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Clash of the titans: Benchmark DAC-1 vs. LeVry DA-10 vs. upgraded Zhalou DAC - Page 5

post #61 of 845
3/6/06 at 2:33pm
Thread Starter 

Upgrade options

Quote:
Originally Posted by liwei
As for the OP627 change, can you tell me where I can get them?
The stock OPA2604 sound excellent, so I recommend that you listen to them first. There are many suitable opamps to "roll". I'd look online on Mouser and Digikey and run a quick search. If units are out of production, then you should ask yourself why...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikechai
How big the difference between modded and non-modded Zhaolu?
I don't have direct experience with that. My friend Bill had the basic unit and bought an upgraded one. He tells me that the change was "huge" (his words) and easily noticeable. I don't doubt that. The clock is an obvious thing, and noise level is so low. I maxed the preamp volume control and had to put my ears next to the speakers to hear any hum or hiss. That's one heck of a power supply upgrade!
I saw the pics of the discrete headphone amp on Zhaolu website. It looks massive with heatsinked output stage, but it takes space. I'd skip it and go for the upgraded supply and clock. Buy a second unit without the DAC, to use as a headphone amp... The prices that Viconte found are unbelievable!
I have a hunch that all these upgrades are OEM'ed from Zhaolu but I'll wait for the pics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by uzziah
...and don't need rushed shipping
Take the rush shipping!!!You don't want your box handled as regular mail, trust me on that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon L
BTW, why the heck can't they just install the male IEC in the chassis instead of using the cheesy 2-prong to IEC adapter...?
That's a sore point... The standard case (it is made by Zhaolu, see pics on their web site) itself is slim and you'll have to remove the XLR connectors to empty enough space for the IEC jack. The case is also not stiff so I recommend to add stand-offs from top to bottom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viconte
I really dont understand technically too about the clock upgrade
The ppm spec is irrelevant, because 50ppm means a deviation of 1 Hz at 20 KHz... I mean, who gives a SH&%#... And that's assuming they actually have a calibrated reference, which is not likely to be found in a Hi-Fi shop anywhere. The real bonus of the clock upgrade is the regulated clock supply and the (apparently) low jitter TCXO. There are better oscillator circuits which exhibit even lower noise levels, but for all practical purposes this upgrade works fine - a true "no brainer".
Just do it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TigzStudio
Plus the other fellow who is selling cheaper is going to charge an extra fee for building the modded version correct?
It is interesting to hear how much Eddie charges for the basic DAC with the power supply and clock upgrades and the IEC connector. IMO this is the 'package' to get. No opamp upgrades, no headphone amp at the expense of power supply regulation. I think we are talking about a DAC, not a rabbit in a hat...
I've calculated $294, including $58 express mail... Interesting! Very interesting!
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post #62 of 845
3/6/06 at 2:37pm
..................low jitter................Y U M M Y for pc-source folk like myself.


here's a response from eddie that tells the tale pretty well:

Lawerence brought ht dac-1.3 from me and all the upgrade is done by myself.Starting to sell oversea is hard at the beginning .The most important things is I am weak in computer work otherwise put it on ebay already !
DAC-1.3 $80.6US
Upgrade power supply $48.7US
Clock with 1 ppm $48.7US
assemble free $25US
shipping cost need to check tomorrow !
Thanks !
Wu.


....it will be interesting to see the fully upgraded "lawrence" pics, and see if they're the same as the upgraded "eddie".....lol

...i'd definitely consider assembling myself since he said he's not too technically inclined, but then again there's no instructions in english. i'm going to get one with upgrade clock and power supply as soon as possible, and probably the cheaper dy2000's just since they're such a mystery chip............anyone think assembly would be difficult? i solder of course, but just follow instructions really

......i'd say: buy one now before prices go up ( i nearly soiled myself when he said fleebay....ahhhhhh!!!! )
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post #63 of 845
3/6/06 at 2:50pm
i still see a discrepency between lawrence's top clock (he says something about mark levinson 2ppm), and eddie's (1ppm). i haven't a freakin clue about it at all, but it's possible that is one difference, i just don't know.
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post #64 of 845
3/6/06 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by uzziah
i still see a discrepency between lawrence's top clock (he says something about mark levinson 2ppm), and eddie's (1ppm). i haven't a freakin clue about it at all, but it's possible that is one difference, i just don't know.
I asked Eddie about the 2ppm Mark Levinson clock

This is what he said:
"Hi!
The upgrade clock is copy from Mark Levinson transport parts and that is why they are suspand with four plastic rings .One ppm and two is hard to distingish from ear but one thing the basic requiement starting 2ppm will have the adjustment knob .
Thanks Wu"

Hope this throws some light regarding the different clocks
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post #65 of 845
3/6/06 at 2:56pm
i'm heavily leaning toward thinking that all of this is standard zhaolu offerings, and both distributers are offering the same exact options, but still not positive
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post #66 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:00pm
With regards to the adjustment knob for the clock, when I asked eddie whether I need to do anything to the knob or how to use it, this is what he told me:

"Hi!
Never try to adjust the knob otherwise will be 10 or15 ppm.
This knob is carbirate with different temperature -40c to + 70C something like that and with 1 ppm."

