Long gone. Benchmark DAC3 HGC now, which sounds better to me.

The usual procedure is to remove the Wima caps and replace with your choice; I now use a pair of 6uF Russian KBG PIO caps outside the box (they are BIG) and Teflon bypass caps inside, but you can leave the Wimas; long burn in time for some caps.  Remove the large SMD caps and replace with...

Hi, yes, all the solder pads parallel the original caps.  And from memory, I am pretty certain the SMD chip caps parallel each other, so any new ones will parallel them. If you look through this thread all will be explained.

  Quote: Thanks, I have to limit my costs, as I have other expensive hobbies!  

My Chameleon has arrived at long last! Now I have to go back and re-read the whole thread. Damn! Anyway, I have done the yellow wire mod, and have run in the dac for 40 mins. Is it ready yet? Seriously though, Blackgate FKs are pretty hard/expensive to get, would it be worth trying 10uf...

Quote: Originally Posted by rhodes54 Just wait for a short while, if you have the patience. The updated version of the Chameleon, with of lot of our suggestions added, will be available soon. This also contains an updated DC-30W. As far as I know the design of the older version of...

Quote: Originally Posted by Wood I use the dc30 I got for the valab. works great. You can also do the yellow wire mod with it. Thanks, that reassures me.

The problem is cost. I can't afford another DC-30W. It's a Chameleon on it's own or nothing!

I am about to order a Chameleon, as they are at last on sale again, but use my DC-30W from the Valab DAC. Is anyone using this older PSU still, as Michael says it is designed for 8 chips, not 16. Has anyone had insurmountable problems re-using it? I can't afford to buy another at the moment, but...

I have been using 330R Shinkoh tants as I/V resistors for several months, but had too much sibilance. I put in a pair of Takman metal films 2 days ago, and the sibilance is tamed. I don't know how they will age, though. Pat, I bought the Valab solid silver digital cable (sorry for waiting so...

I think if you cut the + link, as Michael at teradak shows on his blog, then you can leave the regs. in.

Quote: Originally Posted by gfontes Well, I finally received the DC-30 PS and hooked it up yesterday. I immediately noticed that the bass is much more tight and focused then w/the stock PS. I assume it will improve w/burn-in as I have less then 24 hours on it. Has anybody noticed a...

Installed the Lundahl LL1572. My wife (who is not seduced by new toys) immediately said how Leonard Cohen's voice has deepened over the years (we were playing 10 New Songs from 2001,a familiar album, and we have just been to Venice to see him perform). I noticed a reduction in sibilance, which...

Thanks Bill, But that is $135 shipped, (with VH's cheapest plugs) and I have to make them up. The point was to try to save money!

A sideways question; has anyone tried Valab's solid core digital cable? The one Kevin sells for $80. I can't afford to keep buying lots of different cables, the DC-30, the Lundahl, and various caps have nearly cleaned me out. Richard.

So, If I don't want to change resistors, I get the LL1572, and just solder it in? Please?

Sorry, I mean Norm.

Does anyone know where to get the PE 65612 transformer in the UK? Mouser charge £12 to ship to the UK, but they only cost £3 each! If other people want them, I could buy a few, post them on, and split the total postage cost equally. Or if someone else wants to do it, I would pay for 2. Bill...

A thought. I sent back some AN tantalum resistors, as Bill pointed out they are "slightly" magnetic, and replaced them with 1W Shinkohs. The ferrite beads are also magnetic, but I will be bypassing them anyway. Has anyone noticed, and does it matter, that all the PCB and socket mounting screws...

Lindsay, Over-rating current is no problem, over-voltage could be. However, in this set-up, your toroid should be OK, the original tranny is rated 2x9 @240v, the toroid 2x9 @230, =2x9.4 @240. There are questions about toroid sound quality, though.

Is the Blackgates' long burn-in time noticeable when only the 220uF PSU cap is added. Or am I getting really anal?

Thanks again Pat, I'll stick with the Valab's output caps. I am so glad there are people with brains worth picking, and are prepared to let me pick them!

Output cap question. Using a Prometheus TVC instead of a pre -amp, do I need output caps at all?

Thanks Pat, I should have thought about the magnetics. What about polystyrenes as bypass caps , though? I get too tired these days to try things over and over again ( long hours and age don't mix well).

Hi, first post, so forgive if I am asking stupid/repeat question. I have the latest (I hope) 2009 Valab DAC, just bought 390 ohm Audio Note tantalum resistors, and 220uF BG FK. Before I start changing the output caps I will try bypassing the stock pair. My question is, do polystyrenes work? I...