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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 6:13:10 GMT
Hello everyone, I've recently upgraded my SCHA with a JLH courtesy of Sandyk and it sounds great. Recently i've been using a Samsung Galaxy Tab GTP-1000, which uses a Wolfson Microelectronics WM8994 ultra low power with Project Voodoo Sound kernal as a source for my headphone amplifier. I use a 3.5mm headphone to RCA adapter cable connected to the SCHA, but I know that this is less than optimal and I'm now after a DAC that accepts USB input, as most of my music is on an external hard drive. I have been looking at Audio-gd NFB 2.32 which costs 499 USD But i'd like to know what other people's recommendation would be - DIY or prebuilt (i'm partial to DIY, its more satisfying )? Thanks in Advance, Vince.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 13:01:41 GMT
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Nov 16, 2012 8:51:04 GMT
Or if you're partial to diy www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DAC-24BIT-192KHZ-CS8416-AK4396-NE5532P-BOARD-KIT-FOR-DIY-/320808773266Cheap enough to destroy, if things don't go right AKM3496 does have a smooth sound to it. The kits average around the $20.00, from a variety of ebay stores. do a search,,,, also there's some info on diyaudio for it. As for premade one.... well some of the Chinese dac's are well thought out, and some are just from datasheets, either way, sometimes they are not easy to mod too well, layout, space limitations too. Their is also this rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=8599I havn't heard it, but Rabbit has a good ear..,,, so i'm told As for the SMSL AD1955, unknown to me, also havn't heard the ad1955, but there may be space limitations that case too.
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Post by freddypipsqueek on Nov 16, 2012 9:38:07 GMT
I'm sure Alex will chip in with some helpful comments about what is available in Australia.
There is a big difference between a bog standard USB input and a good one. I would tend to spend as much of my budget on a good USB to SPDIF converter such as one of John Kenny's or (if you're looking to reduce your budget) a s/h unmodified hiface (which are now getting close to £60 in the UK).
If you do get a USB to SPDIF convereter then I've tried a Chinese Dac (Lite-AH) and even when modified it did not suit me. I find many of the older DACs still perform very well and I would look for a decent s/h unit - say a Micromega Microdac or better still an Arcam Black Box (which is TDA1541 based). Out of the recent stuff I do have a Styleaudio Sapphire (http://styleaudio.typepad.com/styleaudio_hifi_usb_mini_/2010/05/2010-new-caratsapphire.html) which I rate very highly. They have an Australian dealer. I also find the DAC is very a personal thing as the output stage & chip used is heard throughout the audio chain. John Kenny may wish to comment here but I guess that's why he offers different DACs.
As Pagan says ideally one of John Kenny's DACs is the best solution if you can stretch (current exchange rates appear to be 1.25 Aus Dollars to the Euro so your $500 budget is very close). Ian's recent comments mirror those all over the net.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 9:46:06 GMT
If the budget can stretch that far, then that is what I would suggest too. It should go well with Vince's modified SC (Jaycar) HA. Alex
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Nov 16, 2012 10:07:39 GMT
If the budget can stretch that far, then that is what I would suggest too. It should go well with Vince's modified SC (Jaycar) HA. Alex But at US$500.00 it's dam expensive.. With something like this you could at least hear it first. www.asus.com.au/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_Essence_One/
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 10:19:06 GMT
Still not as expensive as a tricked out Buffalo 3, and more than likely quite close in performance! ;D
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Nov 16, 2012 10:35:11 GMT
Maybe But it's not as much fun getting there.
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Nov 16, 2012 10:42:36 GMT
Alex Also How much of it is the dac, compared to it's implementation. ? Me, myself, I beleive it's more to the implementation of the dac and associated parts rather than just the particular dac.
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Post by freddypipsqueek on Nov 16, 2012 10:47:23 GMT
I agree it's a lot of money. Judging by Ian's comments etc it is however excellent value; as soon as somebody talks about the emotion of the music it must be good kit. I initially thought I could get away with budget stuff. In the end I bought two systems - firstly a good value one and then a very good one which had the emotional impact. Given the JKs reviews it appears to be in the "very good" category at a very reasonable price.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 10:53:29 GMT
Alex Also How much of it is the dac, compared to it's implementation. ? Me, myself, I beleive it's more to the implementation of the dac and associated parts rather than just the particular dac. Allan Perhaps that's why the SC DAC was still used at the recent GTG ? As you know , it takes a lot of work to get the implementation right. It doesn't happen overnight. I expect that J.K. spent heaps of time with his implementation based on previous experience as well. Alex
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Nov 16, 2012 11:13:43 GMT
Alex Also How much of it is the dac, compared to it's implementation. ? Me, myself, I beleive it's more to the implementation of the dac and associated parts rather than just the particular dac. Allan Perhaps that's why the SC DAC was still used at the recent GTG ? As you know , it takes a lot of work to get the implementation right. It doesn't happen overnight. I expect that J.K. spent heaps of time with his implementation based on previous experience as well. Alex Alex And which one was put back on? ? It takes a lot of work and experiments to find what you prefer... Or you can just buy one!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 11:24:09 GMT
Allan Presently D.M. is trying to bring the W4S up to that standard.
Next stage is likely to be 7818 and 7918 VRegs followed by 78L15 and 79L15 for analogue area. Alex
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Nov 16, 2012 13:10:51 GMT
Allan Presently D.M. is trying to bring the W4S up to that standard. Next stage is likely to be 7818 and 7918 VRegs followed by 78L15 and 79L15 for analogue area. Alex Maybe he could cricket the 3.3v and 1.2v lines for the dac.....
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2012 0:33:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2012 23:19:05 GMT
I pulled the pin and ended up buying an ODAC by NwAvguy. I liked his design philosophy and the positive praise heaped upon it on Head-fi.org www.head-fi.org/t/611778/brief-odac-impressions/90I should be getting it the day after tomorrow. Once I have a decent amount of time with it i'll let you guys know of my thoughts.
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