The Zishan dsd's corner

[LaughMoreDaily]

I like ak4490 in a _modded_ Zishan Z2 a lot, but the amplification and power is also very important. For example I find the Z2 stock sound a bit "dry and harsh",

Only comparing the DAC specifications with AK4490, Zishan DSD PRO with AK4497EQ has a better DAC.
Press the [Portfollio] TAB for quick graph comparative: https://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/detail/0054/#tab02

The interface in DSD requires a lot more of pressing buttons to do simple functions, like volume control or folder skip, I don't like this interface (but I can live with it). I also prefer a pot for volume control.

I've never actually heard someone call the Z2 sound harsh. I have the Z3 isn't it supposed to be the same? I don't necessarily feel that way. Maybe my ears are missing something.

I kind of have an idea why they got rid of the volume knob on the earlier DSD, maybe it's cheaper not to have one? It sure was a cool feature. It sure is odd using those clicky buttons on my Z3.

 

[Merlin-PT]

We all have different perception and taste, also not all Z2 units have the same writings in the opamps, they all write the same brand and model, but they don't look the same at all.
Some Z2 units were delivered with different writings in the same opamps, I guess "Chinese have a lot of factories with a lot of different printings" and all these markings are different from the original opamps bought from USA manufactures or from other countries.
See my photos in a previous post.

Another opinion on Z2:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/zishan-family-z1-z2.22550/reviews
quote:
"Humidity wise, Z2 sound a little drier at the treble section which might make it not that “musical” for me."

Like I said all that went away when I changed the opamps and capacitors in my Z2, I love the sound my modded Z2 has, now with the same opamps and nichicon fine gold caps bought from USA supplier. Night and day difference here. I went from I don't like the sound to loving it, using the same components brand. I would buy the Z2 again, I find it very good (detailed and musical) after replacing those components.

Maybe they removed the pot in Z3 to make the player smaller, I don't know.

EDIT:
I said in my prev. post: I find the Z2 stock sound a _bit_ "dry and harsh".
English is not my first Language as you can see from my posts.

 

[PapaHet]

Which IEMs doesn't it like of yours?

Well, I am still waiting for my DM6. I hope they will work together at the end of the day and if I remember correctly, someone stated that he runs the DSD with a pair of DM6 and it sounds fine - I just don´t know which DSD version he has and if I remember correctly, someone stated that the higher impedance output of the DSD will slightly affect the DM6s sound.

So therefore and in preparation for the moment my DM6 get delivered, I would like to know what would be optional headphones on a budget to match the high impedance output of the DSD

 

[Merlin-PT]

I prefer the ELNA 220uF that came with the DSD, instead of the nichicon fine gold 220uF that I tried at same spot.
Nichicon fine gold gives more body to the sound and I find ELNA here more clear and a better sounding option for my personal taste.
This without replacing anything else, so I got back to stock DSD from this mod.

DSD stock sound is musical and sounds good, but I think there's the tiniest bit of veil for my personal taste, I prefer a bit more open and in my face sound that sometimes people could identify with more tiring sound. DSD stock sound is not tiring and I think it's very balanced in all freq. range (low, mid, high) and out of the box pleasant to listen to, I also like this a lot, but I'll try to adjust it to my preferences.

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

DSD stock sound is not tiring and I think it's very balanced in all freq. range (low, mid, high) and out of the box pleasant to listen to, I also like this a lot, but I'll try to adjust it to my preferences.

Don't change the DSD! Change your own preferences!

 

[buzzbuzz]

I am testing a few op amps on Zishan DSD

The first op amp I received was LME49860, in the same family as the stock LME49720. So I was expecting the same sound profile, but I was surprised to find that LME49860 has fuller and louder mid bass. Both have slightly warm sound and very low noise/hiss.

From what I have read, the LME49720 output stage is optimized for supply voltages under +-17 volts. The LME49860 is optimized for +-14.5 to 22 volts. Other than that, they are identical.

Can someone who have knowledge of the power components of the Zishan DSD explain why these two opamps from the same family having slightly different sound?

 

[musicday]

My Zishan 4497 is for sale if anyone interested. I have decided to save for a music player that can stream tidal.

 

[Draknodd]

My Zishan 4497 is for sale if anyone interested. I have decided to save for a music player that can stream tidal.

Sent pm

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

My Zishan 4497 is for sale if anyone interested. I have decided to save for a music player that can stream tidal.

Sent pm

I think he already knows that.

 

[F700]

Zishan DSD Pro with FiiO A5 and Sony XBA-N3AP = very good combo for the office the AK4497eq makes wonders here

 

[stmiller]

Zishan DSD Pro with FiiO A5 and Sony XBA-N3AP = very good combo for the office the AK4497eq makes wonders here

Lovely..

Do you experience any distortion at high volumes?

 

[stmiller]

Zishan dsd doesn't support. m4a file extension

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

Zishan dsd doesn't support. m4a file extension

It has better things to do, like support wav's.

 

[F700]

Lovely..

Do you experience any distortion at high volumes?

No distortion at high volume, but high volume is relative... I am listening quite loud, but I have a clean powerful sound with the A5

 

[F700]

It has better things to do.

It reads my m4a.file without problems... Just a few tracks are not read... But I don't know why some are read and others not...