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Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 204

post #3046 of 9242
5/19/08 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post
A friend of mine, both a muso and a hi-fi guru, recommends using coaxial as opposed to optical. Thankfully though, the Optocoupler can be had as toslink to mini, which will be perfect for my MacBook Pro.



You just answered my next question! I want to change the knob on the zero and remove the noise on the HP/pre-amp stage, so if this solves it, i'll dust off my soldering skills at some point.
My #1 Zero had noise I couldn't get rid of by cleaning, so this was a great time to see if it was the cause (for sure). In my case, it was.

I'd like to find out which of the new (blue square looking) ALPS pots would work in the Zero. Even if it didn't have detents and was smooth, this would be fine for my #2 Zero. Any suggestions out there??
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post #3047 of 9242
5/19/08 at 12:54pm
Hey Penchum, I've been reading around on Head-Fi (damn curse), and I remembered you did the review of this amp with HD650's, but you've obviously also heard them through much more expensive/higher quality amps. Do you think this Zero amp is able to push your 600ohm monsters to their full potential??

Also, I'm not able to read through the now thousands of posts... has anyone found some headphones which have some great synergy with this dac/amp?
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post #3048 of 9242
5/19/08 at 1:00pm

ZERO DAC as preamp

I am using

DVD player optical out -> ZERO DAC -> Tube hybrid amp -> B&W 602 S3 bookshelf.

I am using Stock OPAMP OP2604 then changed to OPA627 on browndog later found the later too bright/too much details since I want tube like sound.

I wonder if the following if good for tube like in the DAC Section: -
LT 1361
LT 1469

LT1028
DY2000

I like so much AD797, but as i understand it cant be used right ?
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post #3049 of 9242
5/19/08 at 2:04pm
Hi!

I'm total newbie in these opa chancing things so excuse my questions. I opened my zero and i saw two chips in the amp section. If i want to replace them i need two opa's too? For example two these? Linear Technology - LT1361 - Dual and Quad 50MHz, 800V/µs Op Amps LT1361 LT1361CN8#PBF LT1361CS8#TR LT1361CS8#PBF LT1361CN8 LT1361CS8 LT1361CS8#TRPBF
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post #3050 of 9242
5/19/08 at 8:08pm
Great job on the pot swap Pench !!!
You should notice a marked increase in transparency, detail retrieval, and a slight improvement in dynamics and imaging*. It may be more noticeable when used a preamp for the T-Amp/speaker rig for the latter.

*referring to HP/pre-amp section only.

Please post your impressions when you have a chance to "crank it" so to speak

Regards,

Peete.

PS My Zero/HDAM module is only 100 klm's from me now, wonder how long it will take Can Post to deliver it ? My guess is 48-72 hrs,( many coffee breaks, and 2 trips to the peeler club for the postal worker ) either Wed or Thurs. I'll be shocked if it shows up tomorrow Today is a holiday ( Victoria Day, yeah Queen Victoria, old bat )
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post #3051 of 9242
5/19/08 at 9:06pm
Ok I need another OpAmp suggestion. I prefer the sound of the 2604 over the OPA627 but sadly my 2604 burst into flame. Well maybe not flames but it crackled and spit out a bunch of smoke. I have no idea what happened but I was swapping OpAMPs back and forth and then poof. Now my nose is filled the smell of burnt electronics. The good news is that the Zero is fine.

So anyway I'd like somethng with a lot of bright detail that isn't the OPA627.
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post #3052 of 9242
5/19/08 at 9:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by coredump View Post
Ok I need another OpAmp suggestion. I prefer the sound of the 2604 over the OPA627 but sadly my 2604 burst into flame. Well maybe not flames but it crackled and spit out a bunch of smoke. I have no idea what happened but I was swapping OpAMPs back and forth and then poof. Now my nose is filled the smell of burnt electronics. The good news is that the Zero is fine.

So anyway I'd like somethng with a lot of bright detail that isn't the OPA627.
Oooops......sorry to hear of the mishap. Hopefully your Zero is ok.

Maybe a LM4562 ? It's bright(ish) and has good bottom end,smooth mids. Check Penchums notes on the opamps he tested on the first page of the thread.

Peete.
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post #3053 of 9242
5/19/08 at 11:34pm
It's kind of funny really. The 2604 has a crack going down the middle. I wonder if I swapped them out too fast. The 627 really heats things up but they sit above the board. The 2604 sits right on it.

I got some memsinks I can put on the 627s but they are a bit big. Will anything short out if I use one cooler for both chips?
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post #3054 of 9242
5/19/08 at 11:43pm
Well I got my D5000 today, and with the Zero I would have to say it sounds great. Also to make the day even better, my LT1364 "samples" came today too
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post #3055 of 9242
5/19/08 at 11:51pm
That's good to hear snicewicz, I was considering the D2000's along with this DAC/Amp..... hopefully they'll sound great together if I end up ordering them both
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post #3056 of 9242
5/20/08 at 12:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by coredump View Post
It's kind of funny really. The 2604 has a crack going down the middle. I wonder if I swapped them out too fast. The 627 really heats things up but they sit above the board. The 2604 sits right on it.

I got some memsinks I can put on the 627s but they are a bit big. Will anything short out if I use one cooler for both chips?


You can use one if you want just make sure the thermal grease makes no contact with (if it's conductive, like Arctic silver) with any metal legs causing a short. Not a lot of room in there so be careful. I wouldn't bother with the heat sink but that's just me.

Have you damped the crystal can ? Some blu-tak on it helps. You might want to try isolating the Zero from vibration. Vibration dampening of the entire unit is a worthwhile tweak that improves overall SQ for not a lot of money (DIY roller blocks are excellent for this).

Peete.
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post #3057 of 9242
5/20/08 at 12:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snicewicz View Post
Well I got my D5000 today, and with the Zero I would have to say it sounds great. Also to make the day even better, my LT1364 "samples" came today too

How much were the Denon cans ? I've lots of good things about these HP's.


Peete.
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post #3058 of 9242
5/20/08 at 12:28am
I got them for 430 from amazon. It is a good price for them. I had to get next day shipping so all together it was 450.
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post #3059 of 9242
5/20/08 at 3:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snicewicz View Post
Well I got my D5000 today, and with the Zero I would have to say it sounds great. Also to make the day even better, my LT1364 "samples" came today too
I have a similar rig (As mentioned earlier, 1354 in DAC, 1469 in AMP, with heatsinks)... they haven't reached 100 hours yet, but it's already so smooth... I bet you'll enjoy it too!
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post #3060 of 9242
5/20/08 at 3:24am
I have a couple questions about shipping. Here are the last three messages of the tracking of my Zero...

15-May-2008 United States of America Arrived and is being processed.
15-May-2008 United States of America Pending customs inspection.
19-May-2008 United States of America Unsuccessful delivery.

I'm wondering... does everyone experience the 'Pending customs inspection' period?

Also, does unsuccessful delivery mean that it didn't get through customs or does it mean they tried to deliver the package to my house when I wasn't home?

Thanks.
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