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Question about Audio Alchemy DDEv1.1 DAC

post #1 of 3
3/12/10 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 
My father just give me an old Audio Alchemy DDEv1.1 DAC, it uses CS8412 receiver and CS4303 DAC. Its analog out consists of OP275GP opamp and discrete output (?) This DAC is so old that Cirrus Logic don't support them anymore

Sound wise, it's quite good, separation is nicely laid out, the soundstage is quite big and the detail wasn't so bad after all. Anyone have any experience with CS4303 DAC and have its datasheet? I would like to know how this old DAC stack up with current DACs.

My source are all in 16-bit 44.1kHz Redbook CD so its a non issue to me, fed to digital out from X-Fi XtremeMusic (coax from SPDIF_IO pins, not from flexijack). Stock PSU has been changed to linear but unregulated supply as the stock one blew up because its lousy 3.5mm jack input to the DAC

Some pics of the internals if anyone interested:


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post #2 of 3
3/12/10 at 11:16pm
Some of the older DAC's sound quite good. Many of us equate newer with better and it is not always so, glad you are enjoying your unit and perhaps an new regulated and linear PSU is in order.
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post #3 of 3
3/13/10 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 
As you could see the internals, its already been regulated so I don't see much point going for regulated PSU.

Anyhow it got me thinking, whether is it worth to buy high end soundcard such as Xonar STX (or maybe a crazy card like Cantatis Overture 192) as an upgrade from this? No doubt that the newer spec DAC is better but there is a lot of things that matter when it comes to sound quality rather than spec alone. I would like some input regarding this matter
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