[moshe tes]

Some more photos of my Z3 ak4493:
(random timeline, not the last iteration in mid 2019)

Spoiler: DAC side

Spoiler: Screen side

What are those LDO mods you did on the screen side?

 

[Merlin-PT]

What are those LDO mods you did on the screen side?

(1)
On the screen side cut the 5V PCB track that feeds the DAC from the 5V DC-DC converter and install a 5V LDO to feed the DAC.
Increase the 5V DC converter xxx mV above 5V, so the used 5V LDO model can do it's job well.
(The value of xxx mV depends on LDO model used.)

5V LDO MOD (what track to cut):

Spoiler

Two more photos to use with the previous ones, to help track the power lines in both sides of the PCB:

Spoiler

(This last image I random found in the net and it's from AK4490 Z3 PCB, but HOLES are the same.
I wrote the voltages in red pointing to the holes that go to the other side of the PCB.)

(2)
To do the 3.3V LDO mod, 2 tracks must be cut in the screen side, the oled screen must be removed to cut one track behind it. Maybe it's too much trouble to do this part.
The idea is on the screen side to cut the 3.3V PCB tracks that comes from the 3.3V LDO and use only one LDO to feed the DAC 3.3V and install another 3.3V LDO to feed the rest.


NOTE: These LDO mods were originally posted at player.ru (I didn't kept the link).

 

[maxxkur]

I just received Z3 CS43198. Pics under spoiler

Spoiler: pics

 

[Merlin-PT]

@maxxkur
Thanks, it looks nice.
2x 1.8V LDOs to DAC and 1x 3.3V LDO to cpu, screen and microsd?
DC converter only to the opamp.
What are your first impressions, do you like the sound ?

Mine is on the mail, will take a lot to arrive (3 weeks to +-1 month).

 

[maxxkur]

@maxxkur
Thanks, it looks nice.
2x 1.8V LDOs to DAC and 1x 3.3V LDO to cpu, screen and microsd?
What are your first impressions, do you like the sound ?

Yes, 2 LDO 1.8v for digital and analog DAC supply ( LN113A182MR ) and one RT9193-33GB for all 3.3v supply ( like AK4490/4493 Z3 ).
Player sounds much better than stock AK4490 ( maybe even better than stock АК4493

 

[maxxkur]

First simple mod

 

[Merlin-PT]

Does it have the Cirrus Logic dacs sound signature?

Following stm datasheet and changing the caps around the cpu improved the sound in my Z3 ak4493. I even put 1 or 2 more in other stm power pins and still listened for improvements.

 

[maxxkur]

Does it have the Cirrus Logic dacs sound signature?

Probably yes - like a more detail version of CS4398. But it has six digital filters in menu and the sound depends of these filters strongly (especially after mods). Filters: Default, Slow Phase, NOS, Fast Low, Fast Phase and Slow Low. No working screen noise at all after removing capacitors ( hello ak4490/4493 )

 

[Merlin-PT]

I'm looking for Cirrus type sound with this
Nice to have filters for personal taste.

 

[willyboyaudio]

First simple mod

Hi @maxxkur thank you for sharing the photos of the stock unit, as well as your mods. Would you mind explaining what changes were made and why you made those changes?
From the photos at least I can see you replaced the two electrolytic caps with two resistors, and replaced two resistors with 0R, effectively a jumper?
Very interesting, I'd like to learn more if you don't mind. Thank you!!

 

[maxxkur]

Hi @maxxkur thank you for sharing the photos of the stock unit, as well as your mods. Would you mind explaining what changes were made and why you made those changes?
From the photos at least I can see you replaced the two electrolytic caps with two resistors, and replaced two resistors with 0R, effectively a jumper?
Very interesting, I'd like to learn more if you don't mind. Thank you!!

The output capacitors and 100R resistors in the Z3 are almost useless due to the dual-supply power supply, but distort the sound on low impedance headphones and hybrids. At the output, a 4.7-10R resistor is sufficient for OpAmp protection

 

[willyboyaudio]

The output capacitors and 100R resistors in the Z3 are almost useless due to the dual-supply power supply, but distort the sound on low impedance headphones and hybrids. At the output, a 4.7-10R resistor is sufficient for OpAmp protection

Thanks @maxxkur. Does the Z3 AK4493 also have dual power supply? I use it to drive a Topping NX1S, which is a high impedance. No problems so far, but if it improves the sound quality, I might try it.
If you have owned or listened to the AK4493 version, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it compared to the new CS. Thank you!

 

[maxxkur]

Thanks @maxxkur. Does the Z3 AK4493 also have dual power supply? I use it to drive a Topping NX1S, which is a high impedance. No problems so far, but if it improves the sound quality, I might try it.
If you have owned or listened to the AK4493 version, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it compared to the new CS. Thank you!

All Z2/Z3/T1/DSD also have dual power supply. I have got all z3 versions ( 4493/4490/43198 ) - 4493 higher class DAC than 4490 and 43198. The only complaint about the 43198 is less deep bass in comparison with 4493/4490 but i haven't done yet power supply mod
Now my Z3 CS43198 looks like this. OpAmp OPA1656.

 

[maxxkur]

Last mod - added low-noise LDO, snubber and bigger capacitors The operating time compared to the AK4490 is approximately 3 hours longer ( 8.45 аnd 11.40 ).

 

[Merlin-PT]

@maxxkur
Thanks for all details. I'll try the snubber next time I open one of my Z3's.