEd,
Good job on the RMAA results. I haven't had time yet to actually measure my Frankie, too many other projects on the go at the moment that take priority. I will get to it soon though.
I wonder if the BA cap mod across the + - pins of the HDAM cancels out the crosstalk you have observed. The stereo separation of the FrankenZERO is outstanding by my ears...so good in fact it's a lot like a super hi quality cross feed circuit without the added circuitry.
Of course I need to test this for myself at some point.
Keep up the good work fellows.....
Peete.
__________________
Cans :HD650, AKG 240M (HD650 DIY cables SE and Balanced)
Desktop amps : LD MK III (6H30P-i DR's + DIY mods, Jaycar DIY kit amp (major DIY mods), 2 X Audio-gd Compass (test prototype,final version), Audio-gd C-2C W/ Stepped pot Upgrade, Audio-gd Phoenix SS balanced preamp/headamp.
Transports: Auzen Prelude PCI 7.1 SC/ASIO native driver using Media Monkey (all EAC ripped FLAC/Wav), Vanguard CDM12 Pro (BNC mod), HK HD720 (completely upgraded), Audio-gd CD7 Transport.
Sources: FrankenDAC DIY 24/192 dac (HDAMs/Teflon/PIO cap mod), Compass DAC, See Corp Vintage UK TT(Mission arm/Ortofon OM20S MM cart), Yaqin MS12B tube phono preamp, TEAC V530X Tape deck, Audio-gd Reference 1 DAC. C2C DIY pot mod http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/ste...1/#post5846722
Last edited by Pricklely Peete; 11-10-2008 at 03:59 PM.
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11-10-2008, 05:26 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 439
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Thanks Peete!
RMAA's for the Earth module w/Ground:
OPA-EARTH - 16-bit 44 kHz w/Ground
OPA-EARTH - 24-bit 96 kHz w/Ground
So, as expected, connecting the ground also clears the Crosstalk on the Earth module, Excellent results!
The ZERO with the OPA-Earth w/ground pretty much give the best RMAA's of all tested combos! So the tests pretty much matches the opinion most of us had, the Earth is the best sounding option for the ZERO DAC! (I dot not have the Moon, so.. can't speak to that option)
__________________
PC (WASAPI) → AMB/Mr.X γ1 (W.I.P) → Pure Silver m-RCA D.I.Y → Millett Hybrid MiniMAX D.I.Y (W.I.P) / AMB Mini³ D.I.Y → Sennheiser HD-650 / Grado RS-80
Last edited by DaMnEd; 11-10-2008 at 05:31 PM.
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11-10-2008, 05:56 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 14
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And speaking about bypass, I've found some K42Y-2 PIO 0,33uf 160v, they have a diameter of 9mm, and 36 of lenght , could they fit under the zero pcb?
Thanks!
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11-10-2008, 10:53 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Queens, home of the Mets
Posts: 2,907
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Can you guys recommend what kind of wire to use to do the RCA mod?
Will this do?
Search Results Page
Where can I buy better wire for a decent price? If I get my Frankenzero kit Ill be spending the weekend sucking solder fumes and I want to get it done all in one shot.
I want to order the wire ASAP so I can have it by Friday.
__________________
SB3>>VH Audio Pulsars>>Zero DAC>>Winsome Labs Mouse>>Synergistic Research Alpha Speaker Cables>>JM Labs Chorus 706 speakers.
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11-10-2008, 11:01 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 439
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__________________
PC (WASAPI) → AMB/Mr.X γ1 (W.I.P) → Pure Silver m-RCA D.I.Y → Millett Hybrid MiniMAX D.I.Y (W.I.P) / AMB Mini³ D.I.Y → Sennheiser HD-650 / Grado RS-80
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11-10-2008, 11:07 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Queens, home of the Mets
Posts: 2,907
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What gauge will be sufficient? Will this change the sound signature? Will the copper do?
What is everyone else using?
__________________
SB3>>VH Audio Pulsars>>Zero DAC>>Winsome Labs Mouse>>Synergistic Research Alpha Speaker Cables>>JM Labs Chorus 706 speakers.
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11-10-2008, 11:17 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 439
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Copper will do. 22/24AWG will do just fine.
Copper vs Silver for signal wiring is something that has been extensively discussed in this forum, do a quick search. But yes, it can make a difference.
__________________
PC (WASAPI) → AMB/Mr.X γ1 (W.I.P) → Pure Silver m-RCA D.I.Y → Millett Hybrid MiniMAX D.I.Y (W.I.P) / AMB Mini³ D.I.Y → Sennheiser HD-650 / Grado RS-80
Last edited by DaMnEd; 11-10-2008 at 11:20 PM.
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11-10-2008, 11:21 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Queens, home of the Mets
Posts: 2,907
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I dislike brightness but like detail. Anyone using this stuff in their zero now?
Damned thanks for the help.
__________________
SB3>>VH Audio Pulsars>>Zero DAC>>Winsome Labs Mouse>>Synergistic Research Alpha Speaker Cables>>JM Labs Chorus 706 speakers.
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