AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Discless Circle => Topic started by: mresseguie on 22 Mar 2019, 10:02 pm
-
It's here!
Pics to follow. I'm reserving the first two replies for my content, so readers can get my impressions early in this thread.
First photos: I'll correct the orientation soon.
Considering how much I paid for this DAC, I am not impressed by the packaging. That said, there is no damage to the box nor the DAC.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=192387)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=192388)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=192389)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=192390)
-
Saved
The DAC is powered up. I have the Cherry DAC USB Converter attached. I'll let everything settle down, warm up, and just play music for a few hours.
Out of the box and not yet burned in, it sounds better than the Gustard X20u DAC. My dB Audio Labs Tranquility DAC is in Taiwan, so I won't be able to compare its sound to this DAC.
:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
-
Saved
-
Never heard of it. $5800 plus shipping?
http://sw1xad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SW1X_UK_price_list_2017.pdf (http://sw1xad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SW1X_UK_price_list_2017.pdf)
Would be nice if they showed some measurements instead of the rats nest in the pics. :lol:
-
Jason,
As one esoteric DAC owner to another esoteric DAC owner: I hadn't heard of your DAC until you posted about it either. :)
Since I do not live in the UK, I am not subject to the VAT. :nono:
-
Thanks for sharing.
Interesting DAC.
-
Wow! Congrats Michael! :thumb:
Definitely look forward to your thoughts and impressions. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to have another local get together and do a comparison with the Lampi Atlantic since they’re both in the same price range.
-
Wow! Congrats Michael! :thumb:
Definitely look forward to your thoughts and impressions. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to have another local get together and do a comparison with the Lampi Atlantic since they’re both in the same price range.
Hi, Tommy!
You must be prescient. Sometime in the next month, Greg Fisk will drive down from Seattle. I do believe he will bring his Atlantic with him. I guess I could be persuaded to post impressions. :)
-
Hi, Tommy!
You must be prescient. Sometime in the next month, Greg Fisk will drive down from Seattle. I do believe he will bring his Atlantic with him. I guess I could be persuaded to post impressions. :)
Awesome. I remember you guys comparing the Tranquility/Atlantic last year so that’s cool you get to do it again.
-
Sorry for the delay, but my life has been too damned busy to post much here.
Greg Fisk will arrive tomorrow afternoon with his Lampi Atlantic, two amps, and some cables. This is going to be very interesting.
Stay tuned.
-
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=193943)
-
That get together was a blast. [They usually are.]
Greg and Alan were there. Steve and John came to visit as well. Steve is an AC member, but John isn’t. Steve has a large collection of vintage gear. John has his father’s vintage Mitsubishi gear with Kef LS-50 speakers. I hadn’t known Mitsubishi made audio gear.
Both the Lampizator Atlantic and the SW1X level III STD DAC are fantastic DACs. They are so revealing that we could hear differences between the different amps. Which amps? My Don Sachs Kootenay 120, an old Hafler XX280, Rouge Audio 1200as2, and Mivera purepower SE 1200as2. I forgot the Hafler’s correct name, so I used ‘XX’. The 280 is correct though.
The Hafler is a very nice sounding amp. This was my first time hearing one. Now I know why they have such a loyal following.
Personally, I thought the Lampi and the SW1X sounded nearly identical to my ears.
I’ll add more later. I’v got things to do this weekend and this must wait.
-
Not to sound wierd..... but why does a get toghter sometimes start with hide the cable?
I had to leave before the real fun.
Alan
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=193947)
-
Very nice guys! Thanks!
-
Not to sound wierd..... but why does a get toghter sometimes start with hide the cable?
I had to leave before the real fun.
Alan
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=193947)
Very nice ! you Gentleman must had a ball !
Yesterday some one had placed an ad to sell a Kooteney 120 for 1/2 price ! on Audiogon ! I immediately bid for it but was told this morning it was already sold ! add was posted at 7.35 PM I bid around 9:30 Pm for it
Wig had told me about SW1X DAC's did some research on the net . they looked very interesting it but I already had the DirectStream DAC so I passed on it Wow ! comparing to Lamizator Atlantic & both sounded the Same !!! well than it must be a very impressive DAC :thumb:
I am a big fan of cables so what cables do you use Michael
Asghar
-
Are the speakers Daedalus Apollo's?
-
Fado,
Yes. These are Daedalus Apollo speakers. They are incredibly good speakers. I have to pinch myself periodically to verify I’m not dreaming.
