[WC]

Yes, I want balanced out. All the buffer boards from JL Sounds are single ended output. I could always try it with the idea of adding a balanced buffer board in the future.

[WC]

That used Dac Dac for $375 has XLR outputs.

Would like volume control, but that is a nice looking unit.

[WGH]

How deep are you willing to go?

The DDDac can be built with balanced outputs.



Make a cup of coffee and settle in for some reading:
http://www.dddac.com/
Click on "Sitemap" for extended reading material

Doede Douma, the developer of the DDDAC series also has retail website where you can buy parts or a completed DDDac
https://audio-creativeshop.nl/dddac/

My buddy Ken has built one and is constantly tweaking it, right now I believe it is powered by a regulated battery supply he built. I'll be listening to it this afternoon.

Here is an old photo of his build before the battery supply:

[GETRDUN]

Thanks everyone for your input! It would be nice to get a DAC kit that could be upgradeable! I do have the Peachtree audio Grand-Pre that sounds really nice! They no longer make this DAC/Pre-amp, so if it would ever fail, not sure what I would do at that point. I did have to send it back twice due to lightning that surged through my AC lines.

I'm a little old fashion, as I still use windows 7/64-bit with Jriver to play my music files. I haven't been into the computer audio for some time now, so I'm not aware of what's new and better for playing music files through my desktop. Any suggestions would be nice.

As far as an upgradeable DAC is concerned, any advice on that would also be appreciated. BTW, I'm not using balanced XLR connectors, just RCA interconnects.

[GETRDUN]

How deep are you willing to go?

The DDDac can be built with balanced outputs.



Make a cup of coffee and settle in for some reading:
http://www.dddac.com/
Click on "Sitemap" for extended reading material

Doede Douma, the developer of the DDDAC series also has retail website where you can buy parts or a completed DDDac
https://audio-creativeshop.nl/dddac/

My buddy Ken has built one and is constantly tweaking it, right now I believe it is powered by a regulated battery supply he built. I'll be listening to it this afternoon.

Here is an old photo of his build before the battery supply:

I checked out the links for this DDDac, I can't find any pricing? Are these kits upgradeable? Thanks!

[JohnR]

I checked out the links for this DDDac, I can't find any pricing?

Prices are all there -> https://audio-creativeshop.nl/dddac-1794-nos-webshop/

[WGH]

Scroll down the DDDac page and they have a whole list of upgrades
https://audio-creativeshop.nl/dddac/

Pricing page which includes upgrade prices:
https://audio-creativeshop.nl/dddac-1794-nos-webshop/

From the DDDac website: " If there are any questions left, do not hesitate to contact us. Happy building!"
info@audio-creative.nl

The DDDac in the picture is my buddy Ken's who can be reached through his website:
http://www.jmaxwellusb.com/

[GETRDUN]

OK, I see the pricing now, thanks guys! Not sure why I couldn't find the prices in the first place.

So I will be able to do upgrades with these components? Also, not sure if someone would know how these DDDac's would compare to the sound of my Peachtree Audio Grand-Pre? Sorry to ask so many questions, but any recommendations for a chassis? Thanks again!

[J Payton]

Twisted Pear Audio and AMB Labs have some nice options

I built a dual mono DAC from Twisted Pear a few years ago. I also have built other AMB projects (Dual mono Headphone Amp) and several others. All perform very well so I would expect the DAC to perform that way as well.

https://www.amb.org/audio/

http://www.twistedpearaudio.com

[WGH]

What do you mean by "upgrades"? This is a NOS DAC, which means it is non oversampling.

Read this --> NOS DAC. Non-Oversampling DAC [Advantages, Disadvantages]

Since you built this from parts you choose, newer boards can be swapped out for old when they are available.
The WaveIO USB board by Doede Douma has had at least 1 firmware update.
As for DSD, MQA and whatever else comes along you should email the designer Doede Douma at: info@audio-creative.nl

any recommendations for a chassis?

You have to explore the website and poke around more. The DDDAC1794 ST DIY Kit and DDDAC 1794 XL DIY Kit come with a case
https://audio-creativeshop.nl/product/dddac-plug-play/

Unless you have a machine shop or know of one with a CNC I don't recommend trying to cut all the holes in the back panel yourself.

[wushuliu]

Thanks for the info! What is your feedback on the sound produced by these dam1021 DAC modules? Also, besides a chassis to mount this module in, can you suggest what else I would need to complete the kit into a high end great sounding DAC? I'm wondering how they would compare to something like this DAC kit? http://www.ankaudiokits.com/L5-DAC5.1-R-2R-Non-Oversampling-Digital-Tubed-DAC.html

The links I provided have the basic information on what's needed. You will need dual power supply, I2S or optical or coaxial input as well as power supply, output connectors, etc. As for how good is it? All depends on implementation, but this board is used in the Lampizator $$$$$ DACs and I've read multiple comparisons of the Soekris being equal to or better than the Schiit Yggdrasil IIRC. This was back when the boards were even more expensive. Now that he has the newer versions out, the original boards are now only $200. That's a steal for what you get once built.

DAC kits can be complicated and there are many. You have to do the research based on your needs. We can only answer so many questions...

[OzarkTom]

Would like volume control, but that is a nice looking unit.

My friend Rex is using his Dac Dac with the $56 Nobsound passive pre and gets incredible sound. The Nobsound is also XLR.

[GETRDUN]

What do you mean by "upgrades"? This is a NOS DAC, which means it is non oversampling.

Read this --> NOS DAC. Non-Oversampling DAC [Advantages, Disadvantages]

Since you built this from parts you choose, newer boards can be swapped out for old when they are available.
The WaveIO USB board by Doede Douma has had at least 1 firmware update.
As for DSD, MQA and whatever else comes along you should email the designer Doede Douma at: info@audio-creative.nl

You have to explore the website and poke around more. The DDDAC1794 ST DIY Kit and DDDAC 1794 XL DIY Kit come with a case
https://audio-creativeshop.nl/product/dddac-plug-play/

Unless you have a machine shop or know of one with a CNC I don't recommend trying to cut all the holes in the back panel yourself.

When I mentioned upgrading, I was referring to being able to change out boards like you mention. Perhaps I should get in contact with Doede Douma and get more info from him. Interesting how they stack these dac boards in parallel. Thanks again for your help! Happy New Years everyone!

[GETRDUN]

My buddy Ken has built one and is constantly tweaking it, right now I believe it is powered by a regulated battery supply he built. I'll be listening to it this afternoon.

Did you get a chance to listen to Ken's DDDac? If so, what are your impressions? Thanks

[WGH]

Did you get a chance to listen to Ken's DDDac? If so, what are your impressions? Thanks

The DDDac is excellent, I have heard it on many occasions from the very first build. Ken has been upgrading his DDDac for 3 years, the first build incorporated an Audioquest Jitterbug but after using a cleaner power supply he discovered the Jitterbug degraded the sound and was not needed. The power supply evolved from a linear regulated PS to a custom LifePo4 (Lithium Iron phosphate) battery power supply. The system now sounds very smooth, transparent, dynamic and clean but not analytical (i.e. Benchmark).

Ken's system has all tubes (preamp, mono block amps) with Nola speakers while I have all Van Alstine hybrid electronics with Salk speakers so it is hard to make a direct comparison.

The amazing custom made LifePo4 (Lithium Iron phosphate) battery power supply



The Tucson Audiophile group will be meeting at Ken's in a few months, if you are close to Tucson, AZ let me know. That's when we really rock out. Ken will explain everything.