[AnAnalogSpirit]

Preface: There was some question in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/543561/first-news-of-the-teclast-t59-hifi-player/ about doing some DIY "mods/upgrades" to the T51. I suppose in the past a few individuals have managed to swap out opamps (I believe on the Headphone-Out). There was also the question of whether or not the DACs could be swapped out. Since this information is also relevant to the main T51/s:flo2 thread, it is posted here, also.
 
Note: I'm not advocating that anybody "autopsy" their players and "play doctor", OR void their warranties in doing so. It just seemed like relevant information.
Quote:

Do not think it is possible to swap the DAC in the T51, because of the pin structure of the destined DAC.

 
 
I recall that the Practical Devices XM6 Portable DAC/Amp box offered the choice of selecting one of three of Wolfson Micro's DACs. The part numbers are: WM8740, WM8741, and WM8742. What had me curious is why a single DAC/Amp would offer more than one option. I had assumed that all DAC chips were different in package, or at least pinout.
 
From the Practical Devices site: "The XM6's USB-DAC stage is equipped with Texas Instruments' SRC4192 digital upconverter, feeding the legendary Wolfson Micro WM874x-series DAC (your choice of WM8740, WM8741, or WM8742), operating with 24-bit resolution at a 192kHz sampling rate. The result is absolutely unrivalled USB audio quality." 
- Practical Devices Corporation. "XM6: No other portable amp offers all this:." http://www.practicaldevices.com/amps.htm . n.d. Web. 26 October, 2011.
 
 
 
Looking up the info on the DACs at Wolfson's site showed they are the available in the same package: 28-pin SSOP package. On the page for the WM8740 under the "Related Products" it lists the WM8741 DAC (Bottom Right of page, in a coloured cell).
- Wolfson Microelectronics. "WM8740: High performance stereo DAC." http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/WM8740/ . n.d. Web. 26 October, 2011.
 
While reviewing the info on the WM8741 DAC, I ran across this text in the first column, near the bottom of the page, "The WM8741 is available in a convenient 28-SSOP package, and is pin compatible with the WM8740."
- Wolfson Microelectronics. "WM8741: High Performance Stereo DAC." http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/WM8741/ . n.d. Web. 26 October, 2011.
 
Then, of course, looking up the WM8742 DAC, I ran across this text located in the first column, near the bottom of the page, "The WM8742 is available in a convenient 28-SSOP package, and is pin compatible with the WM8740 and WM8741."
- Wolfson Microelectronics. "WM8742: Stereo DAC with DSD Support" http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/WM8742/ . n.d. Web. 26 October, 2011.
 
 
 
Here's a table from Wolfson Micro, listing the properties of the three DAC chips:
 

Wolfson Micro Stereo DAC chips

Part no.  Description  Channels  SNR/THD (dB)  Output level (Vrms)  Sample rate max (kHz)  Data formats  Control (SW/HW)  Other features  Analogue supply (V)  Digital supply (V)  Package  WM8740  High performance stereo DAC  2  120 / -104  2  192  I2S, RJ, LJ  HW, 3-wire SW  Selectable digital filter response  3.0-5.5  3.0-5.5  SSOP-28  WM8741  High Performance Stereo DAC  2  128 / -100  2  192  I2S, RJ, LJ, DSP, DSD  HW, 2/3-wire SW  Selectable advanced digital filter responses  4.5-5.5  4.5-5.5  SSOP-28  WM8742  Stereo DAC with DSD Support  2  126 / -100  2  192  I2S, RJ, LJ, DSP, DSD  HW, 2/3-wire SW  Selectable advanced digital filter responses  4.5-5.5  4.5-5.5  SSOP-28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Wolfson Microelectronics. "DACs: Stereo DACs" http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/ . n.d. Web. 26 October, 2011.
 
 
So it would SEEM, that at least PHYSICALLY, these three DACs from Wolfson Microelectronics are available in the same 28-pin SSOP package and are pin-compatible, which SHOULD mean the pinouts are identical. Whether or not the T51 can make USE of the WM8741 or WM8742 as stand-ins for the WM8740 with regard to the firmware, I have no idea...
 
Someone with actual Electrical Engineering know-how will have to step in and make some educated guesses as to the ACTUAL possibility of swapping out the DACs in the T51.
 

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

So it would SEEM, that at least PHYSICALLY, these three DACs from Wolfson Microelectronics are available in the same 28-pin SSOP package and are pin-compatible, which SHOULD mean the pinouts are identical. Whether or not the T51 can make USE of the WM8741 or WM8742 as stand-ins for the WM8740 with regard to the firmware, I have no idea...
 
