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The SkeletonDAC
Jul 4, 2012 at 1:31 AM Post #151 of 222
It does not detach, it is recognized and stays in the system as it should, the sound is good also, only problem is it drags the audio slider down in Windows 7 and on my Macbook it mutes the audio or drags the audio. Very strage.
 
The source does not matter, Spotify, Foobar, iTunes all do the same. 
 
Could post pictures later on.
 
Jul 4, 2012 at 5:39 AM Post #152 of 222
Hmm, hmm, I might have solved the problem, at work though, so can't try solving it now. I have the C14 cap shorted it seems, as i placed it level with C13 and soldered the holes two holes that are further apart together (which I shouldn't have done, of course). 
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Jul 4, 2012 at 2:27 PM Post #155 of 222
Seems I got it working now, soaking it in alcohol for cleaning seems to have done the trick. Checken pins 21 and 22 too, no short there, thanks for the tip Awro!
 
Nice, now to install it in the machine it belogs...
 
Jul 4, 2012 at 10:58 PM Post #156 of 222
Quote:
lehtinel said:
Seems I got it working now, soaking it in alcohol for cleaning seems to have done the trick. Checken pins 21 and 22 too, no short there, thanks for the tip Awro!
 
Nice, now to install it in the machine it belogs...
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Please report if inserting it inside a computer case introduces EMI in the audio out. I would still enclose it in a metal shield, just to be safe. 
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Jul 5, 2012 at 3:25 AM Post #158 of 222
Quote:
kimlaroux said:
 
Please report if inserting it inside a computer case introduces EMI in the audio out. I would still enclose it in a metal shield, just to be safe. 
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Yeah, will see how it sounds once inside the case. I've got small metal shields from a Cambridge Audio amp Im trying to salvage, might just cover the IC & chip part of the SkeletonDAC.
 
Jul 10, 2012 at 5:54 AM Post #159 of 222
Okay, so far I've watched a couple of movies and listened to music through the DAC, clear and crisp sound, no EMI noise that I can pick up, works great. I would say that the output is better than on the built-in chip of my motherboard, but, thats how it should be :wink:
 
Thanks for the desing cobaltmute and for the delivery TomB! 
 
Jul 25, 2012 at 8:04 PM Post #161 of 222
+1 thanks for Cobalmute for the design and TomB for the kit.  I received the kit today and built the DAC during my kids nap (a long one thankfully).  For the PCM I used the wipe technique, created a few solder bridges and used wick to clean them up.  I used the Elna RFS Simmic II 47uf caps and it sounds really great to me. I love hearing new detail in song, in one song I can hear the guys chair creaking as he moves around near the end of the track.
 
I used the space where the transformer would have gone to put in RCA connectors.
 
 
 

 
Jul 25, 2012 at 8:44 PM Post #162 of 222
Quote:
civilmonkey said:
+1 thanks for Cobalmute for the design and TomB for the kit.  I received the kit today and built the DAC during my kids nap (a long one thankfully).  For the PCM I used the wipe technique, created a few solder bridges and used wick to clean them up.  I used the Elna RFS Simmic II 47uf caps and it sounds really great to me. I love hearing new detail in song, in one song I can hear the guys chair creaking as he moves around near the end of the track.
 
I used the space where the transformer would have gone to put in RCA connectors.
 
 
 
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Hey - looking good!  You did a really great job on those RCA jacks and the Elna's, too.  The bass is a bit clipped feeding headphones directly with those Elna's, but connecting to an amp gives you all the bass that exists anywhere, period.  (-3db at 0.34Hz with a 10K pot)  They sound about as good as a film cap, too.
 
Another SkeletonDAC lives!
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Jul 25, 2012 at 8:54 PM Post #163 of 222
Quote:
tomb said:
Hey - looking good!  You did a really great job on those RCA jacks and the Elna's, too.  The bass is a bit clipped feeding headphones directly with those Elna's, but connecting to an amp gives you all the bass that exists anywhere, period.  (-3db at 0.34Hz with a 10K pot)  They sound about as good as a film cap, too.
 
Another SkeletonDAC lives!
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Thanks, the DAC is feeding a CTH amp and lots of bass, punch and detail.  To be honest, I put the Elna's in based on faith, that one line on your site saying 'Some people have expressed a preference for these caps over any other on the AlienDAC'.  I might have to build another just to see how the Elna's compare to film caps.  
 
I forgot to mention in my first post, and should mention for the benefit of others that to get the RCA jacks in I had to sand the PCB around 2 mm shorter lengthwise as the nut on the back of the jack stops the PCB from seating properly.  Also, the nuts stopped the lid from closing fully, so the ridge on the top lid was also sanded slightly where the RCA jacks are.  The jacks were tight fit, but if you're willing to sand a bit and take your time, not a problem.
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 5:20 PM Post #164 of 222
I've been really keen on using those small step-down transformers with IEMs lately in my portable rig, they sound great, and really ensure that the IEMs get enough current. I'm not sure the skeletonDAC swings enough voltage, but I think on the next skeleton I build, I may try throwing the step-down transformers on it. The transformers will block any DC, so I should be fine without any output caps, right?
 
I will of course report back on the results.
 
Nov 7, 2012 at 11:45 AM Post #165 of 222
Hi, I just wondered, is the Skeleton DAC safe to use with the Millet Starving Student Hybrid? I read that the SSMH had destroyed a few Bantam / Alien DACs.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/445851/starving-student-blows-up-dacs
 
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