|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 22, 2008 21:22:02 GMT
Hey im after a few opinions on the music fidelity 24k dac, what do people think to it? How does it sound if you were to descibe it? Can i be modified at all to improve performance? Cheers  |
|
|
|
Post by canjunkie on Feb 22, 2008 23:08:14 GMT
I used one up until I got a CD24PRE. It was fed digits by my Marantz 6000KSI.
Definitely a touch brighter than the Marantz's own DAC but with the right kit it never seemed to sound the worse for it. I definitely preferred it - it was more involving. Like all the X-series it really benefited from being fed by an X-PSU so it would most likely do well with a Pinkie from what people have said about Mike's little creation.
I've just finished dusting it off ready to go on Ebay so I'll give it a listen for a few days & get back to you.
As for mods, If its anything like the rest of the X-series its probably populated with the sort of Caps 'n' Diodes that Mike rips out of X-Cans, X-10D's etc. I suspect it would benefit from some quality components such as the Panasonic FM/FC's Mike uses. Before I plug it in I'll open it up & take few pics.
|
|
XTRProf
Fully Modded
Pssst ! Got any spare capacitors ?
Posts: 5,689
|
Post by XTRProf on Feb 23, 2008 8:47:52 GMT
Hey im after a few opinions on the music fidelity 24k dac, what do people think to it? How does it sound if you were to descibe it? Can i be modified at all to improve performance? Cheers Hi there, My best advice is still for you to listen to it and decide for yourself whether you like it or not as all systems are moslty different. To help you along, here have a review from Stereophile: www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/825/index.htmlBut don't take it as God sent words, btw.  In general, when you modify any equipment, it will be for the better when you know what you are doing.  Just see Alex and my threads on how we mode the X-Dac V3 for the better. Of course, the ever helpful Leo can help you as well when you decided to mode. There are many helpful souls here for that and I'm sure you know who they are. |
|
bullpup
Been here a while! 
How much is that doggy in the window?
Posts: 517
|
Post by bullpup on Feb 23, 2008 9:46:37 GMT
Interesting advice here however I suspect from Fault151 and certainly my perspective if we were to acquire any MF DAC for subsequent modification which would be the best starting block?
And as an extension of that was the x-24k accidentally or deliberately overlooked?
From the posts here, the V3 seems capable of the most extensive mods, followed by the x-dac.
At one time I think Mike acquired an X-act for modification but I don't think he ever posted what he did and whether it was worth the effort?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2008 10:03:44 GMT
bullpup
The X-24K is an earlier model, and much less sophisticated, although it does use a regulated +-15V supply for the analogue section.
SandyK
|
|
XTRProf
Fully Modded
Pssst ! Got any spare capacitors ?
Posts: 5,689
|
Post by XTRProf on Feb 23, 2008 11:52:05 GMT
Hi bullpup,
From my small research and auditioning something like the zhaolu dac 3, consonance and lite NOS dacs, I find that a second hand x-dac v3 will give the best base for mode for similar price as the bel canto dac 3 and benchmark are basically of similar design. The Bel Canto in fact uses the same BB dac chip whereas the Benchmark uses AD dac chip.
The only things that can beat it technically will be the Cambridge Audio 840C and 740C and Esoteric SA and DV 60. But those will be in another price range.
|
|
bullpup
Been here a while!
How much is that doggy in the window?
Posts: 517
|
Post by bullpup on Feb 23, 2008 14:59:51 GMT
Thank you all very much - plenty of food for thought here.
|
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 23, 2008 18:45:10 GMT
Is the little pinkie a power supply? Would it work well with this dac?
