[KT88]

Hi Friends,

I have a few simple questions about modding the Zhaolu 2.5A I own.

From what I know it has 3 OP-Amp that can be changed. I really want to change the sound to a faster, more detailed, with better mid-range sound. I have a sound card with the L4562MA OPA and it sounds great for me. I wonder, does that OPA fit this DAC? If so, which of the versions I need, the DIP8?
BTW, is there any other OP-Amp which will give me a similar sound to the one I'm looking for and is better than the L4562MA?

While at it, if there are any simple mods that dont require expensive parts/much time and will give me more of the same sound signature I'm looking for I'll be more than happy to hear about it

Thanks.

 

[Ori]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KT88 /img/forum/go_quote.gif While at it, if there are any simple mods that dont require expensive parts/much time and will give me more of the same sound signature I'm looking for I'll be more than happy to hear about it

Search for the caps bypass mod. It costs nothing and is worth every penny... Or shekel...

 

[KT88]

I will. What about the Opamps? Will the L4562MA fit the Zhaolu? If so, which one of them do I need?
http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM4562.html

 

[Postal_Blue]

Yes, the 4562 will work in the Zhaolu. Some have reported using it in all three sockets with favorable results. You need LM4562NA the MDIP/DIP8 version, last one on the list.

 

[KT88]

Thank you very much

BTW, if there are any other mods/ op-amo that will give me the sound I wan (fast with high resolution and emphasized midrange, please let me know).

 

[cotdt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KT88 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you very much BTW, if there are any other mods/ op-amo that will give me the sound I wan (fast with high resolution and emphasized midrange, please let me know).

why don't you read the Mod your Zhaolu thread? it has everything you need to know about modding the Zhaolu. The LM4562 are OK-sounding opamps, but a Zapfilter will really make it sing. If you're going opamps, there are other good choices in opamps but they are more difficult to use.

 

[KT88]

I went over it, but there's some much information I just cant figure out what's the relevant for me.

what do you mean by "more difficult to use"?

 

[cotdt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KT88 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I went over it, but there's some much information I just cant figure out what's the relevant for me. what do you mean by "more difficult to use"?

some of the better opamps use a different voltage, so you'll have to do a little more than just snap in the opamp.

 

[KT88]

What I love about the L4562MA is the fact the sound it produces is really balanced and emphasizes the 4-5KHz area and up. If it would also emphasize the midrange a little more it would have been perfect for me, as I find the 2.5A to be not detailed enough, and vocals just sound too far behind the rest of the instrument with both my speakers and the headphones.

 

[cotdt]

the zapfilter is like the LM4562 on steriods. it is clearer, faster, more dynamic with much more detail.

 

[KT88]

But it costs alot more while the L4562MA is 10.23$ for 3 samples

 

[KT88]

BTW, Ori, from what i know, shorting the caps can damage the equipment connected to the DAC, cant it?

 

[Ori]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KT88 /img/forum/go_quote.gif BTW, Ori, from what i know, shorting the caps can damage the equipment connected to the DAC, cant it?

Not really. You can short under the board and them measure the DC offset. It's usualy between 20 to 50 mV, safe for most amplifiers.
It's definitely safe for equipment with capacitors at the input, like many tube amps.

 

[KT88]

Thanks.

BTW, I replaced the op-amps, but could only find 2 while other said there are 3. Where's the other one?

 

[cotdt]

it's only 2 opamps in the version 2.5 output stage