[Ken B.]

This might sound crazy, but is it possible to do this kind of mod to a SB Live?

I have one of the last versions of this card, which I bought about 1 year ago, and although the card is labeled as an "Audigy", it is actually just a SB LIVE with an improved s/n ratio.

 

[phalanger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken B. /img/forum/go_quote.gif This might sound crazy, but is it possible to do this kind of mod to a SB Live?

This thread is about X-Fi's specifically to not make it too confusing.. In general: yes you probably can, find out what opamps it uses and find a matching better one, maybe change a few caps.. its applicable to just about any soundcard but for specifics on other cards maybe better start a new thread.
Also I wouldnt expect miracles.. SBLives are not very good soundcards, XFis have much higher potential to unleash.

 

[phalanger]

Update: It appears I got rid of the distortion now at full volume. Not sure what did the trick. The power cap I currently have in is a 220uF nonpolar, so the capacitor doesnt have to be any larger then that. (not saying it might not be useful). coupling caps still the odd un-parallelled 10uF NP setup. I think maybe the powercap made a faulty connection since the connector is damaged afterall, and thats the only thing i messed with since it last had distortion.

Cheap sonic bliss in full effect here again

(well cheap.. ended up investing in some DIY stuff along the way but thats gonna come in useful soon enough

)

 

[qwerty009]

I wonder how 2xOPA 627 (with adapter) will sound? Heard it HiQ stuff, but price is also hi.

Measured today my front channel DC voltage (caps shorted and ad8620 as opamp) and it showed 180mV. Kind of high or what? Of cource amplifier should have cap against DC of its own and it wont damage headphones but it's kind of hi anyway and caps should be unshorted?

 

[cotdt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty009 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wonder how 2xOPA 627 (with adapter) will sound? Heard it HiQ stuff, but price is also hi. Measured today my front channel DC voltage (caps shorted and ad8620 as opamp) and it showed 180mV. Kind of high or what? Of cource amplifier should have cap against DC of its own and it wont damage headphones but it's kind of hi anyway and caps should be unshorted?

something is obviously wrong if the DC is that high

 

[qwerty009]

Theres what shematic from DAC output to opamp input looks like:

(opamp
pin 1: out1
pin 2: -in1
pin 3: +in1
)

 

[Seba]

Op-amp and coupling caps changed. Op-amp was a real b*tch to desolder and solder. Few times I soldered couple legs together. Caps were easy to change and they fit nicely.

I have a small feeling that my left channel plays louder than my right channel. Would that be the result that one of op-amp legs isn't soldered properly? Is there some program which I could measure the levels of each channel (dB meter would be handy but I don't own one)

 

[qwerty009]

RMAA (5.5) should do the job.
http://audio.rightmark.org/download.shtml
SMD (de)soldering guide, good tips, if someone is interested. http://www.infidigm.net/articles/solder/#desoldering

 

[chipped]

hey guys, nice guide you got here. i am in australia and i can not find the exact op amps and capacitors you have recommended. will these ones be ok instead?

op amp: IC OPA2134PA OPAMP AUDIO HI PERF DIP8
http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/ZL3972.pdf

Capacitors: are any of these suitable?
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...Max=&SUBCATID=
or
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...Max=&SUBCATID=

thanks in advance

 

[Seba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty009 /img/forum/go_quote.gif RMAA (5.5) should do the job. http://audio.rightmark.org/download.shtml SMD (de)soldering guide, good tips, if someone is interested. http://www.infidigm.net/articles/solder/#desoldering

Thanks for the link. Everything seems to be OK except stereo crosstalk seems to have differences:

R -> L L -> R
Crosstalk at 100 Hz -103.9 -108.8 dB
Crosstalk at 1 kHz -102.2 -101.5 dB
Crosstalk at 10 kHz -98.9 -98.5 dB

Edit: Second test showed some improvement: 106.6 / 105.1 & 102.2 / 102.6 & 98.3 / 98.2

 

[qwerty009]

Btw if anyone is using RMAA then they should check that from recording properties "line in" is selected. If "wave" is selected then theres a digital loopback and analog stage is not tested.
If u are unsure withc is selected then there is an easy wat to test it. Before pushing "start test" test button you must calibrate signal to approximately -1db. Now if you remove 3,5mm stereo cable from line in<->front out. and signal is still there then u are using digital loopback.

 

[GameBlaster]

According to RMAA the quality of this mod in X-Fi Elite Pro should matches the quality of Emu1820 or X-meridian ?

 

[cmos.gr]

So...what is better ?

bridge caps ?
Or change them with bigger?
(and if..bigger =... ?)

Something more.I cant find in my country blackgate cap...
Its something special about that ?
what if I install something else ? :S

 

[ichiboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seba /img/forum/go_quote.gif Op-amp and coupling caps changed. Op-amp was a real b*tch to desolder and solder. Few times I soldered couple legs together. Caps were easy to change and they fit nicely. I have a small feeling that my left channel plays louder than my right channel. Would that be the result that one of op-amp legs isn't soldered properly? Is there some program which I could measure the levels of each channel (dB meter would be handy but I don't own one)

I have the same problem! Except on mine the right channel plays louder than my left one.... Grrr

 

[cotdt]

most likely the opamps are not properly soldered. it's easy to fix.