Melodious MX-U8 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip

[rb2013]

   
I received AK4495 DAC ( I2S - PCM - DOP ONLY - 768kHz MAX ) dac to test with, very good components they used for a $35 dac, only have to change the AD827 and the diodes 

2x LT1963, Nover - Elna - Nichicon FG - Wima caps, very impressive 

 

Very nice!  Maybe some heat sinks on those LT's?

 

[abartels]

  my crystek just arrived. can I just use solder gun to solder the crystek to the board pins ?

 
I would solder them on a DIL14 so you can remove them if neccessary

 

[abartels]

 
Quote:

 
Very nice!  Maybe some heat sinks on those LT's?

 
They are not running hot, so I suppose it'snot neccessary.
 
AK4495 is running!
 
I only replaced the AD827 opamp with allready burned-in LME49720HA. Other components are stock.
Just connected two torroidals (1 for digital, 1 for analog), made an I2S cable from an PC onboard USB cable, and connected to Melodious MX-U8.
 
This little baby sounds fantastic! Even it's not burned-in at all this sounds much better than my CS4398 based dac!
No listening fatigue at all, very wide and deep soundstage, tonal balance is very good, love this thingie 

 
And, it's only $33,25  ($43,25 including shipment!), wow, that's the best deal ever!
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Upgraded-version-Assembled-AK4495EQ-II2S-DAC-board-support-32BIT-768K-decoder-/121606408978?hash=item1c504e8b12
 
 
Can't wait till it has 150 hours of burn-in time 

 

 

[rb2013]

   
They are not running hot, so I suppose it'snot neccessary.
 
AK4495 is running!
 
I only replaced the AD827 opamp with allready burned-in LME49720HA. Other components are stock.
Just connected two torroidals (1 for digital, 1 for analog), made an I2S cable from an PC onboard USB cable, and connected to Melodious MX-U8.
 
This little baby sounds fantastic! Even it's not burned-in at all this sounds much better than my CS4398 based dac!
No listening fatigue at all, very wide and deep soundstage, tonal balance is very good, love this thingie 

 
And, it's only $33,25  ($43,25 including shipment!), wow, that's the best deal ever!
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Upgraded-version-Assembled-AK4495EQ-II2S-DAC-board-support-32BIT-768K-decoder-/121606408978?hash=item1c504e8b12
 
 
Can't wait till it has 150 hours of burn-in time 

 

AKM (Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation) makes really good DAC chips.  My APL uses 6 - 32-bit AKMs per channel.

 

[ccschua]

Finally replaced the tcxo with crystek 957. Its quite straight forward but care must be taken to remove the tcxo.

Overall just by this crystek clock upgrade alone is alot of improvement (I am still using the onboard regulators). I will be trying out ultra low noise ldo soon.

I plan to get the LT3042 from LKS and parallel tap the bottom AC supply (measured 9V) and supply the crystek from LT3042.

 

[abartels]

Finally replaced the tcxo with crystek 957. Its quite straight forward but care must be taken to remove the tcxo.

Overall just by this crystek clock upgrade alone is alot of improvement (I am still using the onboard regulators). I will be trying out ultra low noise ldo soon.

I plan to get the LT3042 from LKS and parallel tap the bottom AC supply (measured 9V) and supply the crystek from LT3042.

 
Feeding them with seperate psu will bring it to another level 

 

[abartels]

 
Quote:

 
Very nice!  Maybe some heat sinks on those LT's?

 
They are not running hot, so I suppose it'snot neccessary.
 
AK4495 is running!
 
I only replaced the AD827 opamp with allready burned-in LME49720HA. Other components are stock.
Just connected two torroidals (1 for digital, 1 for analog), made an I2S cable from an PC onboard USB cable, and connected to Melodious MX-U8.
 
This little baby sounds fantastic! Even it's not burned-in at all this sounds much better than my CS4398 based dac!
No listening fatigue at all, very wide and deep soundstage, tonal balance is very good, love this thingie 

 
And, it's only $33,25  ($43,25 including shipment!), wow, that's the best deal ever!
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Upgraded-version-Assembled-AK4495EQ-II2S-DAC-board-support-32BIT-768K-decoder-/121606408978?hash=item1c504e8b12
 
 
Can't wait till it has 150 hours of burn-in time 

 
 
 
UPDATE 15-09-2015:
 
Melodious MX-U8 I2S (RJ45) works fine with DOP64 and DOP128 on this AK4495 dac!
DAC is sounding very sweet, huge soundstage! Best bang for buck ever 

I finally can play my SACD collection 

 
DAC is sounding better by the day 

 This I wasn't expecting from this little thingie, I definitely will build an AK4490 (mono) based dac later this year

 

[ccschua]

   
Feeding them with seperate psu will bring it to another level 

 
I place an order for this
 
http://www.diyinhk.com/shop/audio-kits/89-08uv-ultralow-noise-dac-power-supply-regulator-3357v-15ax2.html
 
I plan to remove the U8 bridge diodes (lower bank) and have the 9V AC supply to the diyinhk lt3042 output 3.3V x 2 rail to the crystek 957 clocks.
 
at the same time, can I remove the other diode bridge and have the below LT 3042 output 5V connect to the LT 1963 (since the LT 1963 is giving 5V )

 

[DObleX]

 
The Breeze Audio and the three Gustard U12's I have recieved all played perfectly.  I Have had the Breeze Audio running now for over a week 24/7 - not one unlock, pop, or click.  Super easy to install - no handshake driver needed.