Ashgar,
Most of the cables are Triode Wire Labs. I have one Obsession NCF powering my D Sachs Model 2; a Seven Plus powering my Pi Audio UberBUSS; a second Seven Plus from the UberBUSS to my Kootenay 120; and my dB Audio Labs DAC power cable powering my SW1X DAC plugged into the UberBUSS.
I haven’t experimented with the Obsession’s powering other components yet. I figured the Obsession would have the greatest impact on the preamp. I’m curious if it would help the DAC.
Later this summer I plan to try using 2 pairs of SAS Audio RCA cables. I don’t much care for the connectors on my TWL RCA cables. I do like the connectors on my SAS RCA cables. [Sorry, Pete.]
-
Very nice ! you Gentleman must had a ball !
Yesterday some one had placed an ad to sell a Kooteney 120 for 1/2 price ! on Audiogon ! I immediately bid for it but was told this morning it was already sold ! add was posted at 7.35 PM I bid around 9:30 Pm for it
Wig had told me about SW1X DAC's did some research on the net . they looked very interesting it but I already had the DirectStream DAC so I passed on it Wow ! comparing to Lamizator Atlantic & both sounded the Same !!! well than it must be a very impressive DAC :thumb:
I am a big fan of cables so what cables do you use Michael
Asghar
Half price? That’s insane. I would have bid on it, too.
-
Any more SPDIF convertor comparisons?
-
I’m afraid the comparison between the Ciunas and AR.T converters is stalled because of a third tube’s misbehavior. I’m still relatively new to tubes, so I imagine I’ll have to get used to tubes dying at inopportune moments.
Michael
-
I have been pretty lucky with my tubes and I run 16 tubes in all!
What are the tubes in the Dac?
I am very interested in the comparison as ART is the lowest jitter of any unit by far. The Ciunas is mediocre in that regard, but he feels there are other more important factors in implementation. Really can’t wait. I am using an Allo Digione with a Teddy Pardo power supply to feed SPDIF into my ANK 4.1 LE DAC and it’s very good. But, I have always wanted to try an ART Legato.
-
Michael
Which tubes are giving you all the problems?
-
I’m afraid the comparison between the Ciunas and AR.T converters is stalled because of a third tube’s misbehavior. I’m still relatively new to tubes, so I imagine I’ll have to get used to tubes dying at inopportune moments.
Michael
What kind of tubes? I have some lying around if you want me to send one or two to you.
-
I should have been clearer wrt my complaint about tubes. While it's true the first tube to fail was the rectifier tube on the DAC, replacement tubes are readily available. My second tube to fail was a KT-88 on my amp. My third tube is one (or 2?) 6SN7 tubes. When I have a few spare moments, I'll check to see if it's a one- or a two-tube problem.
My wife returns from Taiwan tonight, so my life will be well regimented once again. The wild parties will have to wait until next year.
I'll have to check to see which other tubes are used in my DAC in case (when) a tube fails. I definitely want to have a set of back up tubes.
I've been a bit low key in this thread, but this SW1X DAC is incredible. Individual instruments stand out especially clearly. Soundstage is deep and 3D. The only times music hasn't sounded wonderful with this DAC were when I played an MQA track and during poorly recorded music.
-
I've been a bit low key in this thread, but this SW1X DAC is incredible. Individual instruments stand out especially clearly. Soundstage is deep and 3D. The only times music hasn't sounded wonderful with this DAC were when I played an MQA track and during poorly recorded music.
I was thinking of buying the SW1X DAC III & would be grateful for your feedback about it, now that you have spent some quality time with it.
Thanks
-
I'd forgotten that this thread existed. :duh:
Well, I think you are in for a real treat. Slawa has tweaked the design a bit since I bought mine, so what you hear will actually be better than what I hear.
I like this DAC so much that I've asked Slawa to help me squeeze out a little more liquid gold by using better caps, Directly heated vintage 5R4 rectifier tube (from the 60s) in the PSU, Audio Note copper caps, an extras set of tubes (cuz tubes eventually burn out), and a few other adjustments. I figure that spending a little for an upgrade (which will yield real aural benefits) will keep me quite satisfied for a while <famous last words>.
I think Slawa described the improvement as DAC III STD+, but not quite up to the 'Special' level. I honestly thought hard about trading it in for a DAC IV STD, but there is no way my wife would accept that without my bribing her with a diamond necklace (or similar bauble)....too much money.
