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Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 525

post #7861 of 9226
11/16/08 at 4:40pm

Zero DAC Mod?

Is there a mod to force the Zero DAC to default to:

1. Coax input (instead of optical)

2. Phone (amp mode, instead of preamp mode)

It's annoying that I have to hit two buttons - after a forced delay - to listen. I almost always use Coax in, amp mode.

Any ideas on a mod to make this happen?

Thanks!
-Garret
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post #7862 of 9226
11/16/08 at 8:44pm
No mod I know that'll do that Garret....although I could be wrong.

Peete.
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post #7863 of 9226
11/17/08 at 3:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garret Jax View Post
Is there a mod to force the Zero DAC to default to:

1. Coax input (instead of optical)

2. Phone (amp mode, instead of preamp mode)

It's annoying that I have to hit two buttons - after a forced delay - to listen. I almost always use Coax in, amp mode.

Any ideas on a mod to make this happen?

Thanks!
-Garret
I wish I could do this, too.

Question: How does the RCA jack audio out compare to the headphone amp?
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post #7864 of 9226
11/17/08 at 9:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garret Jax View Post
Is there a mod to force the Zero DAC to default to:

1. Coax input (instead of optical)

2. Phone (amp mode, instead of preamp mode)

It's annoying that I have to hit two buttons - after a forced delay - to listen. I almost always use Coax in, amp mode.

Any ideas on a mod to make this happen?

Thanks!
-Garret
I recall someone putting just the DAC board and transformer into another box, removing the front switches and headphone/pre amp altogether. When I asked how he switched to coax, he said it auto-sensed it. That wouldn't help with switching in the HP amp. I guess something would need to be done to the front switch circuits to make that happen.
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post #7865 of 9226
11/17/08 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete View Post
sandchak,

I also mentioned these wires in the original reply...it was easy to miss I suppose in my huge answer. The 3 wire connector (black wires) are for power only, the two 4 wire sections to and from the pre/head amp board to the main board are the analog (L/R channel pairs of + and - signals) lines...it's possible those are reversed as finax suggests.

How to trouble shoot this section is not easily explained by text alone. Posting pics showing the cable runs and the wiring would help greatly so I can double check the connections. Label the the difference between the two cable runs (of 4 wires each) and to which connectors they are using (of the 4 on both boards)

A really simple test to check pure DAC mode would be to pull the black 3 wire power connection from it 's connector (on the H/Amp board) and see if the line level signal in pure DAC mode will pass to your speakers. This powers down the entire H/Amp section from the main pcb circuit.

Another simple test would be to pull the 2 four wire connectors from the H/Amp board effectively taking the entire H/Amp circuit out of the DAC circuit. The 3 wire power remains unconnected as well for this additional test.

Make sure you note which 4 wire assembly was connected to it's respective slot, that way you'll know the original assembly positions.

I hope that isn't confusing...give it a try

Peete.
Hi Peete,
Seems like I am having a good day today after all the hassles with non performing Zero, I was about to ship it back today, when I got an email from the seller Mr Wong (EBAY ID wsz0304) that he would ship me a brand new Zero Board (tested) GRATIS !! and I could keep the other board which doesnt function fully.. now this is what I call Great Service.. I am really very impressed by the way he and his assistant communicated with me and now this welcome gesture.. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!
Btw, I got my PH 100 this morning too and its been on the burn for the last 6 hours.. my my, what a build, I mean it looks really rock solid and to add to it all, its really brought in the much wanted warmth and mellow in my 701s - I am sure its going to get better as time goes by, currently its hooked up with my NAD c541i > Van den Hul hybrids > PH100 > 701s .. I am thoroughly enjoying..
Decided to use the Zero when its up, only as a DAC to my PC setup..
Thanks for all the help
Sandeep
PS. still cant get in touch with my friend in the States......
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post #7866 of 9226
11/17/08 at 4:22pm
WSZ 0304 is the real deal! Good to hear he came through for you. Let us know when you get it and if its a total fix.
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post #7867 of 9226
11/17/08 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bundee1 View Post
WSZ 0304 is the real deal! Good to hear he came through for you. Let us know when you get it and if its a total fix.
Sure is.. only hope the new board sorts the problem.. in any case, it takes nothing away from the sellers excellent service..
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post #7868 of 9226
11/17/08 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandchak View Post
Hi Peete,
Seems like I am having a good day today after all the hassles with non performing Zero, I was about to ship it back today, when I got an email from the seller Mr Wong (EBAY ID wsz0304) that he would ship me a brand new Zero Board (tested) GRATIS !! and I could keep the other board which doesnt function fully.. now this is what I call Great Service..

