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Impulse buy - Entech 205.2 - Page 2

post #16 of 66
2/28/07 at 1:06am
Thread Starter 
Hi keanej6, I have to agree with you on the DAC adding clarity in music. I listened to this DAC with both a Headfive and my Little Dot II++ and the quality was amazing, I listened to it through an X-Fi with FLAC. I want to test it out with some CD's.


Edit* anyone hear from the seller yet? He hasn't replied to two of my messages so far.
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post #17 of 66
2/28/07 at 6:16am

Entech 205 vs 203

The 205.2 has an improved analog output stage. Besides the extra filtering the 2 op-amps are operated in class A with LED-biased constant current loads. Then each channel has a current buffer inside the feedback loop (complementary pair of emitter followers running about 2.5 ma bias current). Then a relay driven by a muting circuit keyed by the data sync detector. Also it has an extra 5 volt regulator, 6 total regulators counting the + and - 15 volt for the analog circuits. Oh and the box is twice as big like 8 inches deep with a thick front panel.

Subjectively, the Crystal DAC (CS4329) is very solid with a "forward" dynamic detail which mates well with the Burr-Brown amp (OPA2134). In terms of sound and specifications I think it's a lot like the CS4398, just 10 years older.
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post #18 of 66
2/28/07 at 7:51am
How does the Entech compare to the two Firestone DACs Fubar II and Spitfire?
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post #19 of 66
2/28/07 at 7:55am
Nuts, I'm getting the urge to sell my 0404 and use an X-Fi + Number Cruncher. I game a lot so the sound processing capabilities of the X-Fi would be lovely. Damn you head-fi!
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post #20 of 66
2/28/07 at 12:07pm
Does anyone know if the Entech 205.2 allows op-amp rolling? In other words, are the op-amps socketed or soldered onto the circuit board?

Damnit...I haven't even received my Zhaolu 2.5C and I'm already looking at another DAC! Blasted Head-Fi!!!!
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post #21 of 66
2/28/07 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecclesand View Post
Damnit...I haven't even received my Zhaolu 2.5C and I'm already looking at another DAC! Blasted Head-Fi!!!!
Why are you looking at the Entech? I thought it was in the same neighbourhood as a Zhaolu. Would be a sideways step rather than an upgrade.

Then again, having both is always nice.
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post #22 of 66
2/28/07 at 1:50pm
Like everyone else...just wondering if it sounds different or better. I will probably pick up the Entech...audition both...and then sell the one I don't want. Or, I may just keep both!!!!
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post #23 of 66
2/28/07 at 3:31pm
darn... just when I had my mind set on an emu 0404... you guys just had to throw this one out there

I do have a question though, I kind of would like the ability to use USB as an input. I've looked around for usb to coaxial/toslink converters and all I've found are DIY solutions and items that resemble this one from newegg:

Turtle Beach Audio Advantage micro



would pairing the turtle beach AA micro and the entech 205.2 together be a wise move or should I just stick to an emu?

My apologies for possibly derailing/hijacking the thread...
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post #24 of 66
2/28/07 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Advil View Post
Edit* anyone hear from the seller yet? He hasn't replied to two of my messages so far.
I didn't contact him at all, but I got my tracking number today! Quite excited.

edit:
DAC has shipped and I should have it tomorrow. I'll post again when I get it about the condition of the unit and any differences to my not-well-trained ears it makes!
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post #25 of 66
2/28/07 at 11:12pm
Simply put, you will not do better for an external DAC than this one at that price. Get em' while you can.
And you can plug THREE sources into this bad boy people (1 optical and 2 coax). Great DAC! I'm strongly considering getting a second one myself.
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post #26 of 66
3/1/07 at 3:38am
Thread Starter 
Anyone heard from the seller yet?
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post #27 of 66
3/1/07 at 1:46pm
Advil - do you mean that the seller has not actually responded to successful bids???
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post #28 of 66
3/1/07 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by john_ops View Post
Advil - do you mean that the seller has not actually responded to successful bids???
Yeah exactly. I asked him about the product before and after I bought the item and still no reply.
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post #29 of 66
3/1/07 at 10:27pm
Meanwhile back at the ranch, JC here is listening to Stan Getz through his custom-modded 205.2 Number Cruncher DAC. Life is sweet.

To answer the question about op-amp rolling, it's not as easy as the 203. Installing a socket was actually easier but I encountered some stability (oscillation) issues with an LM6172 op-amp and had to make additional modifications to stabilize the output stage.
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post #30 of 66
3/3/07 at 12:02am
Mine came in today. It's definitely used - lots of black marks on the exterior. Got a couple off with just a washcloth and water at least. Don't really know what the Phase button is for, but the button is much softer than the Select button on the other side.

That said, the unit is in working condition! Plugged in the optical from my iMac and RCA out to my PA2V2 (only amp I have for now) and my HD580s are ready to go.
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