Having this DAC in my main system makes it difficult to 'go back' to my dB Audiolabs Tranquility. The Tranquility is no slouch, but it is very much outclassed by the DAC III. Guys have sat down in the sweet spot and dropped their jaws (really!) at what they heard.
I think a DAC III STD will make you a happy camper - especially if your other gear is up to the task.
Michael
-
My upgraded SW1X DAC III+ has just arrived! :banana piano: :hyper: :dance:
It has been unboxed; plugged in, and connected to my gear. It was cold outside, so the inside guts may need a little time to warm up. I'll post a little later tonight and include a couple new photographs.
Michael
~two hours of warming......superb....3D....Charles Mingus "Boogie Shop Shuffle" playing....amazing.....My wife screaming from her upstairs office, "No parties during Covid-19! Everyone out of the house now!"..... 8)
The last two months of music was mostly through my still trusty Tranquility SE DAC, but, man, this is a totally different animal. The Tranquility will go back to headphone amp duty.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217392)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217396)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217397)
Very professionally packaged! Excellent job, Slawa! :thumb:
-
Michael,
You are in for a Treat! Had mine updated to the III+ with DHT/Caps/additional filtering around Dac Chip/upgraded wires and a host of other goodies and it sounds AMAZING...
Get ready for some sleepless nights :popcorn:
Wig :thumb:
-
Michael,
You are in for a Treat! Had mine updated to the III+ with DHT/Caps/additional filtering around Dac Chip/upgraded wires and a host of other goodies and it sounds AMAZING...
Get ready for some sleepless nights :popcorn:
Wig :thumb:
Wig! Look what you got me into!! We'll have to compare notes on our upgrades.
I'm listening to Opera! I almost never listen to opera. My wife doesn't care for it....but this: Schubert, Ave Maria D. 839 by Renee Fleming :o Wow.
Stunning....just stunning.
-
I've got a DAC III Balanced on it's way. I was so impressed by the DAC II Special that I decided to upgrade. Slawa Roshkow told me to skip the DAC III Special and go right to the DAC III Balanced if I could do without the USB-SPDIF converter. He explained that the converter won't fit in the case with the additional transformers required by the balanced version. He also feels that the balanced output stage resembles a power amp and the advantage has nothing to do with using balanced cabling and instead has to do with a more pure output signal. He explains that transformers can pass the output signal much better than output capacitors. His exact words were;
As regerding the DAC III Special relative to the DAC II you currently have, DAC even STD version wIII be a mojor step up especially in the mid, which is way more magical on the DAC III. If you wanted to have an ultimate DAC III, I would recommend to go straight for the Balanced instead of Special version. Balanced has a power tube output stage (akin to power amplifier) just like the Special version but uses SHiB DC core signal output transformers instead of capacitors. SHiB DC core signal output transformers are "virtual" components that increase transparency, dynamics and also match the impedances. They are "invisible" relative to signal capacitors.
Having said that, the signal output transformers also offer the option of balancing the signal. Therefore, one can use them for both single ended and balanced connections from the signal output.
sent October 16
https://www.facebook.com/sw1xaudio/photos/pcb.2630375327215502/2630373873882314
-
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=212605)
I've got a DAC III Balanced on it's way. I was so impressed by the DAC II Special that I decided to upgrade. Slawa Roshkow told me to skip the DAC III Special and go right to the DAC III Balanced if I could do without the USB-SPDIF converter. He explained that the converter won't fit in the case with the additional transformers required by the balanced version. He also feels that the balanced output stage resembles a power amp and the advantage has nothing to do with using balanced cabling and instead has to do with a more pure output signal. He explains that transformers can pass the output signal much better than output capacitors. His exact words were;
I'm blown away with my Dac Std III+ and the balanced version is going to sound AMAZING!
Here's my Dac that I cut out to use larger 5R4...
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217528)
Wig :thumb:
-
I am sure it would be a close call to decide between mine and yours.
I got around the problem of my Aurender N100H only outputting USB with an elegant but expensive solution-I picked up a lightly used W20.
I also bought a Triode Wire Labs SPDIF cable.
With my present DAC II Special the W20 definitely sounded better-there was more there there.
Then the TWL SPDIF gave me a subtle but definite improvement over my Black Cat that I think cost about the same as the TWL.
Joe Cohen of Lotus Group has been great to work with-he is letting me hold onto the DAC II until the DAC III is shipped. I am getting a full credit for what the DAC II cost. The only minor premium charged for the service is that Joe asks to audition each unit for a day or two. For educational purposes I think.
