[KT]

Hello,

I just finished a Scott Nixon DacKit that I've had since 2002. I don't know why it took me so long - it just sat on my shelf for 3 years.

Well, it's done now and it works fine. How long does it take for a DAC like this to achieve its final sonic signature? With one hour of play so far, it sounds different from the Rega Planet I'm using as a transport, but I can't say it sounds better. I expect this to change with some break-in.

Also, does anyone know whether the new DacKits with the part that corrects the inverted phase (phase comes out normal now) sound any different than the older DacKits? I'm wondering if this phase correction in the digital domain affects the sonics at all.

Scott also came out with a newer double-sided thru-hole board for the kit. Anyone know if the circuit has changed at all and whether this new board sounds any better than the older one?

Thanks,
KT

[Horizons]

YMMV but I don't believe that my Nixon DAC changed much over time.

But try this: Listen to the Nixon DAC for at least two weeks. Then remove it and go back to your Rega. It will sound bright and hard in comparison to the Nixon.

BTW, if you are not powering the Nixon with a battery, you are not getting the most from that unit.

[KT]

Horizons,

Thanks for the advice. It's day 2 now and it's already sounding much better. It's more insightful than the Planet's built-in dac. I hope the sound opens up a little more with burn-in. It's not too bad right now, but now I understand why people claim this circuit is a little rolled off sounding in the high end. It's starting to sound good, though.

I am using it with an SLA battery. I actually built it inside a Sterilite (like Tupperware) 1.5 cup square food container. Kind of funny looking, but it's just the perfect size for it. The walls are very easy to drill and still strong enough to support the RCAs.

Watch out for the heat of the wires melting the plastic, though, when soldering. It happend when I put the first RCA in and I had to clip that wire out since the plastic had melted around it.

Best,
KT

[Horizons]

Thanks for the advice. It's day 2 now and it's already sounding much better. It's more insightful than the Planet's built-in dac. I hope the sound opens up a little more with burn-in. It's not too bad right now, but now I understand why people claim this circuit is a little rolled off sounding in the high end. It's starting to sound good, though.

I am using it with an SLA battery. I actually built it inside a Sterilite (like Tupperware) 1.5 cup square food container. Kind of funny looking, b ...

KT:

It sounds rolled off because it IS rolled off. No way to get around that. I think you either like or you don't. I think that is more than made up for by the incredible naturalness of the sound. Keep in mind that the Planet is a very decent player.

I laughed when I read about your tupperware container. Right now I have my 1545A DAC, battery, and DIY tube output stage in my old cigar humidor. It looks like a very fancy wood jewelry box but it sure beats anything else I could find. Plus the wood was very easy to drill the back panel for the swich, digital inputs, analog outputs, etc.

[WerTicus]

i think you'll find 200hrs is a good burn in time but it will be sounding better and better for years though the first 200 are a big deal for electronics.