|
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 23, 2008 18:46:23 GMT
I used one up until I got a CD24PRE. It was fed digits by my Marantz 6000KSI. Definitely a touch brighter than the Marantz's own DAC but with the right kit it never seemed to sound the worse for it. I definitely preferred it - it was more involving. Like all the X-series it really benefited from being fed by an X-PSU so it would most likely do well with a Pinkie from what people have said about Mike's little creation. I've just finished dusting it off ready to go on Ebay so I'll give it a listen for a few days & get back to you. As for mods, If its anything like the rest of the X-series its probably populated with the sort of Caps 'n' Diodes that Mike rips out of X-Cans, X-10D's etc. I suspect it would benefit from some quality components such as the Panasonic FM/FC's Mike uses. Before I plug it in I'll open it up & take few pics. Yes please do, i'll be interested to see the pics. |
|
|
|
Post by canjunkie on Feb 24, 2008 22:06:32 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2008 22:36:36 GMT
Miguel So I suppose you are going to use an expensive outboard buffer between it and the next stage, to overcome the lousy drive capabilities of the gutted unit ?  Alex |
|
bullpup
Been here a while!
How much is that doggy in the window?
Posts: 517
|
Post by bullpup on Feb 24, 2008 23:02:43 GMT
Canjunkie
Looks like you have some bulging Jamicons there - perhaps why you don't like the sound?
|
|
|
|
Post by canjunkie on Feb 24, 2008 23:20:53 GMT
bullpup, Tell me about it. I was being good and looking to E-Bay the bugger, I opens it up to take some pics for fault151 & now I'm sitting here making a list to PM mike with........ I'd still say it has the 6000KSI's onboard DAC beat but curiosity is knawing away at me |
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 25, 2008 8:51:48 GMT
What bits could i swap fairly easy that would make a difference? Mine's due to asrrive fairly soon so im keep to have a go add modding a few parts. My experiance in diy audio is pretty basic, but i think i could manage a few things with a bit of help.  |
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 25, 2008 8:52:19 GMT
bullpup, Tell me about it. I was being good and looking to E-Bay the bugger, I opens it up to take some pics for fault151 & now I'm sitting here making a list to PM mike with........ I'd still say it has the 6000KSI's onboard DAC beat but curiosity is knawing away at me Cheers for posting up the pics! There good quality! |
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 25, 2008 8:56:28 GMT
Do you think its worth installing a few of these beauties in the dac to swap with the dacs op amps?  |
|
|
|
Post by canjunkie on Feb 25, 2008 9:13:20 GMT
No problem. As for the pics credit to the Nikon 7600, every now and again it manages to make my photographic skills look good! As for modding, the Jamcons on the lower [PSU] board shouldn't be too hard to replace. I'll have another look later but I know there are far more knowledgeable 'techies' than I around in the grotto - I'm sure they'll point you in the right direction. I don't know what 'iron you've got but Mike highlighted a temperature controlled hot wand from Maplins a while back. As he predicted they're currently reduced from £30 down to £10 until 18th March. I've picked one up as a backup and tried it out when changing caps on my QED and it worked a treat  www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=35016&doy=25m2&criteria=Sale |
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 25, 2008 9:30:58 GMT
yeh it would be great if anyone can point me in the right direction with a few bits i could change/mod on my dac.
|
|
|
|
Post by fault151 on Feb 25, 2008 9:31:54 GMT
What do you think to the hdams above? Think they would make much difference? They are supposed to, but how much, im not sure. No problem. As for the pics credit to the Nikon 7600, every now and again it manages to make my photographic skills look good! As for modding, the Jamcons on the lower [PSU] board shouldn't be too hard to replace. I'll have another look later but I know there are far more knowledgeable 'techies' than I around in the grotto - I'm sure they'll point you in the right direction. I don't know what 'iron you've got but Mike highlighted a temperature controlled hot wand from Maplins a while back. As he predicted they're currently reduced from £30 down to £10 until 18th March. I've picked one up as a backup and tried it out when changing caps on my QED and it worked a treat www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=35016&doy=25m2&criteria=Sale |
|
In general, when you modify any equipment, it will be for the better when you know what you are doing. 
Just see Alex and my threads on how we mode the X-Dac V3 for the better. Of course, the ever helpful Leo can help you as well when you decided to mode. There are many helpful souls here for that and I'm sure you know who they are.