Which brings up a question-are you leaving yours on all the time or do you shut it down?
Slawa advised me to leave it on 24/7 but then he did not respond when I asked what to expect of tube life.
I have noticed that once I shut it down it takes about 24 hours of being fired up before it sounds really good again.
So for now I am leaving it on.
-
I am sure it would be a close call to decide between mine and yours.
I got around the problem of my Aurender N100H only outputting USB with an elegant but expensive solution-I picked up a lightly used W20.
I also bought a Triode Wire Labs SPDIF cable.
With my present DAC II Special the W20 definitely sounded better-there was more there there.
Then the TWL SPDIF gave me a subtle but definite improvement over my Black Cat that I think cost about the same as the TWL.
Joe Cohen of Lotus Group has been great to work with-he is letting me hold onto the DAC II until the DAC III is shipped. I am getting a full credit for what the DAC II cost. The only minor premium charged for the service is that Joe asks to audition each unit for a day or two. For educational purposes I think.
Which brings up a question-are you leaving yours on all the time or do you shut it down?
Slawa advised me to leave it on 24/7 but then he did not respond when I asked what to expect of tube life.
I have noticed that once I shut it down it takes about 24 hours of being fired up before it sounds really good again.
So for now I am leaving it on.
I only leave it running 72 hours when evaluating tubes, other than that I turn on 2-3 hours prior to listening. I imagine the tubes are conservatively
biased...
Wig :thumb:
-
Does SW1X DAC III+ have USB input or is it sickly SPDIF ? What is the USD price for III+ ?
-
Does SW1X DAC III+ have USB input or is it sickly SPDIF ? What is the USD price for III+ ?
Yes, I believe you can order with a USB input but mine is SPDIF and the Dac III Std starts at under $5K and goes up from there with upgrades...
Wig
-
Mine is SPDIF as well. I don't recall the USB input upgrade's cost, but I decided it might be worthwhile if I were buying a new DAC. I already have a great USB to SPDIF converter. 8)
Michael
-
An updated photo of my winter home's audio system. [Yes. The back wall is a mess. The old TV, which had been mounted onto the concrete wall, died and was unceremoniously (and not very carefully!) removed. We're researching new TVs now.] The SW1X DAC almost overhangs the front and back edges of my rack. The speakers are my lovely Fritz Audio LS/5-R monitors.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217586)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217589)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217590)
-
IIRC the USB option on my DACII was $1200. The circuit board includes a tube and clock.
Ir is minor nuisance to use. There is a converter output RCA on the back and then an SPDIF input RCA just above it. Slawa says he did this for the sake of flexibility which makes sense. But for the sake of SQ, Slawa does not insert a switch into the circuit with an internal routing of the same path. So you have to insert a "patch cord" of a single interconnect-a regular one or an SPDIF-Slawa says one should experiment and that SPDIF's do not necessarily sound superior-between the output and input. But then there is a hitch-the USB being tube based needs about a minute before the electrons are fully flowing. So after it has been on for a minute from a power-down, you then have to disconnect and reconnect one end or the other for the source and DAC to "see each other". If you keep the DAC on 24/7 this is not a problem. All that said, it sounds amazing.
-
I received the SW1X DAC III Special on 20th Nov 2020, so have used it for about a month now (for around 150 hours – 175 hours). Have jotted down few thoughts below on my experience so far…
My current system :
SONIC TRANSPORTER i7 Music Server > EtherRegen (Uptone JS2 PSU + Mutec REF 10) > Sonore ultraRendu (Farad PSU ) > Singxer SU1 with SOtM sCLK-EX Upgrade (Final Touch Audio USB + Paul Hynes PSU + Mutec REF 10) > SW1X DAC III Special (Final Touch Audio AES)
Wilson Audio Sophia MK III speakers
Ming Da MC 300 PRE pre-amplifier
PS Audio BHK Signature 250 stereo power amplifier
Sunfire XTEQ12 subwoofer - pair
My Dac III Special has the following upgrades:
• 2 x Audio Note Copper Foil, Mylar in Oil signal output decoupling capacitors
• 4 x Black Gate de-coupling capacitors for TDA1541
• Premium Tung Sol Black Plate 5676 tube form the 60s
• Additional choke filter for the TDA1541 DEM power supply
• 2 x Audio Note 2W copper, non-magnetic, tantalum film resistors on plates of the output tube
• Super HiB Double C core mains transformer
• Super HiB double C core choke
I was previously using a Holo Audio Spring Level 2 Dac, so all my comparisons are with that as a baseline. Of course, it isn’t fair to compare a $ 1,800 Dac with an $ 8,000+ Dac but I don’t have anything else to compare it with. So with that in mind.. my brief subjective notes on the sound are as follows :
• Better soundstage depth, width, and height, more Holographic / 3D
• Music has more weight & impact across the frequency spectrum (more meat to the bones)
• Improved lower bass & mid-bass impact
• I am very treble sensitive. The Dac III has an extended, clear treble that doesn’t tip over into sibilant territory. Sound is non-aggressive to the ears, I
used to get listening fatigue after a couple of hours on quite a number of albums before but can listen longer now.