 
So not all.  I think the Tanly's have been good as well - at least no reports of problems

Could you share with the impressions of comparing The Breeze Audio and Gustard U12? Which of them gives better sound quality?

 

[abartels]

   
I place an order for this
 
http://www.diyinhk.com/shop/audio-kits/89-08uv-ultralow-noise-dac-power-supply-regulator-3357v-15ax2.html
 
I plan to remove the U8 bridge diodes (lower bank) and have the 9V AC supply to the diyinhk lt3042 output 3.3V x 2 rail to the crystek 957 clocks.
 
Yes, that would work, as be it better when using seperate transformer or winding for both crysteks.
 
at the same time, can I remove the other diode bridge and have the below LT 3042 output 5V connect to the LT 1963 (since the LT 1963 is giving 5V )
 
No, that wouldn't work since regulator needs overvoltage to regulate, I suppose it needs 7V at least (please consult datasheet LT1963)

 

[ccschua]

at the same time, can I remove the other diode bridge and have the below LT 3042 output 5V connect to the LT 1963 (since the LT 1963 is giving 5V )
 
No, that wouldn't work since regulator needs overvoltage to regulate, I suppose it needs 7V at least (please consult datasheet LT1963)
 
My intention is to get rid of LT 1963,2200uF, bridge and the 22uF in the 5V path. I want to use the LT 3042 (1A ) board and output 5V at the output pins of LT1963. To remove LT1963, it requires air gun which I dont have and also I want to keep the option of reversibility (snipping it will be irreversible). 
 
I open the lid and found that R1 = 240 and R2 = 750ohm. Refer to picture below this is what I suspect how the 5V is derived from the LT1963 and the capacitor is 220uF. Here is my plan of modification.
 
1. remove the 2 existing diodes bridge.
2. tap the top rail AC+ and AC- to the LT3042 input.
3. connect Output of LT 3042 5V to the LT 1963 output pin and common both the ground.
4. Bottom rail connect to LT 3042 3.3V board and output direct to Crystek clocks.
 
any comments ?
 

 

[abartels]

  at the same time, can I remove the other diode bridge and have the below LT 3042 output 5V connect to the LT 1963 (since the LT 1963 is giving 5V )
 
No, that wouldn't work since regulator needs overvoltage to regulate, I suppose it needs 7V at least (please consult datasheet LT1963)
 
My intention is to get rid of LT 1963,2200uF, bridge and the 22uF in the 5V path. I want to use the LT 3042 (1A ) board and output 5V at the output pins of LT1963. To remove LT1963, it requires air gun which I dont have and also I want to keep the option of reversibility (snipping it will be irreversible). 
 
I open the lid and found that R1 = 240 and R2 = 750ohm. Refer to picture below this is what I suspect how the 5V is derived from the LT1963 and the capacitor is 220uF. Here is my plan of modification.
 
1. remove the 2 existing diodes bridge.
2. tap the top rail AC+ and AC- to the LT3042 input.
3. connect Output of LT 3042 5V to the LT 1963 output pin and common both the ground.
4. Bottom rail connect to LT 3042 3.3V board and output direct to Crystek clocks.
 
any comments ?
 

I suppose that could work, I understand you will use 1x pcb 0.8uV psu, so both crysteks will be fed with same psu rail, don't know if that's the best option,,,,

 

[ccschua]

Finally I get the LT 3042 installed as per earlier description. and it works. 
 
Its more transparent and with details I never heard before.The stock unit has serious lacks of bass drive and high end sparkle. I can crank the volume up and it sounds more majestic.
 
next up will be another rail of LT 3042 3.3V feeding the crystek clock directly (bypass the adp150)
 
for now, sit back and enjoy the music.

 

[abartels]

  Finally I get the LT 3042 installed as per earlier description. and it works. 
 
Its more transparent and with details I never heard before.The stock unit has serious lacks of bass drive and high end sparkle. I can crank the volume up and it sounds more majestic.
 
next up will be another rail of LT 3042 3.3V feeding the crystek clock directly (bypass the adp150)
 
for now, sit back and enjoy the music.

 
Congratulations! Glad to hear your MX-U8 also performs a lor better now 

 
Please post some pictures 

 
 
Regards,
 
Alex

 

[ccschua]

messy work to prove concept. I tap 1 AC rail to LT 3042 (from LKS audio) and output to 5V dc. 
 
I just realise that xmos consumes 300 to 500 mA. the voltage drops to 4.4V. therefore I need another 3.3V to the crystek clock (for galvanic isolation). 
 
I had a hard time to remove the U8 bridge diodes. looks like a air gun is a must to remove 4 pin components.