Modifying older DAC's???

Tonto Yoder · « **on:** 25 Aug 2004, 12:13 pm »

Parts ConneXion is offering repair/ modification to Sonic Frontiers, Anthem & Assemblage gear.

I have an older Assemblage DAC-2 that I wonder about modifying and wonder if it's worth it??? Or better just to buy one of the newer DAC's since some don't really seem that expensive??

BTW, Parts Connexion is directly descended from Sonic Frontiers & Assemblage, so their techs have intimate knowledge of the gear's innards.
I realize there are many fine modders on AC, but don't imagine it's cost-effective for them to do a one-off mod for gear they have little experience with.

Thanks in aDVANCE

rbrb · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Aug 2004, 10:22 pm »

Some of those older DAC's can hold their own with the best of them after being modified.

A case in point would be DAC's that are based on the Burr Brown PCM63 of about 10 years ago. Newer DAC's will certainly spec better but does not mean that they will sound better.

I had a budget Cambridge Audio Azur 540D DVD-A player upgraded by Chris at Parts Connexion and the results were astounding.

Next I'll let him have a stab at my Adcom GDA600 DAC. Chris seems to think that the Adcom modified/upgraded will sound better than any DAC that is currently being sold for $2000 and under.

Having a Sonic Frontiers DAC done should yeil even better results considering the starting point is higher.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 02:34 am »

Chris e-mailed back with a detailed list of materials and labor (or "labour" in Canadian): 23 various BlackGate caps for $175 for instance, Soundcoat damping panel, and a pair of Bybee's ($80 ea), op amps, wire, resistors etc.

The total mod with 5.5 hrs of labor could come to $850, but they seem more than willing to work within a customer's budget as well..

rbrb,
BTW, the DAC I have is technically NOT Sonic Frontiers, but the more entry-level Assemblage.
I imagine they had to compromise parts quality to keep the unit at its price point.
So the Adcom you mentioned above may well be at a similar or higher "starting point" for upgrades.

Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 04:37 am »

Hi Tonto,

Have you thought about buying a used perpetual technologies dac secondhand ranging from $400us-$450us and get modwright to mod it for you. It should be a little cheaper. It sounds great.

regards

rocket

rbrb · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 05:51 am »

The PCM63 and the PCM1702 which the DAC-2 is is based on are considered by some to be two of Burr Browns best sounding DACS to date.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 10:29 am »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Tonto,
Have you thought about buying a used perpetual technologies dac secondhand ranging from $400us-$450us.....

Rocket,
I just recently started thinking about the DAC again, so I'm not ruling anything out. Thanks for the idea.

TY

Rocket · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Aug 2004, 02:27 am »

Hi Tonto,

The used market for the pt dac has dropped and you should easily be able to buy one for $400us plus $300 for the modwright level 1 upgrade. I wouldn't bother with the stock p3a as it is better than an unmodded cdp but isn't a quantum leap in performance.

The modwright p3a is one of the best upgrades i have done in my upgrade journey.

You could also consider a bel canto dac 1 which are nice sounding dacs. I also like the looks of both of these dacs.

best wishes

rocket

Marbles · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Aug 2004, 03:07 am »

Tonto, you might want to get a used Elite 59AVi, or a new Denon 3910 and then have it modded as funds allow.

I have a two box solution, but in the future I think I would go 1 box.

audioengr · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Aug 2004, 05:08 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Tonto,

The used market for the pt dac has dropped and you should easily be able to buy one for $400us plus $300 for the modwright level 1 upgrade. I wouldn't bother with the stock p3a as it is better than an unmodded cdp but isn't a quantum leap in performance.

The modwright p3a is one of the best upgrades i have done in my upgrade journey.

You could also consider a bel canto dac 1 which are nice sounding dacs. I also like the looks of both of these dacs.

Looks aside, the Bel Canto cannot hold a candle to the P-3A, particularly when both are modded. P-3A can compete with the best on the planet, including Meitner and even Dodson with the right mods. I ranked a lot of DAC's, before and after mods. Some just have more potential than others.