• Even albums that sounded ordinary before now sound good
• Vocals feel more real, firmly placed center stage.
• Music sounds more enjoyable., engages me more emotionally.
• All the above are much more apparent on my Headphone system as compared to my speakers (for example. If sound improved by …say...20% on
Speakers, on headphones it improved by 30% (the percentages are just for example))
• In one of the SW1X DAC reviews someone else had mentioned this comment - “ I find it necessary to adjust the volume much more frequently than in the past. I believe this is due to more dynamic range though I am hard-pressed to explain the phenomenon”. My experience is similar. I now understand what the term “dynamic range” means.
The DAC shipped with a GE 5R4 rectifier but Dr.Slawa gave me a list of types of rectifiers I can experiment with. After about 2 weeks of burning in, I upgraded the rectifier to KR Audio 274B - HP (white base) & the EL86 tubes to NOS Telefunken tubes. The Rectifier swap added further improvements to soundstage width, depth & layering. The EL86 swap added more resolution, especially with the treble. All my comments/observations above were made after 4 weeks of using the Dac.
Some pics of my system & Dac internals :
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218775)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218769)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218770)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218771)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218772)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218773)
The amp is built for 5R4/GZ32 rectifiers which are short in size. As you can see in the picture below, the KR Audio 274B- HP rectifier does not fit inside the case. In order to create some room for the rectifier, have tilted the top of the case up by using some vibration control footers I had. Will have to find someone who can cut a hole in the top of the case for the taller rectifier to fit.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218774)
Negatives - well, the packing in which the DAC was sent in, could have definitely been better. The box was a bit crushed & didn’t have enough packing inside, but fortunately, no harm was done.
Dr. Slawa was extremely patient through the whole purchase & build process and answered my numerous questions diligently. I was quite apprehensive about moving from a Dac on which I was upsampling everything to DSD512 , to a DAC which uses an old dac chip that only does 24/96 max.
Bottom line, quite happy with my Dac purchase.
-
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=217528)
Awesome Dac and almost got that one over my Dac Std III +!
You can cut the hole yourself with a hole saw designed for metal using your drill. I used a 2 1/2" to cut the tube hole
for my 1950 Ken Rad 5R4 which is much bigger than a standard 5R4 and it sticks out of the case by an inch or so.
It will continue to get better as those AN caps can take up to 500+ hours to settle...
Wig
-
Review of SW1X DAC III (Standard)
https://www.dagogo.com/sw1x-audio-design-dac-iii-review/
-
yes
-
I modded 3 different Audio Note Dac's. Very similar modular design and NOS non-digital sound.
Rolling that Audio Note Copper coupling cap will result in dramatically different sonics. Way more than tubes in my experience.
The rest of my system trends toward warmth so the AN Cu wasn't the optimum cap there for me.
The problem with dong this is expense, and the time it takes for the caps to burn in.
Anyway, I've moved on from AN to ABBAS which has shares DNA with SW1X. Having fun with more mods and replacing caps with Black Gates as I can find them. Would love to hear these SW1X's someday... I have a feeling I would like them. Although me thinks to beat the ABBAS it would be north of $6k.
-
I own this reviewed DAC now just came today Purchased last week from an AC member have not had the time to try it out perhaps 2mrw or Thursday , I have an extra set of tubes that were sent with the unit :thumb:
Asghar
Looking forward to how you think it compares to the PS Audio DS.
-
[If I mistype or say something odd, it's because I'm exhausted after adding gutter guards to a house, and cutting giant redwood tree roots which were threatening the foundation.]
