Valab NOS DAC - subjective listening and modifications
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:44 PM Post #1,983 of 2,013
Hi Marcelnl,
 
Yeah I knew that it was discountinue, but I got some one from thlaudio mentioned that they still have
the problems is the price is way to expensive.
What do you think about other substitute?
for example like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/12PCS-47uF-16V-nichicon-FG-Fine-Gold-AUDIO-CAPACITORS-/260812652099?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb9a53e43
tks
 
Jul 21, 2011 at 2:57 AM Post #1,984 of 2,013
http://tech.juaneda.com/en/articles/electrolyticcapacitors.html
 
I'd favor the Elna Silmic2, but I must confess I'm not up to speed on the current caps of choice
 
Aug 5, 2011 at 8:51 PM Post #1,986 of 2,013
Finally, I started my mods
Took off the IC firs for precaution
then remove all the tantalum capacitor and Coupling capacitor
Already install replacement for tantalum capacitor
But still trying figure out the coupling capacitor
 
Nov 10, 2011 at 7:18 AM Post #1,987 of 2,013
hey amigos, I think I could use some help again :frowning2:
in my effort to get rid of static, I managed to break something yet again! A bit too early to tell, but the good news is I don't seem to hear as much static / hum now. The flip side of the coin is now my right channel is about one third as loud as the left one. I am getting something close to 3v drop between the Lout pin and the left RCA out (as I would have expected), whereas a whopping 12v between the right pair. Also, I get about 6v drop across the resistor labeled 340R on the PCB (which I had replaced by texas component ones) on the left side, 0v on the right side. something doesn't seem quite right huh?
 
May 2, 2012 at 2:15 AM Post #1,988 of 2,013
Just wanted to let you know (marcelnl) that I successfully did the DIR9001 mod! I took the damaged IC out, cleaned the pads and then used a heat-gun to reflow the new IC. Luckily only pads 14, 13, 9, 8 & 7 were damaged, and because 9,8,7 are not in use, and pads 13,14 are now useless because of the mod, I didn't even have to "green-wire" anything, just one wire from 13,14 to 3.3V :)

Your schematics were very useful.
 
May 4, 2012 at 1:24 PM Post #1,989 of 2,013
I have been offered a DAC V3.1D (WM8805, one-box) or a DAC V4.0 (DIR9001, external PSU) at approximately the same price. Which would you recommend on SQ grounds? I will be using an iPod Classic via Onkyo ND-S1 as a source (SPDIF).
 
May 6, 2012 at 5:11 PM Post #1,990 of 2,013
I've never seen a Valab with WM8805. Do you have a link?
A separate power supply is always better, buy that's something you can do yourself with the right skill. Going from DIR9001 -> WM8805 is harder or nearly impossible.

The Wolfson and the TI has different sound characteristic, do a search on Google.
 
May 7, 2012 at 8:52 AM Post #1,991 of 2,013
It's sold as the Teradak DAC V3.1D, and you can find it on Teradak's website. AFAIK, the 3.0 was the last one to be branded a "Valab".

Basically, it seems to be a Valab with the input chipset of the Chameleon (to allow Hi-Res via USB). I believe it is fairly new on the market (replaces the 3.0). The 4.0 seems to be a 2.5 with an offboard PSU. The 4.5 is the Chameleon. The 2.6 is a 3.1 with a simpler PSU (no R-core transformer) and replaces the 2.5.
 
May 12, 2012 at 12:50 PM Post #1,992 of 2,013
Does anyone have a (sensibly-priced) recommendation for output caps which will fit in the enclosure? Has anyone tried Wimas?
 
May 13, 2012 at 8:04 PM Post #1,993 of 2,013
The original Sonicaps (5ufd) should be much better than Wimas and are smaller than most films. If you have a receiver/pre with caps on the input you should be able to just remove the output caps and bypass with a wire. I've done this and been very pleased with the results.
 
May 28, 2012 at 4:02 AM Post #1,994 of 2,013
The original Sonicaps (5ufd) should be much better than Wimas and are smaller than most films. If you have a receiver/pre with caps on the input you should be able to just remove the output caps and bypass with a wire. I've done this and been very pleased with the results.

Do you know if the Little Dot Mk. III has caps on the input? If so, I might try this first.
 
May 31, 2012 at 9:28 AM Post #1,995 of 2,013
Quote:
Does anyone have a (sensibly-priced) recommendation for output caps which will fit in the enclosure? Has anyone tried Wimas?

Wima are quite harsh on the highs, but are detailed.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top