[Ivan TT]

I finally have some spare time to work on this. Before doing this, I wonder if there're anything I need to pay attention. Thanks in advance.

Not really, as long as you are OK with smd soldering. I used air soldering station, so for me it was: removing original LDOs, removing solder from the pads using wick, applying soldering paste, solder new parts in, touch up with soldering iron (just in case), clean up with isopropyl.
Repeat for all LDOs on both boards.
Good luck and please let us know how it all went for you.
By the way, I placed a copper foil strip covered in kapton tape and soldered to earth between boards, helps to shield analog components from RFI induced noise.

 

[arielp]

Man.. this hanging bug with 'Folder' and 'Folder Shuffle' Play order on 0.4H is really annoying..
always hang..when i skip tracks... and resets the player.. (Zishan DSD 4497)
-- no issue with 'All' and ''One' Playback mode...
(seems only affecting MP3, as my FLAC folder is fine)

i try install 0.4G .. Bug not appear.. but No Sound Output.. as AK4497 support only on 0.4H..

---
seems zishan also not bother to fix this..

 

[dumbears]

BTW, Zishan has modded an enhanced version of the 4497 player by rising its operating voltage to +/- 12V for the OPAMPs and replacing those coupling alumnium eletrolytic caps to tantalum caps.

 

[max232]

Edited, Thanks

 

[max232]

Man.. this hanging bug with 'Folder' and 'Folder Shuffle' Play order on 0.4H is really annoying..
always hang..when i skip tracks... and resets the player.. (Zishan DSD 4497)
-- no issue with 'All' and ''One' Playback mode...
(seems only affecting MP3, as my FLAC folder is fine)

i try install 0.4G .. Bug not appear.. but No Sound Output.. as AK4497 support only on 0.4H..

---
seems zishan also not bother to fix this..

Ghost Audio store page: https://shop72826291.taobao.com/?spm=2013.1.1000126.d21.38704b58ImRfjg
Maybe contact directly?

 

[arielp]

Anyone tried the optical output? What would it take to connect it to an external device? Say a sound bar. This?: https://www.amazon.com/FosPower-Tos..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=W1AMPF1VHYHTQVECEKFX
Is it even worth messing with?

Its not optical.. its coaxial..


Thanks for the contact link . Will try

 

[max232]

I bought the Ghost A-1 amp and I've had several days to try it out. For $50 US (on sale now) it seems to be a good value. I use it in my vehicle paired with the Zishan. I like the fact that it has the volume knob on top. What I don't like is the power switch sticking out of the bottom so you have to lay it on it's side or put three small raised bumpers like I did. It functions while plugged into a charger. I'm certainly not an expert so I'm not going to comment on the sound other than it seems better than the stock Zishan 4497.

 

[jithu215]

Can i play music from zishan dsd 4497 through usb flash drive as otg

 

[arielp]

Can i play music from zishan dsd 4497 through usb flash drive as otg

No you can't

 

[jithu215]

No you can't

So no OTG support.

 

[max232]

So no OTG support.

DAC support with OTG cable for Android so the USB port is not just for charging. Must be a firmware issue.

 

[Ivan TT]

OK, I think I'm done here.

In case you were wondering: yes, it works (just) and sounds great, both balanced and SE.

Opamps:
LPF - AD8599
Balanced out buffer: OPA1688
SE differential: AD797B (not stable in stock, don't even try!)
SE buffer: OPA1622

Both SE and balanced outs are Lo Z.

 

[max232]

WOW! That's really something. What are you comparing it to as far as sound quality?

 

[Ivan TT]

WOW! That's really something. What are you comparing it to as far as sound quality?

TBH I forgot how it sounded like in stock, so can only comment on how it sounds like now.
Powerful clear bass, wide soundstage, very detailed resolving sound and black background.
AD797 has it's signature sound which I like, SE out is colored, but in a way I wanted; balanced is a tad more neutral and clean.
I would say that my attempts above are too excessive and extravagant, but I would love to see Zishan moving onto more modern designs of the output stage, compatible with low impedance headphones, similar to what is happening with Fiio's and iBasso's amplifier modules.

 

[max232]

I'm finding that the most important factor in sound quality is the actual quality of the source material. I'm sure the player has some influence but I question how much.