So im leaving things as it is when my modded zhaolu from eddie arrives for the non-techie me
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post #67 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:02pm
lol, i got to stop reading this thread........here no knob-evil, see no knob-evil.......na na na na na


btw: i'm still wondering if anyone knows if i can put my opa637's in the zhaolu? i know some circuits like sound cards will not allow the 637. something about gain or something? i ask because i've got a couple, and would like to browndog them and give them a shot
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post #68 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:08pm
I think that i'm on the same, if not similar boat uzziah. how do i contact eddie, this seems like a great deal. i'll keep reading this thread. Thanks everyone so far.
David
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post #69 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:09pm
I e-mailed to Eddie also. There's a slight language barrier for sure but I still understood his English. His prices sure are cheaper but still I feel more comfortable to deal with a guy speaking fluent English. In that way there won't be any misunderstanding. Here's a quote of his e-mail:

DAC1.3 -$80.6US
Upgradre clock $48.7US
Upgrade power supply $48.7US
Assemble free $25US
Shipping cost need to check tomorrow .
Thanks !
Wu.

There's nothing said about DY2000 or OPA627 upgrade though(?)

Btw. what does 'carbirate' mean?
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post #70 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:10pm
So, is this correct?

Completely upgraded Zhaolu DAC (power supply unit upgrade, DY2000 opamp, clock upgrade):

Eddie Wu: 273,8 $

Lawrence: 428 $
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post #71 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patu
I e-mailed to Eddie also. There's a slight language barrier for sure but I still understood his English. His prices sure are cheaper but still I feel more comfortable to deal with a guy speaking fluent English. In that way there won't be any misunderstanding. Here's a quote of his e-mail:

DAC1.3 -$80.6US
Upgradre clock $48.7US
Upgrade power supply $48.7US
Assemble free $25US
Shipping cost need to check tomorrow .
Thanks !
Wu.

There's nothing said about DY2000 or OPA627 upgrade though(?)

Btw. what does 'carbirate' mean?

ha, i think it's calibrate?

There is DY2000/OPA627 upgrade, you have to ask him specifically. You have to keep asking, I didnt know there were so many upgrades until I ask Eddie specifically.

Personally I have emailed both Lawrence and Eddie before, as for the level of communication maybe I will say Lawrence might be slightly clearer, Eddie does not get every word correctly but you will understand his intentions nevertheless, or at least tt's the impression i get from my emails.

So if you have any upgrades in mind, ask Eddie directly for the kind of upgrade you want. He might not quote all the upgrades, so be specific. He's working on a website where he can list his products, but bear with him as he's still trying to learn how to setup his website.

Cheers
Daniel
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post #72 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by granodemostasa
I think that i'm on the same, if not similar boat uzziah. how do i contact eddie, this seems like a great deal. i'll keep reading this thread. Thanks everyone so far.
David
Eddie is the offical HongKong distributor of Zhaolu
URL: http://www.zhaolu.com/net.htm
eddiewuhk@netvigator.com
Tel: 852-27837612
Addy: 154 APLUI ST.1/F SHUM SHUI PO.KOWLOON H.K.
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post #73 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:18pm
Does anyone know if the DAC is available without any headphone amp whatsoever and if so if it's available in a different, plain case (preferably black)?
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post #74 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by granodemostasa
I think that i'm on the same, if not similar boat uzziah. how do i contact eddie, this seems like a great deal. i'll keep reading this thread. Thanks everyone so far.
David
eddiewuhk@netvigator.com

he's very responsive. still waiting on shipping costs. i'm going to grab one right away.
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post #75 of 845
3/6/06 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patu
I e-mailed to Eddie also. There's a slight language barrier for sure but I still understood his English. His prices sure are cheaper but still I feel more comfortable to deal with a guy speaking fluent English. In that way there won't be any misunderstanding. Here's a quote of his e-mail:

DAC1.3 -$80.6US
Upgradre clock $48.7US
Upgrade power supply $48.7US
Assemble free $25US
Shipping cost need to check tomorrow .
Thanks !
Wu.

There's nothing said about DY2000 or OPA627 upgrade though(?)

Btw. what does 'carbirate' mean?
we're not going to debate who's english is better, are we? lawrence VS eddie. neither of them speak fluent; both speak well enough

i can only assume "carbirate" is "calibrate". i seriously doubt your DAC will come with a carborator, or be carbonated; ohh.....fizzy dac....

the opamp upgrade costs were mentioned earlier. i'm going to snag the cheaper dy2000 since that chip is such an inigma, and test against opa637's, 8066, etc.
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