[PatOMalley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Historicus /img/forum/go_quote.gif PatOMalley: How much does such an output Cinemag transformer cost? On their site I couldn't find the prices. Thanks

I just did a search and found $40 as the current going price. You will need two of them, add up to $50 for enclosures and hookup cables if going outboard. All for under $150.

 

[tubes]

Maybe we could talk Kevin into making a Dac using the transformers and placing it all in a larger enclosure.

Phill

 

[PatOMalley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubes /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe we could talk Kevin into making a Dac using the transformers and placing it all in a larger enclosure. Phill

He said it was cost prohibitive to the price range he was targeting but if there is interest I don't see why he wouldn't want to.

But we are halfway there. Give me a bit of time after the cap mod and I can put together a little info on how to box up the trannies. I can send Kevin an email on best way to go on the build.

 

[crumplertm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubes /img/forum/go_quote.gif To access the RCA's the lid has to be removed by removing the 2 top screws on the front and rear plates, the nut on the RCA then needs to be tightened, take care not to twist the RCA as you tighten the nut you can damage the solder joint with the wire. Make sure you unplug the dac before removing the cover. Disclaimer, proceed at your own risk. PS-Tell Kevin about your problem.

Hey thanks phill, will try see if it works. Anyway during burning in does the dac have to be connected to a source? Or leaving the dac on will do the trick?

 

[PatOMalley]

crumplertm,

You need a load through the outputs.
What I did was to run the CDP on random/repeat out to the headphones thru the night and during the day when I was away/at work. I already had about 50+ hours but I did this headphone thing, on and off, for 6 or 7 more days.

 

[tubes]

You need to have a signal passing through it.

 

[rbej]

Nice DAC

 

[tubes]

Yes it looks very nice, what Dac is it?

 

[rbej]

DAC

 

[krisno]

I would much rather go for this!

Hi-END DIR9001+TDA1541A*4 NOS DAC Kit TDA1541 - eBay (item 220343020924 end time Jan-21-09 06:59:02 PST)

+ this output stage:

HDAM analog output driver for DAC, TDA1541 on eBay, also Other, Amplifiers, Home Audio, Electronics (end time 21-Jan-09 05:45:46 GMT)

They are made to match..... that thing really is amazing, and not expensive $300 + transformer / torroidal of your choosing. Just get a box to mount it in, and you got the best DAC ever??

The old school guys really say that the TDA1541A is the best chip ever. When you read the specs from Phillips, the 1541A is the high performance, the 1543 is low performance.

Good luck!

 

[tubes]

Krisno, Best Dac ever, come on man, since you are so in love with this chip let me tell you my first ever CD player was a Magnavox and it used the TD 1541a chip, it was one of the foulest sounding pieces of digital I've ever heard, so much for specs. The HDAM is a discrete op-amp, why would you want any op-amp discrete or not.

 

[krisno]

OK, I will shut up.. just that every senios hifi guy praises that chip... You still got that Magnavox?? But I agree, the 1543 valab is the richest thing I have ever heard! and if it breaks in , I am in for a big treat.

 

[PatOMalley]

You don;t want a gain stage, discrete or otherwise, after the DACs.
Best to not even have those caps, and they will go when you get the transformer.

And that DAC has only 4x when the magic number is 8x.

I think the VALAB is the best rendition of the design except for the caps, but the designer admits that.

8x TDA1543 with passive output is the penultimate config.
ultimate being tranny coupled.

That's the camp i'm in.

 

[crumplertm]

Thank you for the advice. I would like to ask which input will produce the best audio output. The USB, optical or coaxial?

 

[tubes]

Right now I favor toslink, it is a little more 3 dimensional but not quite as smooth as coax. I'm using a cheap Toslink so maybe a higher quality one would help. I only tried USB briefly with my laptop so I can't really comment.