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Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 80

post #1186 of 9226
1/31/08 at 12:22pm
Just got the Zero.

First impression is that it sounds really good

One "problem" though, is it possible to lower the gain a bit by hand? As it is now, I have the volume as low as possible without the channel imbalance to kick in, and with the ms2i, the volume is now 70-75dB. I would rather have it so that I can listen at 55-60dB the lowest. This is with Zeros amp and dac.

EDIT: With the 32ohm dt990 05, the volume is about 78dB at the lowest possible.
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post #1187 of 9226
1/31/08 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henmyr View Post
Just got the Zero.

First impression is that it sounds really good

One "problem" though, is it possible to lower the gain a bit by hand? As it is now, I have the volume as low as possible without the channel imbalance to kick in, and with the ms2i, the volume is now 70-75dB. I would rather have it so that I can listen at 55-60dB the lowest. This is with Zeros amp and dac.
Not that I know of, but can you back down the source? If not, maybe Lawrence can advise you on how to do it internally?
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post #1188 of 9226
1/31/08 at 12:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Not that I know of, but can you back down the source? If not, maybe Lawrence can advise you on how to do it internally?
I'm using x-fi -> asio-> optical -> zero. If I lower the volume in foobar, wont the quality be lowered?

Even the DT880 250ohm is around 76dB the lowest.
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post #1189 of 9226
1/31/08 at 12:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henmyr View Post
I'm using x-fi -> asio-> optical -> zero. If I lower the volume in foobar, wont the quality be lowered?

Even the DT880 250ohm is around 76dB the lowest.
In XP, I think that is true. I know there is postings about it, but I read them long enough ago that I have forgotten! Someone had posted not too long ago that the gain decreases during burn-in as well. This was on the units newer than mine, so I can't verify it for you. Let me know anything you find out or experience, please? I'm interested to find out as well.
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post #1190 of 9226
1/31/08 at 1:33pm
this is my first impressions, i only have had a few hours with the zero. I think it sounds very good! the built in amp is very good, i think the midrange is more present than on my DV. I don't have to use dual LT Opamps in the dac section but in headphone amp? and those red ( idon't know what it is called) that are marked on the pic is'nt same. are they lower quality?






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post #1191 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by davve View Post
this is my first impressions, i only have had a few hours with the zero. I think it sounds very good! the built in amp is very good, i think the midrange is more present than on my DV. I don't have to use dual LT Opamps in the dac section but in headphone amp? and those red ( idon't know what it is called) that are marked on the pic is'nt same. are they lower quality?
Ok, this is my bad. I'll try to explain a little better. There are single Opamps (like the OPA627) that require two of them on an adapter to work in a dual Opamp's socket. The Zero uses dual Opamps (like the LT1364) both in the DAC and Headphone amp. The LT's you have are "dual" Opamps and require no adapter anywhere in the Zero.

Are you talking about the red boxes to the left of the Opamp in the pic?
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post #1192 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Ok, this is my bad. I'll try to explain a little better. There are single Opamps (like the OPA627) that require two of them on an adapter to work in a dual Opamp's socket. The Zero uses dual Opamps (like the LT1364) both in the DAC and Headphone amp. The LT's you have are "dual" Opamps and require no adapter anywhere in the Zero.

Are you talking about the red boxes to the left of the Opamp in the pic?

yes the red boxes, haven't seen those before in the zero. but in the headphone amp there are two opamps? so i need two there?
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post #1193 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by davve View Post
yes the red boxes, haven't seen those before in the zero. but in the headphone amp there are two opamps? so i need two there?
Correct. One for each channel, L&R.
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post #1194 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Correct. One for each channel, L&R.
Yours seems to be an updated version! What other changes have you noticed?
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post #1195 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Your Audigy 2 ZS has coaxial out from the flexi-jack (top one) on the back, correct?
Yeah, I think it has but Im probably going to upgrade to XtremeMusic.


[Solved]

Anyway, I looked at ebay and I didnt see any Zero DAC`s for sale.
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post #1196 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Correct. One for each channel, L&R.
Okey didn't think on that becouse i only ordered one LT1361 and 1469
the metal chip/processor in the middle or what it is, on mine its texted VX-8111 49.1520 Mhz
whats the diffrence between 1361CN8 and 1361CN8#PBF




here you go!

ZERO 24/192 DAC D A CONVERTOR , HEAD FI AMP , BRAND NEW - eBay (item 330207889454 end time Feb-04-08 00:28:28 PST)
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post #1197 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:49pm
Thanks.
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post #1198 of 9226
1/31/08 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by davve View Post
Okey didn't think on that becouse i only ordered one LT1361
the metal chip/processor in the middle or what it is, on mine its texted VX-8111 49.1520 Mhz
No problem. Yours has two big red boxes, mine has two big yellow boxes.
I don't think it matters much.

What do you have for an Opamp inventory?
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post #1199 of 9226
1/31/08 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by davve View Post
and those red ( idon't know what it is called) that are marked on the pic is'nt same. are they lower quality?
These are 12V relays. The decoded signal is switched between Phones amplifier and Preamp output.

Quote:
Originally Posted by davve View Post
the metal chip/processor in the middle or what it is, on mine its texted VX-8111 49.1520 Mhz
This is a quartz crystal oscillator which feeds the DAC (and the receiver chip) on the bottom side of the circuit board. The different numbers could be production day/week or a related number.

Yes... the Zero has a bottom side, but no pictures yet. After burn-in I'll take two or three.
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post #1200 of 9226
1/31/08 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
No problem. Yours has two big red boxes, mine has two big yellow boxes.
I don't think it matters much.

What do you have for an Opamp inventory?
Okay can you help me out wich i can use in hp amp and dac.
I have one 1361CN8, one 1361CN8#PBF, one 1469IN8#PBF, two 1364CN8#PBF. some is named CN8 and IN8 whats the diffrent if gonna order i want the hole name becouse there seems to be diffrence.
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