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Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 18

post #256 of 9242
12/22/07 at 3:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by edguetzow View Post
Just to give a little update on our shipments.

My tracking indicates that my parcel has "Arrived and is being processed" in the US.

In regards to the opamp chip mentioned (L1364), how many chips are required? I have never had the opportunity to try such a switch as I'm a newbie to this stuff! I think I might try it if your positive reviews warrant the attempt. Firstly though, I want to try the Zero with its onboard chips.
Good to hear your Zero's on the way! Yep, you got the right idea. That stock Opamp (OPA2604) sounds pretty darn good after the initial break-in. Later on, a good one to try is that LM4562. There are two additional ones that can be changed out, but the main one on the main board has the biggest impact. When I get those 1364s in, after some time with them, I'll post my thoughts here, so others can decide if they want to give them a try or not. Have a good one!
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post #257 of 9242
12/22/07 at 3:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hellenback View Post
I've been watching this little unit since I first saw it on ebay (and there were only 2 pages of impressions in this thread)! Can anyone save me a lot of time and sum up it's sound and value? Is it as good as some of the well known DACs and if so which ones have been compared? Thanks for any help anyone can provide.
Well, it is still so new that only impressions exist so far. After the review, I did compare the DAC side with my Entec 205.2 and the Zero was much better (stock Opamp OPA2604). The headphone amp section is great, but nothing SS to compare it too yet. As you can see in the detailed pics on eBay, ZERO NEW 24BIT 192KHZ DAC +HEAD PHONE AMP - (eBay item 320197483729 end time Dec-23-07 22:23:20 PST) it is a quality build with less than 1% tolerances. The other thread http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/zer...ac-amp-263482/ has some additional impressions as well. I've used and abused mine and it sounds wonderful. For the price, there isn't anything out there right now that compares features, specs, SQ and build quality without costing much more. It is a sweet deal. Have a good one!
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post #258 of 9242
12/22/07 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shopper View Post
They will certainly want to give them a try anyway... as a sure upgrade from the OPA2604.

You only need 1 LT1364, to put in the main DAC board. If you want, you can try and use it in the headphone amp board, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shopper View Post
Here are the best ideas I came up with so far for upgrading the analog stage of the DAC: LT1364, LT1469, LME49720, AD826. Pick yours

Will probably just have to try them all
We just knew you would! It would also be nice to make a mini list of Opamps that work well with ALL types of music, like the OPA2604 does. That way, if someone wishes to optimize to all types, they have less of a challenge finding a sweet one. ? Do you think that's a good idea?

Also, a separate list of ones for the headphone amp board might be useful as well. I've been thinking about that one for a while. ? Do you think that's a good idea too?

Later....
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post #259 of 9242
12/22/07 at 2:49pm
when it comes to trying your own op amps is there anything that you need yo look for? I heard you mention dual and single op amps. Do different systems use different ones? Am i correct in thinking that dual op amps mean you need two of them?

I don't really understand.
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post #260 of 9242
12/22/07 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shopper View Post
A stereo DAC's analog stage requires two opamps to filter/buffer each channel. Dual opamps (like those found in the Zero) are two in one. So if you want to use single opamps in the Zero, you need to mount two of them on some kind of two-singles-to-one-dual adapter (like those by Browndog). Putting a single opamp in a socket for a dual opamp will probably burn your opamp.
Why would you want to put two singles in to the zero? What advantages would it have?
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post #261 of 9242
12/22/07 at 5:41pm
Oh right i see. So all you would do is buy two good singles and put them in an adaptor and slot them on to where the original op amp was? I take it they obviously have to be a matching pair. If i get on of these DACs will you advise of places i can buy the op amps from and advise at which ones would work.
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post #262 of 9242
12/22/07 at 5:50pm
yeah that be great. I haven't ordered one yet as i was waiting for other peoples orders to come through first.

One last question: Does having two single op amps as opposed to one dual op make any difference in sound? I wondered if the principle of two are better than one would apply to this???
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post #263 of 9242
12/23/07 at 7:33am
I would like to know what came with it besides the box itself (power cords, anything else)?
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post #264 of 9242
12/23/07 at 9:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonM View Post
I would like to know what came with it besides the box itself (power cords, anything else)?
Power Cord, Owner's Manual and 3' Retail optical cable.
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post #265 of 9242
12/23/07 at 9:34am
Ah thats ace, so basically everything you need to hook it up. I'm seriously considering buying this as it suites my needs perfectly.
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post #266 of 9242
12/23/07 at 9:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonM View Post
Ah thats ace, so basically everything you need to hook it up. I'm seriously considering buying this as it suites my needs perfectly.
Good for you! This seller: ZERO 24/192 DAC D A CONVERTOR , HEAD FI AMP , BRAND NEW - (eBay item 230206044408 end time Dec-29-07 23:33:03 PST) is the one most have been using on ebay. The unit he sells has an upgraded transformer, while the other sellers units, haven't been verified yet. So, this is probably the best way. Good luck, and happy holidays!!
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post #267 of 9242
12/23/07 at 2:04pm
Psssst...don't tell the wife but I just ordered one.
Head-Fi.org should be illegal.
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post #268 of 9242
12/23/07 at 2:09pm
So what other major dacs and amps has this been compared to? Any more?
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post #269 of 9242
12/23/07 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IceClass View Post
Psssst...don't tell the wife but I just ordered one.
Head-Fi.org should be illegal.
LOL! My wife already knows and I'm still breathing!

Just finished all my Christmas shopping yesterday so I'm not in the doghouse anymore. Now, I can concentrate on further spoiling myself and add an extra gift or two for the better half.

Of course, I'll go through much the same this 2008 when I spring for a Gilmore!

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post #270 of 9242
12/23/07 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8 View Post
So what other major dacs and amps has this been compared to? Any more?
Sorry! I think some may get theirs on Monday, or Wednesday. Nothing more major than my Entech 205.2, which it stomped on. You should get one for the flexibility it will give you with all your other goodies! Happy Holidays!
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