DacMagic Mods from AudioCom

[addicted]

Hi all,

I'm toying with the idea of either upgrading my DacMagic now
or wait quite a few months to buy another DAC (Benchmark,
Audio-GD, Stello..).

I've known about Audiocom for some time but haven't really
heard anything substantial about the effectiveness of the
mods offered:

DacMagic Level-1 Upgrade (£115 + VAT)

■ 4x Panasonic FC analogue power supply capacitors.
■ 2x Sanyo OSCON SP analogue regulation bypass capacitors.
■ 1x Specially selected, NOS low noise regulators for analogue supply (DAC).
■ 1x Panasonic FC DAC regulation bypass capacitors.
■ 2x Sanyo OSCON SP for digital regulation bypass (clock).
■ 5x Sanyo OSCON SP for DSP & input receiver decoupling.
■ 3x Sanyo OSCON SP for digital input decoupling.
■ 4x LME49720 for low-pass filter.

DacMagic Level-2 Upgrade (£157 + VAT)

■ 4x Panasonic FC analogue power supply capacitors.
■ 2x Sanyo OSCON SP analogue regulation bypass capacitors.
■ 1x Super-regulator 3 for analogue supply (DAC).
■ 1x Panasonic FC DAC regulation bypass capacitors.
■ 1x Sanyo OSCON SP for digital regulation bypass (clock).
■ 2x Panasonic FC digital power supply capacitors.
■ 5x Panasonic FC digital regulation bypass capacitors.
■ 5x Sanyo OSCON SP for DSP & input receiver decoupling.
■ 3x Sanyo OSCON SP digital input decoupling.
■ 1x Rubycon ZA decoupling for logic circuits.
■ 4x LME49720 for low-pass filter.

My main concern is the Opamp they use (LME49720). I've heard
some good and soom bad reports about it. Most seem to say
that it increases the soundstage which may give the impression
of recessed mids. Some mention that the bass is less extended
with the LME49720.

So I was hoping for some input:

1. Is it worthwile having either Stage 1 or stage 2 done without
replacing the opamps?
2. Could the opamps be replaced with a socketed configuration
so I could try out other opamps?
3. Anyone care to add experiences with the LME49720 against
the stock NE5532?

Comments appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

[Will]

Hi Mike,

I don't know about the mods, but replacing the JRC5532 op-amp in my cheapo dac rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=m&action=display&thread=1672&page=1 (lots of reading, sorry) made a huge positive difference, along with the other modifications.
The LME49720 is essentially the LM4562, which if fed a good supply can provide an amazing performance. If you go for the 'metal can version' of the LM49720, with the HA suffix, there is a further improvement.

This is my experience, but as you say, if you have DIL sockets installed, then you can try a variety of op-amps or discrete modules, until you find one that suits your tastes.

Check that you don't already have socketed op-amps, that way you could buy a few op-amps and try different ones.

For my part, I do like the LME49720, but have a read of the AudioGD section to get a view on discrete units.

[traf]

The opamps and most other components in the dacmagic are surface mounted so will be a b****r to replace, and don't really give the option to revert back afterwards if you don't like the result. I replaced my Dacmagic with a VDac, which is a lot easier to mod and to my ears at least sounds quite a bit better than the dacmagic (which sounds a bit congested in comparison, albeit wasn't modded, so I'm not really comparing like with like.)

[Will]

Surface mount components?

That is no DIY bodger friendly at all!

[addicted]

May 21, 2009 16:12:16 GMT Will said:

Hi Mike,

I don't know about the mods, but replacing the JRC5532 op-amp in my cheapo dac rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=m&action=display&thread=1672&page=1 (lots of reading, sorry) made a huge positive difference, along with the other modifications.
The LME49720 is essentially the LM4562, which if fed a good supply can provide an amazing performance. If you go for the 'metal can version' of the LM49720, with the HA suffix, there is a further improvement.

This is my experience, but as you say, if you have DIL sockets installed, then you can try a variety of op-amps or discrete modules, until you find one that suits your tastes.

Check that you don't already have socketed op-amps, that way you could buy a few op-amps and try different ones.

For my part, I do like the LME49720, but have a read of the AudioGD section to get a view on discrete units.

Many thanks Will. I'll check out that link and the Audio-GD forum.

I hear mixed reports on the LME49720 but I guess everyone's
looking for their own sound and coming from a different
starting point. Great that you like it Will.

Actually, I've been really tempted by the Audio GD DACs.
The Reference One looks fantastic. My price range at the moment
would limit me to the DAC-19MK3 but I'm waiting in initial
reviews.

Thanks for your help Will.

[addicted]

May 21, 2009 16:33:11 GMT traf said:

The opamps and most other components in the dacmagic are surface mounted so will be a b****r to replace, and don't really give the option to revert back afterwards if you don't like the result. I replaced my Dacmagic with a VDac, which is a lot easier to mod and to my ears at least sounds quite a bit better than the dacmagic (which sounds a bit congested in comparison, albeit wasn't modded, so I'm not really comparing like with like.)

Forgive my ignorance but given that the opamps are surface
mounted, does that make it impossible to implement a socketed
setup?

The V-Dac is a remote possibility but I'd be starting from an
unknown (for me) Traf.

[traf]

I suppose in theory you might be able to solder a DIL socket onto pcb pads designed for a narrow SOIC package but I wouldn't like to try

Pic of the internals of a Dacmagic (courtesy of 'oneblackdog', lifted off the web) here: i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg30/oneblackdog/dacmagic1sy6.jpg

The 6 opamps sit above the green electrolytic capacitors, and you'll note there are a few other components close by, making things even more difficult. The certainly get your money's worth with the component count though

There is a thread on the VDac in the MF section - pm me if you want some additional detail on what I've done with mine.

[addicted]

May 21, 2009 20:25:12 GMT traf said:

I suppose in theory you might be able to solder a DIL socket onto pcb pads designed for a narrow SOIC package but I wouldn't like to try

Pic of the internals of a Dacmagic (courtesy of 'oneblackdog', lifted off the web) here: i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg30/oneblackdog/dacmagic1sy6.jpg

The 6 opamps sit above the green electrolytic capacitors, and you'll note there are a few other components close by, making things even more difficult. The certainly get your money's worth with the component count though

There is a thread on the VDac in the MF section - pm me if you want some additional detail on what I've done with mine.

Ahhh. I see what you mean

Many thanks for that. I'll look into the VDac and shoot you a PM
when I have some questions.

Thanks again.