The "mod your Zhalou" Thread

[bizkid]

Alright i know we have alot of Zhalou topics going on already but those got really big and clustered with all kinds of things.
Here i'd like to collect all information/comparisons about your stock/modded Zhalou.

I'll start with some OPA impressions:

The DY2000 in the DAC stage, i exchanged that one with the OPA2604 today and wow, what a change! The OPA2604 makes the sound kinda flat, less dynamic, less presence way more laid back sound. The DY2000 adds alot of life and dynamics, which you especially hear on vocals, drums etc.
I wouldnt say DY2000 is better, it's really depending on personal taste.
I prefer the DY2000 (alot!)

I didnt notice much by exchanging the 2 LT1057 back to the OPA2604.

Stock headphone amp: Those 5532 are terrible, i get harsh highs on many tracks. Currently im running the 2 LT-1057 in there, those are better. Im not going to bother with too much op changing there since the discrete amp will be out soon anyway.

Curious to hear about more OPA experiences and wonder if anyone can compare the blackgate to the stock version

 

[SonicDawg]

Is yours with Eddie's free upgrade as well?

 

[HumanMedia]

Is it possible to change the title of the thread to "Mod your Zhaolu 2.x"?

 

[Cyrilix]

On a side note, why does everyone spell it Zhalou? I don't mind it really, but it makes me cringe everytime I see how a 6-letter word can be written mistakenly so often.

 

[SonicDawg]

Can I use AD8610's on the headamp section?

 

[mtan002]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrilix On a side note, why does everyone spell it Zhalou? I don't mind it really, but it makes me cringe everytime I see how a 6-letter word can be written mistakenly so often.

"Zhaolu" is two words in Chinese, meaning "morning dew".

 

[Tachikoma]

Quote:

On a side note, why does everyone spell it Zhalou? I don't mind it really, but it makes me cringe everytime I see how a 6-letter word can be written mistakenly so often.

sooner or later someone's going to spell it Zhadou, which means "What" in cantonese, or zhao lou, meaning "running away" >_>

 

[Cyrilix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtan002 "Zhaolu" is two words in Chinese, meaning "morning dew".

That I know -- I was just commenting on how people write "Zhalou" all the time.

Err...sorry for sidetracking the thread. Please continue.

 

[Hello]

As I was listening to my Zhaolu, I saw my dog zhao lou; and then I thought, "Zhadou".

 

[JahJahBinks]

oh man, that's hilarious!

 

[bizkid]

LOL! Damn i even mispelled it in my sig

Ok lets get back to topic

 

[Ori]

Back to the D1.3, I finally went for broke... The ultimate mod - a discrete output stage!

You ain't heard nothin' yet!!!

 

[RogerWilco]

Nice ori--is that the unit you modded for bill?

 

[philodox]

I bet it sounds good with the R10's.

[inside joke]

 

[Johan in Brabant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ori Back to the D1.3, I finally went for broke... The ultimate mod - a discrete output stage! You ain't heard nothin' yet!!!

Hello Ori,

This would be one of my options too.
Which schematic did you use?

I am contemplating the ultranalog SACD-enhancer with a passive filter as discussed on diyaudio.
Yours looks vaguely similar but with an DC servo instead of output cap. Correct?

If so please share the schematic with us + opinions on how it improved the sound.

Regards,
Johan

PS I also have the dddac USB to I2S converter in the works but will report on that when all is done. (Could take a while...)