robeeert1
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2008
- Posts
- 396
- Likes
- 14
Extremely modded Havana DAC
Hey Guys,
I noticed that not only "Partconexion" have Duelund Cast PIO at reasonable price.
For eg. here is sufficient stock now: http://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/castdccu010-022uf-630v-duelund-cast-copper-stock-p-9111.html
Based upon my experience with Havana I would like to try Duelund one day, not for output (here I'm fully satisfied with V-Cap CuTF). Actually I want to make a comparison between CuTF at 0,22uF and Duelund. "PIO" capacitors are one of the best for Havana. It shown me how much naturalness and what a solid image giving to the sound.
I would not change never the Rike S-Caps for 0,10uF capacity!!They give exemplary dynamics and have a great texture. I'm so satisfied with this DAC. I like it more than ARC DAC7 as I said before. The fully up-graded Havana it was an excellent choice that I no longer regret. Duelund it's just a curiosity, a caprice, not a necessity. Thank's!
Things kinda got out of control with all the modding but it's been a fun journey. It really does sound amazing though . Would be interesting to do a comparison with a unmodded Havana . I'll be kickin myself if I can't hear a difference!
The Duelands are 2.2uF on the output stage.
First I must clarify that the sound I chase is a more musical lush sound but still maintaining a sense of transparency and openess. I once had mundorf silver and oils in 0.22uF and also the two 0.01uF(which a still there) and 1.5uF for the outputs. What was achieved was a very black back ground, highly detailed more reference sounding. It was impressive at first but began to find it a bit to full on and fatigueing lacking a sense of flesh and bone fullness and musicality in my opinion. (Which I think is why I liked the Havana in the first place but I turned in to a more digital reference sounding dac). So my mission became clear I wanted to try and keep the detail and openess gained by the mundorfs but with a more musical tone. I started looking into vintage caps. Russian teflons and silvers , American vitamin Q spragues. Straight away I noticed tone was back . The vitamin Qs are lovely but a bit soft in the treble for me. I really liked the Russian caps. There are many in my dac now. K40Y-9 0.1uF in UU1 , T-3 0.22uF in C10 C29 C30 C21, K72n-6 0.33uF in C11(this one sonically is amazing in this spot,wouldn't have any other). Mundorf silver/oil in C13 C14. All electrolytics are Elna silmic II's and Blackgates. I also beefed up the power caps . The four big black caps you can see along the front are Elnas. The Duelands are great caps but I still question the price. I find some of the Russian caps a much better cheaper option. Don't get me wrong though, those Duelands are going anywhere, I love them.