<snip>
Now, that is excellent. That's how customer service should be, rather than that ignorant and totally useless twerp I had the misfortune of buying from...

Glad you got a good result .

~Phewl.
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post #7869 of 9226
11/17/08 at 7:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AudioPhewl View Post
Now, that is excellent. That's how customer service should be, rather than that ignorant and totally useless twerp I had the misfortune of buying from...

Glad you got a good result .

~Phewl.
Yikes - guess nothing ever got resolved then? Did you at least get money back from paypal?
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post #7870 of 9226
11/17/08 at 10:17pm
Hey all!

I recently bought a HA ELEC mini dac from AudiophileChina. It uses the same DAC-chip as the Zero aswell as the same type of OPA's. I haven't gotten around to switch them out yet, although I already have a pair of LT1364's at hand. I was just wondering if it's possible to use 3*1364 in the Zero, because I have not seen any info on it. I'm also wondering if anyone is selling a 2*627 on a brown dog, I'm interested in it

I do not think a HDAM will fit though...

I hope I'm not derailing anything here!

Cheers!
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post #7871 of 9226
11/18/08 at 6:34am
A couple of weeks ago I got the Zero (HDAM/LT1364/alps/usb adapt) from Lawrence. I payed USD 275 incl airmail. Took 10 days ab HK to my place here in beautiful Horn Shire. When I ordered the Zero I was (wonderfully) unaware of the problems people have had with their Zeros from Lawrence. To make it short: I have enjoyed my Zero for a couple of weeks now playing optically out of my mac into the Zero using etys/senn650/senn280pro/SansuiSS100 (Lucinda Williams/Bob Dylan/Miles Davies/GoldbergVar/Trentemoller/Zero7/Cream). Further I feel the need to say that I had no problems whatsoever with Lawrence (fine communication etc) and the Zero just gets better by the bit. PS I'm new on this forum - love it...
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post #7872 of 9226
11/18/08 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by svanholm View Post
A couple of weeks ago I got the Zero (HDAM/LT1364/alps/usb adapt) from Lawrence. I payed USD 275 incl airmail. Took 10 days ab HK to my place here in beautiful Horn Shire. When I ordered the Zero I was (wonderfully) unaware of the problems people have had with their Zeros from Lawrence. To make it short: I have enjoyed my Zero for a couple of weeks now playing optically out of my mac into the Zero using etys/senn650/senn280pro/SansuiSS100 (Lucinda Williams/Bob Dylan/Miles Davies/GoldbergVar/Trentemoller/Zero7/Cream). Further I feel the need to say that I had no problems whatsoever with Lawrence (fine communication etc) and the Zero just gets better by the bit. PS I'm new on this forum - love it...
Glad to hear it!
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post #7873 of 9226
11/18/08 at 8:46am
Hello!

I'm new to this forum and I have have a few questions about the Zero DAC. This is probably not the right forum to ask, but it seems like this is the most active thread on this DAC

I'm considering buying a Zero DAC but I'll only use it as a external DAC connection between my PC and my reciever (not as a headphone amp).

My questions are:
Is this a good DAC (considering the price (~170$ including shipping)?
How expensive CD players will it outperform?
And the last but most important question: Is it a better DAC than the NAD T753's DAC?
Reply
post #7874 of 9226
11/18/08 at 9:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chriselv View Post
Hello!

I'm new to this forum and I have have a few questions about the Zero DAC. This is probably not the right forum to ask, but it seems like this is the most active thread on this DAC

I'm considering buying a Zero DAC but I'll only use it as a external DAC connection between my PC and my reciever (not as a headphone amp).

My questions are:
Is this a good DAC (considering the price (~170$ including shipping)?
How expensive CD players will it outperform?
And the last but most important question: Is it a better DAC than the NAD T753's DAC?
You are the right place, and I am sure soon you will have all the answers you need.
I am as new as you are, so I rather wait and watch !!
Reply
post #7875 of 9226
11/18/08 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chriselv View Post
Hello!

I'm new to this forum and I have have a few questions about the Zero DAC. This is probably not the right forum to ask, but it seems like this is the most active thread on this DAC

I'm considering buying a Zero DAC but I'll only use it as a external DAC connection between my PC and my reciever (not as a headphone amp).

My questions are:
Is this a good DAC (considering the price (~170$ including shipping)?
How expensive CD players will it outperform?
And the last but most important question: Is it a better DAC than the NAD T753's DAC?
Oh Btw, if you finally decide to get one and from ebay, get it from seller wsz0304 , he is most favored in the forum for his impeccable service.. well, thats how far my contribution goes..
Reply
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