Walnut V3 dac amp with balanced output

[DBaldock9]

If the Walnut v3 DAP can handle .m3u Playlist files, and sounds as good as my other AK4490 DAPs (Shanling M1 & M2s, & Caying N3), then I'll buy one.

If it can't handle Playlists, or has other issues/problems, I'm going to see about assembling a hybrid unit - by incorporating a Zishan Z2 DAP and my Walnut F1 Amp into a custom enclosure.
I'll remove the Volume Pot, Op-Amp, and other Headphone Output components from the Z2, and wire the Line Output to a 3.5mm TRS switch-type Line Input jack for the F1 (if no plug is inserted, then the Z2 feeds the Input of the F1, otherwise the signal on the plug is the Input).
Instead of a pair of 1,500mAh Li-Ion batteries (and having to use 2 USB cables to charge the unit), I'll see about connecting one 5,000 - 6,000mAh battery to the charge circuit of the Z2 (so that the USB data can feed the DAC function), and also hook the F1 to the +3.7VDC & GND of the battery. The F1 will be modified by adding a BrownDog adapter, to use a pair of LME49710HA Op-Amps; as well as lowering the amp circuit gain, and upgrading the capacitors.

 

[HUGO SILVA]

If the Walnut v3 DAP can handle .m3u Playlist files, and sounds as good as my other AK4490 DAPs (Shanling M1 & M2s, & Caying N3), then I'll buy one.

If it can't handle Playlists, or has other issues/problems, I'm going to see about assembling a hybrid unit - by incorporating a Zishan Z2 DAP and my Walnut F1 Amp into a custom enclosure.
I'll remove the Volume Pot, Op-Amp, and other Headphone Output components from the Z2, and wire the Line Output to a 3.5mm TRS switch-type Line Input jack for the F1 (if no plug is inserted, then the Z2 feeds the Input of the F1, otherwise the signal on the plug is the Input).
Instead of a pair of 1,500mAh Li-Ion batteries (and having to use 2 USB cables to charge the unit), I'll see about connecting one 5,000 - 6,000mAh battery to the charge circuit of the Z2 (so that the USB data can feed the DAC function), and also hook the F1 to the +3.7VDC & GND of the battery. The F1 will be modified by adding a BrownDog adapter, to use a pair of LME49710HA Op-Amps; as well as lowering the amp circuit gain, and upgrading the capacitors.

hi my friend, in your opinion, you think the walnut v3 is much better tham zishan z2? thank you

 

[DBaldock9]

hi my friend, in your opinion, you think the walnut v3 is much better tham zishan z2? thank you

I haven't heard either unit. But people here on Head-Fi have said that the Z2 sounds better than the Z1 (which I do have, and I like how it sounds).

On a recent Facebook page post, I read that issues with the casework for the v3, have caused some delays to the shipping / delivery dates.

I'm going to wait until I hear from people who pre-ordered, and have received their v3, before I decide on ordering a v3 or a Z2.

 

[fairx]

Hope this will be good contender to zishan DSD. Can't belive how much Chi-fi churning out stuff and keeping up with booming earbud trend. More stuff for cheap. Now we have dap / dac / amp in all price range.

Subbed.

 

[93EXCivic]

I am waiting to see if these are actually balance or if they just have a balanced output.

 

[DBaldock9]

I am waiting to see if these are actually balance or if they just have a balanced output.

If the Walnut v3 is based on the Walnut F1 amplifier structure, then it is not fully balanced - since the F1 has a single dual-channel Op-Amp (OPA2134PA) at it's input, with the two output channels going to a pair of DRV134PA Single-Ended to Differential Audio Line Driver chips. The Balanced output of the DRV134PA amps then drive the 2.5mm TRRS jack.

A fully balanced design would take the Balanced output of the AK4490 DAC, and amplify all four "channels" (L+), (L-), (R+), & (R-) all the way through to the 2.5mm TRRS output jack.

Looking at the CKLewis Audio Store AliExpress page, I see this description of the v3 - "1. BB OPA2604 fever bile, the machine a total of three op amps [two single op amp (NE5534) a dual op amp, all op amp supply voltage + -15V]"
So, I don't know how they're able to drive the Balanced output - since you need at least 4 amplifier outputs, one each going to the 4 pins on the 2.5mm TRRS jack.

One thing I noticed is that the NE5534 single channel Op-Amps range from $0.85 to $1.74 at Mouser Electronics, while the DRV134PA Differential Audio Line Drivers are $4.88 to $5.86.

 

[musicday]

This may be a good one for the price but i will suggest to everyone to save a bit more and buy Shanling M3s. Definitely will last longer and sound better

 

[thelonius97]

This may be a good one for the price but i will suggest to everyone to save a bit more and buy Shanling M3s. Definitely will last longer and sound better

But won't that be around 3x the cost of this?

 

[musicday]

But won't that be around 3x the cost of this?

Indeed that's why i recommend to wait , save and buy around Christmas.Price will come down.

 

[HUGO SILVA]

Indeed that's why i recommend to wait , save and buy around Christmas.Price will come down.

55$ is a good price to Walnut V3?

 

[musicday]

55$ is a good price to Walnut V3?

No.

 

[HUGO SILVA]

No.

and what would be a good price for walnut v3?

 

[musicday]

and what would be a good price for walnut v3?

$40. The quality is not high and there may be problems with screen etc..
I personally would save and go for something else even M1 is budget is tight.

 

[JesvsR]

Everybody talking good things about the Walnuts and, suddenly, the v3 doesn't have high quality??? They have not send any unit yet!!

I think it can be a good option for a budget DAP with DAC USB option (A very important virtue for me) and also screen and balanced output. Let's wait for the first impressions.

Some of us doesn't have enough money for the Shanlings, which I think they don't have the USB DAC function, at least the cheaper ones

 

[musicday]

Some will be happy,some won't. That was just my opinion. Pretty satisfied with Zishan Z2 so far.