[VirtualOne]

I also have the volume quite low, definitely lower than 9 o'clock. Probably around 8 (can't look right now since I'm not at home). I don't have other amplifiers yet - this is my first one.

Btw, I'm using USB because on S/PDIF Zero would loudly click (from within its housing, not in the headphones) every time the signal started / stopped. Even worse, after a couple more seconds I would always get a relatively loud pop in headphones, so it was unnerving, every time a song ended to wait for the dreaded pop. The pop was probably caused by the mobo (with built-in Realtek), not Zero.

I tried to connect Zero to other power outlets, guessing it might change the noise, but to no avail. So it's again on my UPS-protected chain.

Anyway, Zero sounds nice otherwise, its just this "shhhhhhhhhhh"... even when the music drowns it, of course it's still there, reducing the total clarity...

One other thing bothers me: when turning Zero on/off the headphones receive a loud pop as well. Hopefully it isn't detrimental to the headphones?

I'm new around here, what would be the best way to ask for recommendations on affordable (sub $500 if possible) dac+amp with a neutral sound and as-quiet-as-possible background? Or at least amp, I can have Zero as a DAC, although it will be a pain to switch two devices all the time.

 

[AmarokCZ]

Click (relay inside ZERO) when using S/PDIF is not problem of ZERO and it is caused by S/PDIF source. Some "not good" sources turns the S/PDIF output off for a while even between tracks (when changing track with optical S/PDIF you can see that red light disappers for a while).
 
Don't take this as recommendation, but only as my experience: I upgraded few ZEROs to version "amarok", all of them were OK when in original state.
After this upgrades the sound of DAC changed to more neutral, less harsh highs, better soundstage and better defined basses. New AMP section can't be compared to the old one - way less distortion, better channel separation and noise below noise of DAC section (new AMP is silent with K240 even at full volume).
One owner of uprgraded ZERO told me that it is superior to Icon HDP, Fubar IV or Yulong DAH1. Another owner compared it to HS-DAC (DIY DAC comparable to H/K HD990).
 
Do if you are able to modify it, try it! 

 

[VirtualOne]

Well, you certanly got me interested, but... the most electronics I can handle is putting computers together (which is about as simple as it gets

). I took a look at your website, and this mod is way out of my league.

You know, I never understood one thing... why can't some company like TianYun take good advice like this and improve the device in several mayor revisions. And in the end, get a very cost-efficient product with performance that rivals the best of them.

Then again, 3TB harddrives are also sold at 2x the price of 2TB harddrives, even though the components hardly cost more

 

[maar]

Hi guys!
 
it will be just short. I decided to buy DAC. I flipped through some reviews and ended here in this thread (sorry I didn't scan all the 616 pages...). I hate how Zero looks but I will leave the aesthetics behind and buy it
 
Can You please tell me if this 09 edition http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VERSION-ZERO-24-192KHZ-DAC-HEAD-AMP-USB-OPA2604-/160614705252?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256561e864#shId is the best piece I can buy now in the year 2012? I am not very sure about the OPA2604 chip, should I rather take this one with 627? http://www.ebay.com/itm/09-NEW-EDITION-ZERO-24-192KHz-DAC-HEAD-AMP-OPA627-NEW-/120644872211?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c16fea813 ... AFAIK almost everybody switches the chips and I will do it if necessary. So is this box good to start with and then improve it somehow?
 
Also I noticed something about fake OPA627 chips here in forum ... Someone has an experience with it with Zero? 
 
Thank You very much,
 
o.
 
p.s. From PC optical to "DAC" RCA to Pioneer Amp A-757 to Alessandro MS1 ...
p.p.s. Is it really better than Fubar IV Plus?

 

[AmarokCZ]

ZERO 09 with USB and OPA627 is the best choice under 300$ (or maybe 500$) when properly modded.
Original ZERO is surely better than fubar.
 
My experience with OPA627 in ZERO is very good - resistance between pin1 a pin5 was 55k like in original, offset was little lower than typical from datasheet ... so I can say, that it is original OPA627 ... or very good fake.
 

 

[maar]

Thanx for reply. Just PM-ed you. 

 

[maar]

Hi guys,
 
my Zero is safe and sound sitting on my desk and I am in the process of the sound testing. The first impression is it needs to be burned-in (for those who believe something like this actually exists 

) but I am not in no way disappointed with it. Actually it plays very nice and I am so far quite happy about even the headphone input which can be improved somehow which I will definitely do later with the help of one member here.
 
Just now I would like to ask a very "dumb" question. Now I have an on-board (Gigabyte) sound card in my computer which is connected to Zero with an optical cable. I use Foobar2000 player along with Asio4All driver with "Always resample 44.1kHz <-> 48kHz" enabled. DO I IMPROVE the sound output (the sound which gets from PC to Zero) when buying non-integrated sound card (for example ASUS Xonar DG) OR is it pointless and the digital sound is converted in Zero independently on what the source is (I mostly play FLACs and the source i mean Sample Rate and Resolution...). Say it another way... is it worthwhile to invest to a sound card when I use optical out and NEVER NOTHING else?
 
I wanna add that I use Zero as a Headphone amp and also as a DAC to my Amplifier (direct out via RCA).
 
Thank You very much.

 

[Wingzero]

Gonna be pairing one of these with some Denon AH D7000.


Anything I need to know orr be aware of ?

 

[AmarokCZ]

ZERO headphone amplifier has "too much gain" plus D7000 are quite sensitive, so it will be almost impossible to set low volume without digital volume control.
This might help: http://www.head-fi.org/t/575840/you-can-add-resistors-to-lower-the-volume-of-a-zero-dac-amp

 

[VirtualOne]

 
Quote:

Btw, I'm using USB because on S/PDIF Zero would loudly click (from within its housing, not in the headphones) every time the signal started / stopped. Even worse, after a couple more seconds I would always get a relatively loud pop in headphones, so it was unnerving, every time a song ended to wait for the dreaded pop. The pop was probably caused by the mobo (with built-in Realtek), not Zero.

 
At first I thought it must be the lousy motherboard integrated soundcard. Now, after two other DAC/AMP combinations found themselves on my table, I can confirm there is absolutely no pop whatsoever with them connected to the same source. The problem is ZERO.
 
Optical in is therefore useless on mine. Cannot stand that pop. It could be a bad sample? Can someone else please check, if you connect your (unmodified?) version 09 ZERO with toslink, is there any pop in your headphones a couple of seconds after the song ends?
 
Thanks!
 

 

[AmarokCZ]

Is there a pop in LINE OUT too? Have you tried another S/PDIF source (CD player, etc)?

 

[VirtualOne]

Didn't try line out, I'll look around if I have something. But I won't use it in either case. I don't think I have any other S/PDIF devices. Will check with relatives - if someone has, I could at least try their computer cause they most likely have S/PDIF. Another computer is also the best test, as that's the source of my choice.
 
I assume your Zero never had this pop?

 

[VirtualOne]

I've tried it with another computer. The pop is still there.

 

[AmarokCZ]

Mine ZERO never had this pop. But I heard about someone with this issue and I think he didn't solve this issue. 

 

[Butcherowski]

I just received a ZERO DAC. Using Grado SR-80 I can hear a hiss when the amp is supposed to be silent. It's noticeable at very low volumes, right from the start and just turning the pot slightly. Even more noticeable at 9 o'clock, and there is a loud hissing when pot is at 12 o'clock.
 
As I understand, this is due to Grados low impedance.
 
Is there a simple way to modify the headphone amp for low impedance headphones?
Or should I try to sell the Zero and look for something else? TY!