I just ordered one of these 60 bucks from ebay delivered. 
 
I figured the design principles were not far removed from the Vdac principle of minimalism.  I'm going to carry a shootout with my Dacmagic and report back on how it fares.  For 60 bucks, there isn't much to lose.  My way to test the waters with a R2R and NOS before forking out for the hi-end units.  It looks very modible as well.
 
If it fares well with the Dacmagic, I'll sell the dacmagic and purchase the single chip version and the PCM1793 delta sigma version.  Giving me 3 flavours for the price of 1 Dacmagic...that is the plan.
 

 

 

 

Fixed the image links.

Sweet!
 
No USB in...???
 
That could be a deal breaker with a lot of people.
 
BUT, with so many people buying USB-to-SPDIF converters USB Dac's could be a thing of the past.
 
Kingwa might be on to something with excluding USB on some of his Dac's.
 
 

Don't forget also.  USB 3 is already here........................
 
I'm waiting for A&B systems to ready more of their moded Teralink X2 - should be available next week - I'll definately place an order with the PSU as well.
 
The sweet thing is, there are 3 versions of this mini DAC with 3 different dac chip setups!!!

Quote:

sp wild said:

Don't forget also.  USB 3 is already here........................
 

Click to expand...

USB 3 has no affect on audio....
 
But it is nice to have 3 different Dac chip setups....means people will be tempted to buy all 3....and for 60bucks why not.

I too am interested in trying a NOS R2R DAC without spending a lot.
 
I've been looking at this device for a little while now and something puzzles me.
 
Unless there is more components under the board, it seems to only have one regulator, yet I believe the DIR9001 requires 3.3V and the TDA1543 3-8V with 5V being the norm, either the TDA1543's are being fed at 3.3V or I am missing something.
 
Also what is that second SMD chip for? I don't think it is a voltage regulator, it has far too many pins, and I don't think either the DIR9001 nor the TDA1543 requires any supporting chips?
 
Anyone have an educated guess at what it could be for?
 
My ideas for modding before I actually get hold of one, would be better/cleaner power supply and possibly some capacitor upgrades. I have no interest in the optical input (could the small'ish SMD chip be for that?) so will probably remove the switching mechanism to ensure correct 75 ohm termination of the coaxial input.
 
//Jan

Yeah I looked at the layout and immediately thought, modders will have a field day with this.....

 
Quote:

snip said:

I too am interested in trying a NOS R2R DAC without spending a lot.
 
I've been looking at this device for a little while now and something puzzles me.
 
Unless there is more components under the board, it seems to only have one regulator, yet I believe the DIR9001 requires 3.3V and the TDA1543 3-8V with 5V being the norm, either the TDA1543's are being fed at 3.3V or I am missing something.
 
Also what is that second SMD chip for? I don't think it is a voltage regulator, it has far too many pins, and I don't think either the DIR9001 nor the TDA1543 requires any supporting chips?
 
Anyone have an educated guess at what it could be for?
 
My ideas for modding before I actually get hold of one, would be better/cleaner power supply and possibly some capacitor upgrades. I have no interest in the optical input (could the small'ish SMD chip be for that?) so will probably remove the switching mechanism to ensure correct 75 ohm termination of the coaxial input.
 
//Jan

Click to expand...

It looks like a mini power station to me...just needs tiny people with tiny hard hats.................nah, I wouldn't have a clue about these things.
 
What pushed me over the edge was Pink Floyd from Roc Grotto had success modding the single chip version and other members modded the sigma-delta version.  Someone can earn a few bucks selling modded versions easy.

Quote:

sp wild said:

 

Click to expand...

USB 3 is already here........................

Click to expand...

and for what?

I don't know...don't follow computers that much. 
 
Is it hard to imagine that the guys with 2.5K Ayre QB9s with USB inout only....that one day in the future owners need to find vintage computers to plug in the USB which might be non existant in the future?  at least more likely than traditional audio inputs - just a guess really, so don't shoot me.

Hmm, I'm still curious as to where the power for the DIR9001 comes from, if my eyes do not deceive me, that regulator is an LM317, which would be pretty trivial to set to say 8V to get more oomph from the TDA1543's, but it is nescesarry to establish how the DIR9001 is powered first or there is a risk of frying that or it's regulator in the process.
 
It might be a 7805 though making the procedure somewhat more complicated, altering the passive IV stage is easy too and replacing those electrolytic output coupling caps is easy, squeezing the replacement caps into the case is going to be the hard part.
 
As for the included power supply, it will almost certainly be an SMPS, an in-line noise shunt or a complete replacement to a linear power supply (or batteries for that matter) will surely yield good results.
 
I'm guessing I need to stop squinting at low resolution photographs and buy one for playing with.
 
I think first I will sell my Bravo amplifier and a few tubes to finance the purchase though.
 
//Jan

The little chip by the optical jack is a 74ch00 I think, used to do things to the S/PDIF signal before it reaches the DIR9001.
 
The mystery of where the power to the receiver chip is coming from continues to baffle me, I am getting more and more convinced that the whole board is run on 3.3V
 
//J

LOL! you modders kill me.  Makes me wanna pickup my soldering iron to join in on the obvious fun.
 
Is it feasible to be powering 4 dac chips with 3.3 volts - when they need more than that?  Not that I have any clue as to what I'm saying.

Aha, I must be going blind, there is a second regulator in an SOT package right behind the switch. I reckon that drops the voltage from the LM317/LM7805 to 3.3V for feeding the DIR9001 and the 74CH00, if that is the case then it would be a very viable option to remove the larger regulator and feed the board directly from a well regulated and noise shunted 7-8V power supply or a regulated battery supply, provided that little regulator can take it, I think it should be fine with that.
 
//J

Here is another....
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-SPDIF-OPTICAL-DAC-Board-PCM1793-DIR9001-OPA2134-/300399934929
 

• This Mini DAC made with high-quality component......[size=x-small]Nichicon capacity, WIMA capacity[/size]
• Main DAC: Burr-Brown PCM1793
  --24-Bit 192kHz Sampling Advanced Segment Audio Stereo DAC
  --Dynamic Range: 113 dB THD+N: 0.001%
  --8× Oversampling Digital Filter
• This DAC can use for multimedia system, satellite radio, CD player and DVD
  player(two channel)
• Digital input receiver DIR9001
  --The receiver used is more expensive and of better quality than the popular CS8412/4/6 
  used in all other DACs. It has many more music details and accurate sound you obtain.
• [size=x-small][size=small]OPAMP: Burr-Brown OPA2134 [/size][/size]
• [size=x-small][size=small]Coaxial / Optical Input , Analog Output [/size][/size]
• Short signal path,Such as double side gold coat PCB with high quality soldering.
• Power Supply:  DC 12V , 1A (Positive Center)
• [size=x-small][size=small]PCB  Dimension: 100mm * 60mm[/size][/size]

 
 
The MUSE is here...ACTUALLY ONLY $39!!!!
 
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/HI-FI-Mini-DAC-TDA1543-DIR9001-NOS-DAC-Incl-power-ADP-S-/180536955301