[hopeless]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSlim /img/forum/go_quote.gif Check out this thread, they've bypassed the output stage all together on a 4397/8 DAC, and have done the same on the 707. Not that it'll fit in the case.. diyAudio Forums - Experience with this DIY DAC ? - Page 11

I confirm that I'm not interested. That stuff is only for those who do not know about the OPA211, and the other better opamps (like the LT1358).

 

[hopeless]

Been comparing a little my 3 modified DAC's: Super Pro older version (like the one in this thread), Super Pro newest version, and DIYEDEN SVDAC05.


The older Super Pro has a LME49860, the DIYEDEN 2x LME49710, the new Super Pro has a LT1358. For the rest all are tweaked in the passive parts, with Wima's (both polypropylene and polyester), Evox MMK, and low ESR electrolytic caps from Panasonic (DIYEDEN) and from Rubycon (the other two). The DIYEDEN is also completely capacitorless in the signal path.


Guess... the two Super Pro's not only stand the comparison with the "more sophisticated" DIYEDEN (another CS4398 + CS8416 based DAC); the Super Pro with LME49860 is just a tad warmer than the very rigorous DIYEDEN, while preserving the overall sonic signature; and surprisingly enough, the newer Super Pro with the LT1358 is the best sounding to my ears. It just has the most "life", without losing anything. It also has the most body to sounds. And transient response is fantastic. Enjoy the LT1358.

P.S. listened to an old record by Leonard Cohen, very well recorded anyway.

 

[MrSlim]

Hopeless, is the LT1358 an SOIC or is it in a DIP pkg? Would it be possible to swap it into the SVDAC05? I was just looking at a SVDAC05 on ebay and it looks like it has a reasonable amount of room for doing mods to it. Of course it's more money than the 707.

 

[hopeless]

The LT1358 comes DIP and SOIC, at your discretion.

The SVDAC05 wants two single LT1357 though (again DIP & SOIC).



I'm very happy with both the modified Super Pro (currently with a LT1364, after opening it to add another couple of bypass caps -- different from the LT1358, rather than better or worse) and the SVDAC05, and couldn't say which one sounds better so far.

 

[hopeless]

Well I've found even better: that's the LT1469. Formerly I had found this opamp to be a little bit dry as a DAC buffer, but this time, in the new Super Pro with added bypassing (Wima 100 nF + another Wima, 220 nF), it works wonderfully.


It fared quite well also in this test... http://www.sg-acoustics.ch/analogue_...distortion.pdf

 

[hopeless]

Superb opamp the LT1469. It's an LME49860 with a more natural tonality and just a bit more fullness.

My favorites of the dual LT opamps tried so far are LT1469 and LT1358. Soon I may try the LT1678 and the LT1632 (if they send them to me).

 

[hopeless]

Changed the LT1469 with the LM4562 (I hadn't tried this for a long time), just because the former produced little pops when changing track on the player. Don't know why, may be a little problem with DC on the output (though the DAC has output caps).

It's a bit of a pity because I loved the LT1469. Given this, the LT1358 returns my favorite dual LT.

BTW I like the LM4562, it seems to have slightly more meat than the LME49860. Also I like the tonality a bit better?

 

[hopeless]

LOL, I'm glad I went back to the LT1364. Has smoother sound, better transient response, and especially an unquestionably more natural kind of sound.

 

[hopeless]

WOW, with Jason Lytle, "Yours truly, the commuter", the DAC, with the LT1364 inside, is really quite impressive. I love how the LT1364 resolves intricate transients, complex situations, especially in acoustic music. Also I love its dynamic, alive & "live" sound.

By comparison, the LM/LME have kind of a pedantic audiophile sound. To each their own.

 

[hopeless]

I think that the OPA2211AID will be the "definitive opamp" for this DAC. I need Browndogs...


Meanwhile the LT1364 sings the sweetest tunes.

 

[hopeless]

While I wait for the Rubycon ZLH cap for my "main" Super Pro 707, my other one (that with the LME49860, soldered to the pcb) just rocks. One opamp or another (of the good ones), this is a great sounding DAC.

BTW when the cap is placed in the "main" Super Pro I'm going to try the TLE2142, an interesting bipolar opamp, particularly so for a 12V supply voltage. Should also go well with the CS4398. We'll see.

 

[hopeless]

I've found out that there's a 4000 (and more) euro DAC from "Acoustic Arts" that uses the TLE2142, both for I/V conversion and for output buffering. In the review I saw, the reviewer said it's among the very best DACs available, and compares well with a much more expensive dCS.


This: VIDEOHIFI 26 - AUDIO


(interestingly it uses Panasonic FC & FM capacitors throughout, along with some tantalums -- I feel reassured about my former capacitor choice for my DIYEDEN DAC)

 

[rds]

Although component choices are important, at the end of the day it's implementation that decides how good a piece of equipment is.

 

[hopeless]

Well, consider that in that DAC there are in total 8x TLE2142... So implementation or not (at most I'd say higher supply voltage

since the TLE2142 is surely not a 'cranky' opamp), the Super Pro with a single opamp channel here certainly has an advantage - may I call it implementation, too?

 

[hopeless]

BTW, rds, how do you like your modified DAC ? I'm listening to it (one of them, the older) right now, and loving it. It doesn't sound worse than the modified DIYEDEN (I can switch between them with the touch of a button), even though the DIYEDEN currently has a solid-core silver interconnect, and the Super Pro "just" a Sommercable Classique (coaxial, copper).