I made the following changes today:
- I switched Elna Silmic II (on the digital section) with Sanyo Oscon (470uF/16V);
- Black Gate F series (100uF/25V) with FK series (the same value, 5 pcs.)
About two weeks ago I changed the four Black Gate F series near the tube (100uF/25V) with FK (220uF/25V).
Follows a little bit of burning-in ...
The preliminary conclusions:
Black Gate FK are the best for the analog stage section while Oscon's works perfect for the digital stage section!
These upgrades have a strong impact. High frequencies are extremely detailed, medium & low frequencies have a consistent texture, they are meaty and rendered authoritative with a higher attack and pulse; very good energy and dynamics; There are highlighted the finest micro-details along the whole spectrum. The sound is more natural.
I highly recommend Oscons there (higher capacity, minimum 470uF).
I have implemented supplementary, ten Sanyo Oscons on the back of the motherboard (4,7uF, 10V; 10 pcs). Six were implemented on digital section and four on analog section of the dac. Usually Oscon's work perfect in the digital stage section, but in this case it was been necessary for
extra micro-details.
Havana is now
the most transparent DAC that I have heard so far, even more transparent than ARC Dac7!
I like Havana more than DAC7 as timbre and harmonic texture. It is by far, one of the most realistic DAC that I've heard in my electrostatic headphone setup.
It has just something special in its sound, but those Rike S-Caps and BG FK series are a must.