Tianyun Zero DAC - New 2009 Edition

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioPhewl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Three things spring to mind, for me at least. 1. No matter what functionality improvements are made, many of these boxes died for no apparent reason, and many users were stranded by their dealers. Long term reliability would have to improve massively with a decent support system in place for them to have any hope of rebuilding the Zero name. It was outstanding for the price - but long-term use proved it was junk at any price for many people. 2. I'm wondering... looking at those images, and the fact that none detail the innards - what are the chances that the DAC PCB remains the same, with the USB functionality taken care of by a second board that converts it to S/PDIF and injects it to the socket? 3. It sounds like they are accepting that the heat output of the unit has caused problems in the past, as they are enlarging the heatsinks. Do we think bigger heatsinks are going to help, or does the casing require a better ventilation system? I know the appeal of the unit to those new to the hobby, or working with a limited budget. But after seeing the fall from grace on here, I doubt I'd part with $50 for one delivered... ~Phewl.

AP,
I'll bet I could put a gun to your head and threaten your Dog's life and you wouldn't buy another ZERO!

You've been there, you've done that, and you have two Tee shirts to prove it!

.

 

[AudioPhewl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by les_garten /img/forum/go_quote.gif AP, I'll bet I could put a gun to your head and threaten your Dog's life and you wouldn't buy another ZERO! You've been there, you've done that, and you have two Tee shirts to prove it! .

I've been there, done that, and given away the two non-buzzing transformers!

I'd have another Zero, if I were after some good, cheap sound. But only after the failure rate on here dropped to less than 675 units per month.

It always was a good unit - a very good unit, for a very small price. But I'd end up buying 6 each year... at which point it's no longer a very small price. I spent close to the cost of the Compass on duff Zero DACs. It's an awful shame, because it was a fine sounding piece of equipment and hugely tweakable.

It's just a shame that something so good, and so much fun, failed for so many people over a relatively short period of time. Hey-ho... we live and we learn.

~Phewl.

 

[Mitchell.lax]

For me the Zero was rediculously expensive. It lasted 3 weeks and I payed $200ish USD for it (with opamp upgrades, shipping etc). Thats $66 a week.

I pay less than that in rent.

Will try to fix the Zero because it was a really good sounding unit. Except for the sounds of sparks and crackling as the transformer barbecqued itself.

 

[laobrasuca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioPhewl /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've been there, done that, and given away the two non-buzzing transformers! I'd have another Zero, if I were after some good, cheap sound. But only after the failure rate on here dropped to less than 675 units per month. It always was a good unit - a very good unit, for a very small price. But I'd end up buying 6 each year... at which point it's no longer a very small price. I spent close to the cost of the Compass on duff Zero DACs. It's an awful shame, because it was a fine sounding piece of equipment and hugely tweakable. It's just a shame that something so good, and so much fun, failed for so many people over a relatively short period of time. Hey-ho... we live and we learn. ~Phewl.

but here's a question: how many non moded ZERO units failed? If you mode it a lot it increase the chances of failure, don't? I'm asking it because I'm willing to buy one and not mod it (I would change opamps at most). What's the most current reason for failure? DAC? HP/pre AMP? what?

lao

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by laobrasuca /img/forum/go_quote.gif but here's a question: how many non moded ZERO units failed? If you mode it a lot it increase the chances of failure, don't? I'm asking it because I'm willing to buy one and not mod it (I would change opamps at most). What's the most current reason for failure? DAC? HP/pre AMP? what? lao

READ the ZERO thread, then you will not ask that question...

.

 

[MadMan007]

Hmm lots of Zero hate. I'm sure there were people who had problems but considering its popularity I wonder what percentage it was. We all know more people make noise when something is wrong.

My Zero still works fine and afaik a few that I sold are working fine as well. They were all unmodded stock factory units aside from opamp swaps, were the problems disproportionately from after factory modded ones like Lawrence's or end user?

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm lots of Zero hate. I'm sure there were people who had problems but considering its popularity I wonder what percentage it was. We all know more people make noise when something is wrong. My Zero still works fine and afaik a few that I sold are working fine as well. They were all unmodded stock factory units aside from opamp swaps, were the problems disproportionately from after factory modded ones like Lawrence's or end user?

Mine works great too. I'm getting ready to mode it though :allteeth

Really with well done electronics, you just shouldn't have very many bad ones. The problems that were done were all over the place. You could see if something was done over and over, but it seemed the problems were all over the place with them. There were also a lot that ran for a good while and then "blew up". To me that's the worst because it just plain suggests poor build quality, and maybe poor design quality. Gear with non moving parts should last virtually forever. It is impossible to know the fail rate, but when you see a bunch of guys talking about getting it and then there are a high % of them have failures, you have to pay attention to that.

It's different when they just show up and say they are posting because of a failure. The ZERO thread is rife with people who you can read about thru all the phases.

Wish >> Research >> Contemplate >> Discuss >> Buy >> Recieve a POS

When you see a bunch of those and the Vendor totally abandons them, stick a fork in it, it's done.

.

 

[laobrasuca]

"Wish >> Research >> Contemplate >> Discuss >> Buy >> Recieve a POS"

what you mean by POS?

 

[SalmonSalami]

Piece of Sh--

 

[laobrasuca]

"Piece of Sh--"

oops, ok

 

[laobrasuca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitchell.lax /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was planning to come in here and mention how I just bought a Zero a month ago, and how pissed off I was over the new edition so soon after. But to be honest, there doesn't seem to be that big a difference.

I was about to say that you would not regret the previous Zero as long as it works, but given your new post

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitchell.lax; For me the Zero was rediculously expensive. It lasted 3 weeks and I payed $200ish USD for it (with opamp upgrades, shipping etc). Thats $66 a week. I pay less than that in rent. Will try to fix the Zero because it was a really good sounding unit. Except for the sounds of sparks and crackling as the transformer barbecqued itself.

you may start to regret it now

since the most important improvement they might have done is fix the bad build quality thus increasing the its life-time.

lao

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by laobrasuca /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was about to say that you would not regret the previous Zero as long as it works, but given your new post you may start to regret it now since the most important improvement they might have done is fix the bad build quality thus increasing the its life-time. lao

I'm willing to bet they added a USB receiver chip and that's about it. It would be very hard to trust them again...

.

 

[laobrasuca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haoting /img/forum/go_quote.gif The old champion is back in black and with USB input!

hummmmm, why the USB port is not visible on the back of the top unit?

 

[laobrasuca]

some more precisions from the constructor website (thx google for translation):

Google Translate

 

[AudioPhewl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by laobrasuca /img/forum/go_quote.gif but here's a question: how many non moded ZERO units failed? If you mode it a lot it increase the chances of failure, don't? I'm asking it because I'm willing to buy one and not mod it (I would change opamps at most). What's the most current reason for failure? DAC? HP/pre AMP? what? lao

One of mine was modded, the other was standard.

If they spent another $2 on the PCB, I'm thinking the failure rate would be far lower. As things are, the name is tainted, and too many people have been mucked around by their(a...) reseller. I doubt the Zero will recover, and it's a shame - but the current reputation is - IMO - sadly deserved.

~Phewl.