Someone with actual Electrical Engineering know-how will have to step in and make some educated guesses as to the ACTUAL possibility of swapping out the DACs in the T51.
 

They might be pin compatible, but not necessary direct swappable. Read this.
 

 

[JamesMcProgger]

Hello guys, I made up my mind and will pull the trigger on this one, with my zune dead, I wanted another powerful and warmish DAP, Ive read this is "bright" but will pair it with the ZO2 and hope to get something similar.
 
is the house of DAP the best option to buy the T51 or S:flo in the US right now?

 

[lee730]

Quote:

Hello guys, I made up my mind and will pull the trigger on this one, with my zune dead, I wanted another powerful and warmish DAP, Ive read this is "bright" but will pair it with the ZO2 and hope to get something similar.
 
is the house of DAP the best option to buy the T51 or S:flo in the US right now?

I think it's your best bet. House of DAP seems to be pretty expedient at shipping as well. If you want a warm player consider the Hifiman 601 from Head Direct. I wouldn't call the Sflo2 really warm. Though through its headphone out it is a tad warm I guess you could say. Through its line out however it is in no way warm at all. I ordered the ZO as well. I don't necessarily need more bass but if it can give me more control over the bass that is what I'm looking for, maybe even add to the quality even better.

 

[JamesMcProgger]

^ thanks
the teclasts P76 and C700 look nice as well, but they dont have "known" chips or audio line outs. guess the T51 is the safest bet.

 

[lee730]

Quote:

^ thanks
the teclasts P76 and C700 look nice as well, but they dont have "known" chips or audio line outs. guess the T51 is the safest bet.

If I never auditioned the Hifiman I'd still have the Sflo2 (actually if I didn't have so many quality control issues with my device I'd honestly would have never tried the Hifiman; I guess in a way I'm glad I did have the issues as I'd never have considered the 601 otherwise).

 

[JamesMcProgger]

Quote:

If I never auditioned the Hifiman I'd still have the Sflo2 (actually if I didn't have so many quality control issues with my device I'd honestly would have never tried the Hifiman; I guess in a way I'm glad I did have the issues as I'd never have considered the 601 otherwise).

I'm not interested in the 601, the little screen and the odd almost cubic shape. not to mention it almost double the T51 price. but thanks for the info.
 
now I hate my zune for breaking, I was happy with it.

 

[estreeter]

McProgger, I assume you are aware of the less-than-slick UI on the T51 ? I like most things about the Teclast, but the UI isnt one of those things.

 

[JamesMcProgger]

yeah but shame there is no such thing as perfect DAP, if is not one thing it is going to be another. Zune120 was close for me, except for the lack of line out. technically the T51 seems flawless.
 
how stable is rockbox in the T51?

 

[lee730]

Quote:

yeah but shame there is no such thing as perfect DAP, if is not one thing it is going to be another. Zune120 was close for me, except for the lack of line out. technically the T51 seems flawless.
 
how stable is rockbox in the T51?

I never knew T51 had rockbox. That's a new one lol. I could be wrong but I highly doubt the T51 has working rockbox. The Hifiman does have rockbox but I never looked into it.

 

[JamesMcProgger]

^ if it have, Im sure installing it.
 
doesnt this board look like a mess to you guys? I'm not bashing, I just bought one, just wondering
 

 

[lee730]

I may even come with Saw dust free of charge (my friends sflo2 has a bunch of saw dust in it when he opened it to do a hard reset).
Quote:

^ if it have, Im sure installing it.
 
doesnt this board look like a mess to you guys? I'm not bashing, I just bought one, just wondering
 

 

 

[estreeter]

Roll this number around in your heads for a minute - 139 USD. I dont know what you pay for the iPod Touch in the US, but I'm guessing its more than that - I also cant seem to find a dedicated lineout on my Touch. Oh, well, guess I'll just have to stick with my shoddy T51.

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

Roll this number around in your heads for a minute - 139 USD. I dont know what you pay for the iPod Touch in the US, but I'm guessing its more than that - I also cant seem to find a dedicated lineout on my Touch. Oh, well, guess I'll just have to stick with my shoddy T51.

I paid $109 for my Sflo2 back in the day.  Hard to beat at that price.  

 

[s1rrah]

I had no idea that MP4Nation quit stocking the S:flo 2. Mines going on a year and a half and is just fine but now I'm sort of worried about it breaking.  LOL ... guess I could settle for the T51 and it's lower capacity though.