The Antelope Zodiac / Zodiac + / Zodiac Gold DAC Thread - Page 17

Ahh, I am fairly interested in that... the provided power supply does leave a little something to be desired.  I suppose that would mean I am not returning it, if I buy a custom power supply though huh?  I wonder what their other power supply for the gold actually is and whether they will offer that for sale separately as well.

It seems both headphone jacks are identical according to the manual pdf, I was just wondering if they had 2 for impedance matching or something.  Too bad I don't really have any duplicate headphones.  Regardless, my friend likes to listen far louder than I, so it is convenient to have us each with our own volume controls anyhow.

alternative

http://www.teddypardo.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigzStudio 

 

I recently sent an email to Welborne Labs with a question about them being able to create a nicer power supply for the Antelope Zodiac+, as the supplied unit is a bit chincy.  I sent them detailed information about the current power supply with pictures/ratings.  Here is the reply I received.  

 

 

"Yes, the Antelope DACs look very nice.  We can provide a high quality 18V power supply to replace the wallwart.  

 

Yeah, I believe Antelope will be offering their own replacement power supplies in the future....but I would like to try a new power supply sooner rather than later.  As long as it is high quality (which I trust Welborne to be) and it matches the specs perfectly of the stock unit, there should be no issue.  

Interesting link Dyno, thanks for that....I will take a look at his products.  

Yeah I mean, I am not too keen on waiting either... I was just wondering what they consider an upgraded power supply to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BebopMcJiggy 

Yeah I mean, I am not too keen on waiting either... I was just wondering what they consider an upgraded power supply to be.

I will find out and post details of what they do in their power supplies to make them better and prices.  Here is a link to some of their regular offerings.  Right now I am creating some vector files for Welborne with dimensions of the current power supply and connector and will shoot it off to them.  I found the actual power supply on Globtek's website, however the connector looks different on the site for some reason.    Just search this model# on their site:  GT-41062-1818-T3.  

BTW I have no affiliation in any way with Welborne.  

The plug is a 2.1 mm DC type.

I almost ordered a Paul Hynes SR18 2 months ago. He now has 2 in the queue. About $500 shipped to USA.

I mean it's pretty clear approximately what would be in a welbourne power supply, I meant what does antelope consider an upgraded power supply.  Yours has a GT-41062-1818-T3 which seems to be the same one pictured in the 6moons article but mine has something entirely different, mine came with a SYS 1319-3018-T3 (sunny euro or something like that not globtek).  Yours appears to be rated for 18w 18v 1a while mine is 30w 18v 1.67a.  I wonder if it would be okay to go with like 18v 2a output on the power supply?  In any event I can take pics when I get home tonight I might have the model wrong but it's sunny euro and 18v 1.67a for sure.

Argh that is interesting....that they changed the power supply. Argh!  Oh well.  

Here is the reply I got from Welborne:

"
Thank you for the detailed connector drawing.  Our power supplies are designed with an emphasis on low noise.  The circuit board paths are kept short and designed for low ground/return noise, we use low noise Schottky rectifier diodes and the power transformer is selected for low noise.  We do use very good quality parts and once again these are all selected to minimize noise and ensure a very low impedance power supply.

We normally provide a 3 foot umbilical cord with the power supplies but shorter is better so if you can locate the power supply next to the DAC then a 1 foot cord would be best.

"

I am going to go ahead and order one and I will let you guys know in my review the differences if any.  

Just to show I'm not crazy ;p

Also the default output of the balanced xlrs was way above 4dBu for me, turning the trimpot clockwise turns the volume down and counterclockwise up. I believe it is 15 full rotations to get from min to max and vice versa.

Strange I wonder why the variation of the power supply.  

Regardless, I went ahead and just sent payment for a power supply from Welborne labs.  They have to order a special connector so it will be about a week or so before I get it.  It will have a 1 foot length umbilical (higher quality cable) going from the power supply to the Antelope and of course the IEC inlet on the power supply as well.  Will be nice not to have the 6 foot long small cable going from the stock wallwart style power supply anymore.  I believe they use 18 gauge conductors for the umbilical.  The actual case of the unit will look similar to this:  http://www.welbornelabs.com/squeeze.htm  .... I chose the black color chasis to match the Antelope.  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by BebopMcJiggy 

Just to show I'm not crazy ;p

 

 

Also the default output of the balanced xlrs was way above 4dBu for me, turning the trimpot clockwise turns the volume down and counterclockwise up. I believe it is 15 full rotations to get from min to max and vice versa.

 

 

I'm pretty sure this is the one I have; was too tired to check last night though.

I first tested it a -0db output with a 0dbfs 1kHz sine wave and measured 4.80vAC & 4.99vAC. I adjusted them both to 4.99vAC.

Then some results with various Zodiac+ volume settings:

"-20" - .420/.402

"-10" - 1.350/1.376

"-5" - 1.780/1.798

"-3" - 2.398/2.429

"-0" - 4.99/4.99Quote:

My preamp can work with 5vAC so I just dialed them in.

Originally Posted by BebopMcJiggy 

Just to show I'm not crazy ;p

 

Also the default output of the balanced xlrs was way above 4dBu for me, turning the trimpot clockwise turns the volume down and counterclockwise up. I believe it is 15 full rotations to get from min to max and vice versa.

I'll probably go ahead and order a psu... I'm really leaning towards keeping it or returning it for the base model.  Probably just gonna keep it though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BebopMcJiggy 

I'll probably go ahead and order a psu... I'm really leaning towards keeping it or returning it for the base model.  Probably just gonna keep it though.

How many hours do you think you have on your Antelope so far?  I would love to hear your impressions post the 200 hrs. mark.  Yeah, from what I understand the sound quality is identical to the lesser priced unit, you just get more features in the + model like the word clock input, etc.  I actually have a separate room dedicated for studio/recording use and I will be using the extras features / inputs and outputs, so I went for the more expensive model.  

Well I don't think I'll be using the aes output or the word clock input any time soon, but I am still leaning towards just keeping the +.  Partially because I have no idea when the base model will actually be released.

It's been on since mid day Saturday with maybe a few hours off so about 100 hours?  

@TigzStudio

I would appreciate it if you can share your impression of this DAC with Audio-GD's DAC (It seems you have Ref-5 in the past).  It will be even better if you can compare Antelope with Ref-1/7/8.  I am in the middle of deciding new DAC in this level and will really appreciate your feedback!

Thanks!