I'm resurrecting this thread because I just reread it to refresh my memory. I wanted to be reminded of my impressions after I received my DAC III+ from Slawa. I've had the upgraded DAC III+ for 2+ years, and I still think it's a wonderful DAC. That said, I stumbled onto one of those 'can't pass it up' opportunites last week. Someone had posted a SW1X DAC III BAL/SPL DAC for sale on Audiogon, and I saw it less than a day after it was posted. The DAC was just a couple months old, and <possibly> hadn't been fully burned in yet. It had a 60Hz hum that the seller couldn't overcome, so he decided to sell it at a steep discount rather than send it back for repair.
I received it a couple days ago, and added it to my main system. Sure enough, there was an annoying hum coming from my speakers. I figured some of the hum was due to my rat's nest of cables, and some from the DAC's location on my audio rack, so I moved cables around and placed the new DAC on the bottom shelf all the way to the left side. This cut the hum to a level that I could live with, but I could still hear it during the silence between tracks.
Slawa and I have been emailing back and forth trying to suss out the issue. Well, this DAC is sensitive to nearby EMI/RFI radiation (is it radiation?). Slawa told me to ground it. Well, there's a ground doohicky on the back cover, so I ran a cable from it to the ground inside the closest outlet. Now, I have near total silence [still a bit of hum, but not noticeable during playback.].
I'm playing all sorts of CDs to hear how music sounds on this new DAC, and I can't believe how fantastic this DAC is! :o 8) :thumb: :popcorn: This is one of those 'drooling on the floor' times in which I don't give a damn if people see me drooling. As good as my 'old' DAC III+ is, it pales in comparison to the DAC III BAL/SPL. Acoustic instruments, female vocals, opera (how often do I listen to opera??), guitar, cello, sax, everything <so far> sounds incredible.
Of course, I'm keeping this new DAC, but I have a dilemna. What to do with my old DAC III+? Until this new one came along, I could have happily kept it for years and years. Now, it's 'extra'. I could keep it in a secondary system; I could sell it, or I could ship it back to Slawa in order to trade up to one of his amps or preamps. What the hell should I do? [He asks himself.]
I'm so tired this evening that I can't think straight. I'll post more tomorrow or the next day. Oh, yeah. This purchase was very much an impulse buy. I hadn't planned to do it. I'd already ordered a Holo Spring3 KTE w/volume control last month, so my timing on buying the new SW1X DAC is not the best. My Spring 3 DAC is slated to arrive tomorrow. :o
Big brother and li'l brother:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=245982)
-
Hi, Can you please explain how exactly you did this?
"Slawa told me to ground it. Well, there's a ground doohicky on the back cover, so I ran a cable from it to the ground inside the closest outlet. Now, I have near total silence"
Thanks
-
Hi, Can you please explain how exactly you did this?
"Slawa told me to ground it. Well, there's a ground doohicky on the back cover, so I ran a cable from it to the ground inside the closest outlet. Now, I have near total silence"
Thanks
Hello, and thank you for asking. I'd forgotten about my post above.
Well, I'll do my best to describe it to you. There is a brass screw-on head (the doohicky) on the back cover. I assume it's connected to the metal case or motherboard(?). I unscrewed just enough to wrap a 16 gauge wire around the threaded portion. Then, I tightened the ground screw down to secure the wire. I unscrewed the mounting screw which holds the outlet cover/plate on the wall. The receptacle inside the box has connections (screw heads) for three wires. One of them has the ground symbol beside it. I loosened the screw just enough to allow me to wrap the wire from the DAC onto the ground screw. Then, I carefully retightened the screw onto the new ground wire.
I cut the grounding wire from a spool of solid 16g connecting wire that I have for projects such as wiring crossovers for DIY speakers.
I'd placed the new DAC on the left side of the bottom shelf, but Slawa informed me that the best spot on my rack should be on the right side of the middle shelf. This way, the power supplies inside the DAC's case would be furthest away from other components that emit RFI/EMI. I haven't yet tried this. I've also considered constructing a shield from copper sheets (think sarcophagus) to see if it helps, but Slawa didn't think much of that idea.
This new DAC III BAL/SPL is stunningly good sounding. My old DAC III+ sounds almost flat in comparison, which seems silly to me because it had been giving me so much enjoyment as I listened to CDs or streamed via my computer.
I hope my explanation above proves helpful for you. I watched a couple short YouTube videos to make certain I didn't do anything stupid.
Michael
-
Thank you for the detailed explanation. Much appreciated
:thumb:
-
You're welcome! :D
The photo is pretty small, but it sure looks as though you've got a very nice system. :thumb:
Michael