DAC recommendation...decision made: Oritek OMZ...OMG!

[d-cee]

Originally Posted by vedemo

OMZ

good first post, welcome to head-fi!

[Ragonix]

How would the Zhaolu D3 compare with the OMZ?

[Golden Monkey]

Don't know, soundwise, but Ori's mods are pretty extensive. Gold plated RCAs, zero-feedback discrete output stage with DC-servo, torroidal transformer at the coaxial input, removes the micro-controller with its oscillator to lower the noise level, and replaces the faceplate with a kickass black engraved one (sounds insignificant, but this also removes the LEDs and stuff, essentially all the noise producing componentry). There's more, but that's off the top of my head. This DAC is dead silent...I'm using a Musiland MD-10 right now, and no matter what I do, I can't get rid of the 60hz hum from it. Bypassing it completely, cdp to amp directly is fine, but the MD in the chain...bzzzz. The D3 upsamples, I know that, and the MD-10 does as well, but it seems like selecting anything other than standard cd resolution just adds more digital harshness. The OMZ sounds so natural and analog.

D3:
"Zhaolu D3 DAC.
This DAC supports the TG-Link input for PC sound. When used with the computer soundcard shown below, the digital information is transmitted via this new interface. We will add more information as we become more familiar with this interface and device. However, it looks like it could be quite an upgrade from USB. Following is some information culled from the manufacturer's website, please forgive us if the translation is a little spotty here and there...:

Zhaolu D3 stereo digital audio decoder is a new generation of high-standard decoder product. The Zhaolu D3 can accept (24bits-192khz) SPDIF digital audio signal format. Four digital inputs can completely meet user requirements. Inputs: SPDIF optical interface, two coaxial SPDIF input interface, and the high-speed buffer TG-link personal digital audio interface. Through the control panel, users can choose the necessary input to accept the desired digital audio signal. Users can assign a designated priority switched digital audio input, which will stay selected even when switched off and on again. In the pursuit of excellent performance, the Zhaolu D3 will be exzceptionally well shielded, use circuit boards and PCB design of the highest quality, and carefully selected high performance parts. The Zhaolu D3 test results exceeded the minimum resolution of the test equipment. Following is a 24bit/96kHz some of the test results :
-115dB -115dB (A-weighted)
113dB dynamic range (A-weighted)
-100dB 0.001% Total Harmonic Distortion : "-100dB (" 0.001%)
-111dB 1KhZ -111dB 1KhZ stereo separation :
-108dB 300hZ -108dB (300hZ--40KhZ)
Zhaolu D3 uses Cirrus Logic CS4398 digital-analog conversion devices, and carefully match the peripheral circuits."

D2.5A:
The DAC 2.5 includes an optical and coaxial digital input. It applies the famous Cirrus Logic CS8416 & Analog Devices AD1852 chips as it's signal receiver. With the digital analog converter, the whole signal path is really 24bit/192kHz. The decoded signal is then passed to 3 pieces of Burr-Brown OPA2604 hi-quality op-amp chips for filtering and buffering.
The newly launched Zhaolu D2 advanced DAC/headphone amp is nearly a complete revamp of it’s predecessor, the ever popular D1.x series. The new front plate combines a black and a contour shaped silver aluminum. The front plate features headphone volume control, power switch, headphone output, input source switching and LED status indicators. The new D2 series houses an all new internal design: the new R type transformer, an added headphone (audio) input/output as well as fixed RCA audio output.
Features:
- Optical (Digital) Input
- Coaxial (Digital) Input
- RCA Phone Input
- Non-Balanced (RCA) Analog Output
- RCA Phone Out (Volume-adjustable as pre-amp)
- 6.3mm Headphone Signal Output
- Independent headphone amplifier supports different headphone impedance
- Op-amp chips is exchangeable for different sound style
- Has Power-on delay and Power-off cut protection
- High upgrade potential
- Full of high quality audiophile graded parts and components
- Separated power supply to analog and digital circuits
- Applied high quality double-side printed circuit board (PCB)
- Stylish slim case and aluminium panel board
Specifications:
Receiver Chip: Cirrus Logic CS8416 (192kHz)
D/A Chip: Analog Devices AD1852 (24Bit/192kHz)
Analog Op-Amp: Burr Brown OPA2604
S/N Ratio: 120dB
THD: 102dB
Dynamic Range: 117dB
Frequence Response: 20Hz-22kHz(¡Ó0.5dB)
110v power (can be converted to 220)

