The "mod your Zhalou" Thread

[minivan]

can just buy the zapfilter direct from L C Audio Technology / Front Page
it come in 230v

 

[aircondition]

Thanks for your quick reply - problem is, LC Audio charges EUR 257,- for it (including shipping), at partsconnexion it's much cheaper only USD 214,- (which is roughly EUR 135,-)
How can this be

? Also, I've read that dealing directly with LCAudio is a little 'slow', and risky

. Have had very good experience with partsconnexion.
Being a student I am not happy if I would have to pay a hefty 90% more for the same part(s) !

 

[d-cee]

you'd have to check to see if the zap filter kit comes with a transformer that can be configured for 230v use

i suspect not however, otherwise they wouldn't have 115v and 230v versions =\

 

[minivan]

yes i was wonder why too, i also want a 230v zapfilter. this is what partconnexion reply me :
Configuring the transformer is simply a matter of putting primary leads in series, vs. parallel.

 

[aircondition]

Finally, i found some instructions - have a look here, Renato's post: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/mod...ml#post2616513

Can eventually someone post instructions more suited for n00bs

like me, i checked the hammondmfg website with the wiring examples, but how would this exactly look like on the ZAPfilter PSU ("in series") ?

Here's a pic:

(after all, I don't want to blow things up and I want to be 100percent sure that and how its gonna work)

 

[minivan]

keep us posted, i am interested in finding out too

 

[d-cee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aircondition /img/forum/go_quote.gif but how would this exactly look like on the ZAPfilter PSU ("in series") ?

it's not the PSU, but the transformer that must be wired in series

 

[aircondition]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif it's not the PSU, but the transformer that must be wired in series

Thanks for making this clear. Then I'd think that the transformators of both (115V/230V) ZAP_PSU models are basically the same, and the only difference is how the transformator's wires are connected (in parallel: 115V serial: 230V)

Can eventually one of the ZAP-masterminds (~R~icardo comes to mind

) explain it to minivan and me? I think we are both somewhat desperate ..
Thank you!

 

[udo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aircondition /img/forum/go_quote.gif How can this be ? Also, I've read that dealing directly with LCAudio is a little 'slow', and risky

I had no problems dealing with LCAudio.
Also: when receiving goods from abroad (from outside EU) you might need to pay some import duties but you might have a chance your parcel will be skipped from inspection/taxation.

 

[Steph86]

Okay here goes,
I have been wanting to buy a DAC for quite a while now and have been looking at all the ones available on the market, (city pulse, Keces, Lite Audio DAC modified, Musiland and have finally decided to go for the Zhaolu.

My budget is £200 (400$) and my source is going to be my computer. I don't have a sound card and would therefore like to use usb unless there is another way of me getting a good signal.

I have been checking out most of the Zhaolu DAC's but don't know which one will give me the best sound. Sound is the most important thing to me, size colour etc.. does not matter. It will be used with a pair of AKG 701 or hd 650's (still deciding which one to go for lol) and also either a darkvoice 332 or 336se or little dot MKIVse (and again I don't know which one of these to choose).

However all that aside, which one of the following has the best sound quality

I am happy to do some mods if need be as long as it doesn't go over my budget of $400)

1: Zhaolu D3 + DG link card (from cryo-parts) - $379

2: Zhaolu D2.5C + two upgrades + headamp upgrade + PC link II (from cryo-parts) - $400

3: Zhaolu modded by oritek (don't know the price)

4: Anything I may have missed?

If anyone can think of another DAC for this price which is better than any one of these Zhaolus your advice and help would be really good thanks.

Regards
Steph

 

[apt26c]

I was told about this great therad. I wanted to mod the Zhaolu 2.5c - replacing the opamps and bypassing the caps, which would do wonders to the sound, I was told. I have gone through a number of the postings in this thread, but..... haven't succeeded in filtering out the pertinent advice/posts for my use yet. Would anyone be kind enough to tell me which of those postings contain (any with diagrams/pictures? THAT would be the best with this junior hi-fi enthusiast) wordings or pictures for opamp replacement (I was told I should use the LM4952), and how to do the bypass.

Any expert instruction will be very appreciated.

Thank you very much, everyone.

Sam

 

[-=Germania=-]

OK, I have gone through roughly 75 pages of this thread and all I have to ask is - Can someone please post a list of the desired mods?

*Already have the op-amps replaced*

I get that the transformer needs to be added to the Coax input - that is absolutely agreed.

Is it only one - or two caps that need be replaced (25V 2200uf with a 35V 2200uf)?

Bypass the input caps. - got that.

Add ZAPfilter (wish I could at the moment - just not funds - too many other projects....)


Is there any other improvements/ Modifications I am forgetting or that are Recommended?



BTW - sometimes the inputs come in very fuzzy and distorted, but usually either keeping it on for a while or turning it on/off/on works to fix the issue. This sounds like a Cap issue if it is fixed by turning off/on - transformer?

Let me know - this is the one I got from Ech0 - saw his post already.

 

[udo]

At Oritek Audio - OMZ DAC Information Page I see a toroidal transformer placed at the coaxial input.

What are the specs for the coil and the windings, wire, etc?
Does the coil support 192 Khz/24bit?

I could get an Amidon from http://www.xs4all.nl/~barendh/Catned/Cat_amidon.htm and do the wire myself.

What about the analog output of the DAC board? Does it support sound over 20 KHz?

 

[minivan]

i installed a pair of burson opamp on the socket.

the zhaolu d3 has output going through 2 stage of opamp. can't changed those 2 small opamp below the 4 green capacitors,not plug and play

found out the dac outputs is where the 4 green capacitors are,
going to remove those 4 green capacitors and connect the burson opamps to there, bypassing all 4 opamp completely. any1 got any suggestion will this work?

 

[keyid]

For 2.5's

Bypassing caps:


Opamps: I think there were two that was most used an LM4562 and OPA2107 in DIP8 package. Available almost everywhere mouser, digikey etc..


Some Zapfilter info: The best mod you can do!




Quote:

Originally Posted by apt26c /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was told about this great therad. I wanted to mod the Zhaolu 2.5c - replacing the opamps and bypassing the caps, which would do wonders to the sound, I was told. I have gone through a number of the postings in this thread, but..... haven't succeeded in filtering out the p Sam