DAC 60 new thread

elnero · « **Reply #100 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 12:09 pm »

Quote from: Bequerel

I am still waiting for a few parts for the DAC mod, but I am done with the worst: Replace the DAC chip with the K-version.

So yours didn't come with the K version of the DAC as advertised?

Another aspect I just thought of with the DAC-60 that might be a concern for me. How much hot does the top of the chassis get? I have limited space so if I were to get one I would have to sit my GS-1 on top but that might not be possible if the chassis gets too warm because of the tubes.

Also, I was wondering if any of the new DAC-60 owners have heard a MiniMax CD player and if so if they could give me an idea of how the DAC-60 stacks up?

MarkM · « **Reply #101 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 02:24 pm »

Quote from: Bequerel

Thu Mar 02, 2006 1:16 am

Replace the DAC chip with the K-version.

The menu for the DAC60 is the following:

1) Replace electrolytics with Jensen 4-pole and Black Gates
2) Replace output caps with Sonicaps (Gen1+Platinum)
3) Choke in high voltage PSU
4) HexFreds for at least high voltage PSU
5) Replace connectors (NextGen for S/PDIF)
6) Replace AC inlet with Furutech
7) ByBees in high voltage PSU
Digital input transformer
9) Apply ERS cloth and damping to the chassis
10) Siemens CCa tubes with tube dampers
11) Replace feet

You know, the way the chips are marked, it makes for EASY false identification, and the Chinese would never pirate anything.

I like your choice for parts. I upgraded the HV PS as well with an Ixys FRED bridge, along with the power supply filter caps. I thought about a Jensen 4 pole. The 4 pole should very easy to install especially if you replace the PS rectifier bridge. Just go from the bridge to the cap, then to the board. Plus a Jensen cap is 1/2 the price of BG.

The DAC is quiet, but if your speakers are really sensitive, you might benefit from a choke.

The output caps will probably be the biggest benefit. I installed the Sonic Caps as well and have some Jupiter Beeswax I will try as bypass.

I have 2 other FRED bridges that I may use for the DAC power supply.

Lots of room in the chassis for mods.

Keep us posted.

Bequerel · « **Reply #102 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 06:21 pm »

Guys, the the dac-chip I replaced was in my SB, not in the DAC60. The DAC60 came with the double-dotted K-version of the chip. No need for a replacement here.

elnero · « **Reply #103 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 06:23 pm »

Quote from: Bequerel

Guys, the the dac-chip I replaced was in my SB, not in the DAC60. The DAC60 came with the double-dotted K-version of the chip. No need for a replacement here.

Hehe thanks for the clarification, there has been mention earlier that some DAC-60's were shipped without the K version chips but that's purely heresay.

Can you or anyone else give me an idea how hot the top gets?

MarkM · « **Reply #104 on:** 2 Mar 2006, 09:28 pm »

Elnero,

The top is warm to the hand, but not hot at all. My guess is 75-80 F degrees. Should be fine if the DAC is on an open shelf.

crooner · « **Reply #105 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 03:59 am »

Mine is just barely warm on top, nothing to be concerned about. I even have my SB3 resting on top of it.

Thermal noise can only be heard with the volume cranked all the way to the max on my vintage SX-1980. And this beast has very high gain and 120 dB S/N. In practical terms the noise will be inaudible.

spacedghost · « **Reply #106 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 02:28 pm »

Man I am an impatient bastard.....

Time to re-run speaker wire, and configure rack in anticipation....

Maybe I will just order some new cd's to tide me over.....

Any more impressions on the DAC60 modded or not?

Thanks

Shaun

elnero · « **Reply #107 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 02:31 pm »

Hmmm, I sent Danny a PM last week with some questions regarding ordering and I haven't heard anything back from him.

MarkM · « **Reply #108 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 04:48 pm »

Quote from: spacedghost

Man I am an impatient bastard.....

Time to re-run speaker wire, and configure rack in anticipation....

Maybe I will just order some new cd's to tide me over.....

Any more impressions on the DAC60 modded or not?

Thanks

Shaun

It took about a week for delivery. Not bad imo.

I have modded my DAC quite a bit and have a few more mods to implement. I have about 150hrs on it and it just keeps getting better.

The DAC 60 imho is a fantastic buy in audio. A few terms that come to mind are dynamic, detail, 3-dimensional and just plain musical. Bass is solid and with a nice midrange via tube output for my taste.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #109 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 05:01 pm »

Quote

Hmmm, I sent Danny a PM last week with some questions regarding ordering and I haven't heard anything back from him.

Send it again.

I try to respond to e-mails within a 24 hour period. I usually do.

marvda1 · « **Reply #110 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 05:16 pm »

hello danny, what is the upgrade path in the dac60?
what i mean is if new conversion chips come out will you just be able to pop them in to upgrade the dac60?

elnero · « **Reply #111 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 05:18 pm »

Quote from: Danny

Quote
Hmmm, I sent Danny a PM last week with some questions regarding ordering and I haven't heard anything back from him.

Send it again.

I try to respond to e-mails within a 24 hour period. I usually do.

Re-sent the PM.

spacedghost · « **Reply #112 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 10:21 pm »

Quote from: MarkM

It took about a week for delivery. Not bad imo.

I have modded my DAC quite a bit and have a few more mods to implement. I have about 150hrs on it and it just keeps getting better.