[Pricklely Peete]

Originally Posted by d-cee

good first post, welcome to head-fi!

ROFL

Peete.

[bordins]

Congratulations Golden Monkey !!

Originally Posted by Ori

My own observations show that it is not easy to identify a good commercial transport.

I just built an HTPC (using low-power AMD X2 CPU) for watching hidef movies. Interestingly, it allows me to covert my CD collection to lossless .wma files for feeding my OMZ DAC. I find sonics is still superb, perhaps better than using the DVD transport, IMHO. The best is that I can browse the entire music collection on my computer.

500GB harddisk is very affordable now. Try it guys !

[ecclesand]

Originally Posted by Golden Monkey

One thing Ori mentioned was that this DAC really needs power conditioning to shine. You don't need to go overboard on it, just have your digital and analog sections separate. What I'm using (and Ori is too!) is a simple transformer based conditioner. I'm using a SmartPower and he's using a PowerVar. Either can be had for around $150 or so. They are the types used on POS (point-of-sale, not what you're thinking) units - cash registers basically. I replaced the recepticle in mine with a hospital grade unit, and have the DAC and transport on it, and it really does the trick. It opens up and smoothes out the sound, and gives you a nice black background and resolution. No need for giga-buck exotic power conditioners. You don't get surge protection with this setup, but unlike a UPS-type unit, you don't get that soundstage compression.

Pompon, I found the exact opposite, actually...the DAC really gives me a wide and deep soundstage, with focus and clarity on all instruments, correct placing, and a much more vivid presentation. This thing just screams "NATURAL!" and "ALIVE!". Maybe it's your interconnects...let me know if you want to ditch those lousy X2's in favor of something else...I'll take them from ya, you know...as a favor...

I jest, lol...

I just received a Powervar conditioner that I bought off Ebay a few days ago and the sound has opened up a little bit on my OMZ. At this point, I don't know if it's placebo or not, but I'm digging it. When I have a chance, I'll do some critical listening between plugging directly into the wall vs the conditioner.

[Golden Monkey]

Originally Posted by ecclesand

I just received a Powervar conditioner that I bought off Ebay a few days ago and the sound has opened up a little bit on my OMZ. At this point, I don't know if it's placebo or not, but I'm digging it. When I have a chance, I'll do some critical listening between plugging directly into the wall vs the conditioner.

Just curious...did you order that on my recommendation, or was it something you decided on your own? Do you know what model you got? I may be able to secure a few more, and if I do, I'll put them up for sale/trade in the forums. Let us know how it goes in your A/B testing.

[ecclesand]

Originally Posted by Golden Monkey

Just curious...did you order that on my recommendation, or was it something you decided on your own? Do you know what model you got? I may be able to secure a few more, and if I do, I'll put them up for sale/trade in the forums. Let us know how it goes in your A/B testing.

I have been considering a power conditioner for my OMZ for a while based on Ori's recommendation. However, he recommended one of the TrippLites (LC1200, LC1800, etc.) that includes voltage regulation. Then I read your post about you using a SmartPower and Ori using a Powervar and decided to go with just the power conditioner. It was an easy decision as I picked one up off Ebay brand new for $32.

I got the Powervar ABC150-11. There are actually quite a few used ones going for $10 - $15 after bidding has ended.

[Golden Monkey]

Awesome! That's good pricing on them.

[Golden Monkey]

Juuussst bumping this to annoy Herandu, lol...