[K3cT]

I'm thinking of replacing the caps in the amplifier section with either Elna or Blackgate caps. I'm interested to see what you guys think of this modification!

 

[Beronj]

Thanks Currawong, I was hoping it wasn't that. Any idea what Audio GD would say if I told them about it? I guess I would have to foot the bill to send it back...

 

[haloxt]

Ask them, maybe they'll have a good idea of what is wrong and can guide you through fixing it. If it is serious and there's no way you can fix it the compass should be covered under warranty with shipping both ways covered.

 

[jjinh]

cyberidd - interesting reading about the difference between sun and earth. Any chance we could get your impressions for the moon unit?

 

[cyberidd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjinh /img/forum/go_quote.gif cyberidd - interesting reading about the difference between sun and earth. Any chance we could get your impressions for the moon unit?

Those were my early impressions of Earth and Sun before much burn in had taken place. I had meant to review Moon in the same way, but never managed to get around to it. I have since been burning each OPAMP in further and will hopefully put together a burned in review of each when I get the opportunity.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm thinking of replacing the caps in the amplifier section with either Elna or Blackgate caps. I'm interested to see what you guys think of this modification!

I'd look at bypassing the stock caps with a HQ film and foil or PIO rather then replacing the NoVers with expensive types (BG/Elna). The NoVers are pretty darn good and made in the UK so they are not chopped liver either

The amp design has no electrolytic caps in the signal pathways anyway so going for BG's would be a waste of money IMO. However bypassing the stock caps as I said in the first sentence would be a worthwhile mod in the DAC/PSU section first and the amp section second. A very small value PIO or metal film cap would yield a nice improvement I'm willing to bet. The labor to get at the pcb undersides is the main reason I haven't done so yet. Although I too would like to experiment with it (once I have the other 5 major mods done on other gear).

Peete.

 

[K3cT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd look at bypassing the stock caps with a HQ film and foil or PIO rather then replacing the NoVers with expensive types (BG/Elna). The NoVers are pretty darn good and made in the UK so they are not chopped liver either The amp design has no electrolytic caps in the signal pathways anyway so going for BG's would be a waste of money IMO. However bypassing the stock caps as I said in the first sentence would be a worthwhile mod in the DAC/PSU section first and the amp section second. A very small value PIO or metal film cap would yield a nice improvement I'm willing to bet. The labor to get at the pcb undersides is the main reason I haven't done so yet. Although I too would like to experiment with it (once I have the other 5 major mods done on other gear). Peete.

That's illuminating, Peete. About what I'd expect from our own Father of the Franken mods.

Can you explain in more details how to do the bypass procedure? The PSU is hard to access so I suppose it's easier to start with the DAC section first?

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's illuminating, Peete. About what I'd expect from our own Father of the Franken mods. Can you explain in more details how to do the bypass procedure? The PSU is hard to access so I suppose it's easier to start with the DAC section first?

Bypassing is simply paralleling a PIO/Film cap on the electrolytic caps + and - pads on the underside of the pcb. The leads of the PIO cap are soldered to those pads.
The PSU/DAC section is all one PCB so you'd be able to mod both sections by pulling that board (once you've carefully removed the other parts holding it in place). The bypass cap will have to fit in the space provided by the stock standoffs. The same caps that fit under the Zero's board would likely fit in the Compass although I can't be 100% certain of that without testing it out myself.

Peete.

 

[jjinh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberidd /img/forum/go_quote.gif Those were my early impressions of Earth and Sun before much burn in had taken place. I had meant to review Moon in the same way, but never managed to get around to it. I have since been burning each OPAMP in further and will hopefully put together a burned in review of each when I get the opportunity.

Sounds good. I'm waiting for my own sun and moon units to arrive.. can't wait to try them.

 

[PowerPaul86]

Is the price for The Compass still 280US$ or was that a time limited offer?

 

[Sparky14]

I ordered one on Monday and it was still $280.

 

[jjinh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPaul86 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the price for The Compass still 280US$ or was that a time limited offer?

they're still 280usd. its a limited time offer, but unsure how long it will be available?


See ºÎÇ컪Ô*´´ÒôÏì
for their promo prices

 

[r_aquarii]

was told by kingwa that my compass will ship out on the 5th, til now i got no information and they stop replying to any of my email after i made payment...

 

[K3cT]

I think Kingwa is away from the town or something because he doesn't seem to reply to Emails. And he usually signs his E-mails with his name so I think a substitute is doing the communication now.

 

[Currawong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_aquarii /img/forum/go_quote.gif was told by kingwa that my compass will ship out on the 5th, til now i got no information and they stop replying to any of my email after i made payment...

I've sent them an email asking if everything is ok there. They are probably getting a lot of email there now and I think that there is only one person there who can speak English.