The DAC 60 imho is a fantastic buy in audio. A few terms that come to mind are dynamic, detail, 3-dimensional and just plain musical. Bass is solid and with a nice midrange via tube output for my taste.

Mark

Thanks for the reply. Yeah Danny gave me an estimated time, and I'm cool with it. I guess I'm just one of those people...

Actually it will probably work out just in time for me to take some vacation...uhhh to get things done around the house, yeah that's it...

Shaun

nhtran · « **Reply #113 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 10:31 pm »

Quote from: spacedghost

Man I am an impatient bastard.....

Time to re-run speaker wire, and configure rack in anticipation....

Maybe I will just order some new cd's to tide me over.....

Any more impressions on the DAC60 modded or not?

Thanks

Shaun

Tell me about it. I received my DAC60 last Friday. My unit had some issues...broken plastic foot and channel imbalance (left channel is louder than right). Danny is working with manufacturer to resolve it (THANKS FOR ALL THE EFFORT SO FAR DANNY!). The until we fix the channels, I am adjusting the balance with my pre-amp.

Prior to this I was using a another tubed source, the Heart CD6000. The DAC60 seems much more neutral than the Heart (i.e. less tubey, more extended at the frequency extremes). Also has pretty good soundstage, nice midrange.

I swapped the stock SOVTEK's with a pair of Amprex 7308PQ's, a pair Amprex 7308 orange and green globes, and of Mullards. Can't decide which tube I like the most. I do notice that the Mullards provide more of the tube sound than the Amprexes. In the Heart, the Mullards were too much of good thing and I preferred the Amprex PQ's the most. With the DAC60, I'm not quite sure which I prefer.

I suspect that those wanting the classic tube sound (rolled off highs/lows, very midrangey [is that a word?]...think Dynaco ST70's) will be disappointed. The DAC is much more neutral than I expected.

Once we get my problem fixed (not sure exactly what we are going to do), I'll be happy with the purchase. This is the problem is buying stuff from overseas. If something goes wrong, getting it corrected takes time. This is no knock on Danny, he has been very helpful. It's just the nature of the transaction itself. I guess that's why this stuff is so affordable...with other products part of the higher costs goes to paying for the support you get (ain't nothing free in this world).

NT

Danny Richie · « **Reply #114 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 10:39 pm »

Quote

Once we get my problem fixed (not sure exactly what we are going to do)

They will likely send you out a new circuit board for you to swap out with the original. If making the swap (some soldering and de-soldering) is going to be any kind of problem then you can send it here and I'll take care of it for you.

New feet are already on the way.

nhtran · « **Reply #115 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 10:45 pm »

Quote from: Danny

Quote
Once we get my problem fixed (not sure exactly what we are going to do)

They will likely send you out a new circuit board for you to swap out with the original. If making the swap (some soldering and de-soldering) is going to be any kind of problem then you can send it here and I'll take care of it for you.

New feet are already on the way.

I should be able to do the swap myself. I did notice some white substance on the connection of the ribbon cable (which connects the LCD display board to the main board). Is that glue? Can I just pry the cable out with a small flat head screw driver (using caution of course)?

NT

nhtran · « **Reply #116 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 10:58 pm »

I forgot to add that I don't doubt that every will work out in the end. But damn the wait is a fate more painful than death.

MarkM · « **Reply #117 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 11:35 pm »

Quote from: nhtran

I should be able to do the swap myself. I did notice some white substance on the connection of the ribbon cable (which connects the LCD display board to the main board). Is that glue? Can I just pry the cable out with a small flat head screw driver (using caution of course)?

NT

The ribbon cable on my unit has red thread lock type stuff on the ends. The cable easily unplugs from the board, hold the board and pull gently and evenly on the ends of the plug.

Props to you, you have the right perspective on an overseas purchases.

crooner · « **Reply #118 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 08:46 am »

Here's an update on mine:

I decided to, finally, try a pair of early 1960s Amperex 6DJ8s in it.

When I removed the stock Electroharmonix 6922s, I noticed the tube damping rings (borrowed from my ARC preamp) had turned brown and literally melted on the tube envelope themselves. I haven't been able to take them off!

These rings are supposed to withstand the normal operating temperatures of the tubes. I've used them in the Audio Research unit with no heat issues whatsover. How strange......

I've only ran the unit 24 hours straight on a couple of occasions. I certainly hope the unit doesn't run the tubes too hard. If it does, then I guess the delicate Bugle Boys won't last....

The Amperex tubes are giving me better imaging (more 3D to my ears) and a more delicate high-end. Details in the higher frequencies are more convincingly portrayed.

More later...

nhtran · « **Reply #119 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 02:49 pm »

Quote from: Bequerel

I am in the process of doing a full mod to my DAC60 as well to my SB3 (inclusive linear PSU). I am still waiting for a few parts for the DAC mod, but I am done with the worst: Replace the DAC chip with the K-version.

The SB will get the standard digital AND analog "treatment" in addition to an output transformer for the S/PDIF output.

The menu for the DAC60 is the following:

1) Replace electrolytics with Jensen 4-pole and Black Gates
2) Replace output caps with Sonicaps (Gen1+Platinum)
3) Choke i ...

Bequerel,

Just a few questions about your mods...What was the value of the output coupling caps?