[gitarretyp]

For those that have or have heard the Zhaolu, it looks like it has a volume controlled preamp out of sorts. If so, how does it sound direct to amp?

[srayle]

Nah, that volume knob is just to control the output of the headphone out.

[Occam]

Nah, that volume knob is just to control the output of the headphone out.

Which also controls a stereo (2 rca outputs) on the back panel. Additionally, there is a set of rca inputs on the back panel. So the headphone amp also can function as a preamp for the dac as well as 1 additional source.
http://www.ifiaudio.com/d2.html
and click on the cropped picture of the back panel towards the bottom of the page. So for a system with 2 sources, the internal DAC and one external source, it can function as your preamp.
As far as its quality, not something I'd use as my primary preamp, even after experimenting with different opamps on that board. IMO it is mediocre as a pre/headphone amp, and fab as a DAC. I've not tried the optional upgrade discrete version of the board.

[gitarretyp]

Which also controls a stereo (2 rca outputs) on the back panel. Additionally, there is a set of rca inputs on the back panel. So the headphone amp also can function as a preamp for the dac as well as 1 additional source.
http://www.ifiaudio.com/d2.html
and click on the cropped picture of the back panel towards the bottom of the page. So for a system with 2 sources, the internal DAC and one external source, it can function as your preamp.
As far as its quality, not something I'd use as my primary preamp, even after experimenting with different opamps on that board. IMO it is mediocre as a pre/headphone amp, and fab as a DAC. I've not tried the optional upgrade discrete version of the board.

Thanks, that's what i wanted to know.

[Harmon]

Recently I bought the Zhoalu DAC(D2A  AD1852 version) from ifiaudio.com. motivated by  the remarks Occam(Paul) made about it.  Also purchased from Paul the OpAmps he recommended for the mod. When the DAC arrived I let it play for a day just so there would be a comparison between the pre and post modded version. I used an old  NEC Multispin 6x for a transport. Compared to my modded Philipps SACD-1000 player the sound was closed in and the realism dropped a bit.  After replacing the OpAmps the sound was right off the bat equal if not slightly better than my Philipps.  The Philipps which was in my system for a couple of years was modded by Stan Warren with Blackgate and Jensen capacitors in the output stage. It also had a voltage mod done to it by Gregg Straley.  In other words this is no slouch CD player.  My wife also commented that the DAC did not sound so good pre-mod and sounded much better and more realistic post-mod.  After playing the DAC a few hours the bass frequencies were a lot more extended, palpability increased ,  imaging was better, soundstaging improved,  midrange frequencies were sweeter and clearer, more detail and just overall the sound was better. I am very satisfied with this DAC and it is nowhere near burnt-in yet.  You know your stuff Paul.  Thank you. 

[Jim N.]

I own a MHDT Paradisea (sold exclusively on ebay for $500), superb little DAC that received a great review from EnjoyTheMusic (http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0406/mhdt_laboratory_dac.htm).  I ordered a RWA modded SB and I should receive it this week.  I will let you know the result but I expect that the best combination will be SB digital out into Padadisea.

I can't speak for how this DAC would work with a SB but I've had the Paradisea for a few weeks now and think it's remarkable. Warm and detailed when driven by my Pioneer 59avi spinning home made DVD-A discs. Stock tube is a GE JAN 5670 circa 1980 and is surprisingly good. It blows away my modded Bel Canto DAC2. Piano sounds so much more right.

TAD150> Stratos Stereo Extreme > Odyssey Loreleis

[Loftprojection]

I can't speak for how this DAC would work with a SB but I've had the Paradisea for a few weeks now and think it's remarkable. Warm and detailed when driven by my Pioneer 59avi spinning home made DVD-A discs. Stock tube is a GE JAN 5670 circa 1980 and is surprisingly good. It blows away my modded Bel Canto DAC2. Piano sounds so much more right.

Hey Jim, I don't know if you use the stock tube in your Paradisea but if you do, try to get yourself a National or Western Electric 396a.  This will take the very nice Paradisea up into nirvana!  haha

[Scott F.]

Hey Jim, I don't know if you use the stock tube in your Paradisea but if you do, try to get yourself a National or Western Electric 396a.  This will take the very nice Paradisea up into nirvana!  haha

I agree completely. The WE is considerably better than any of the other tubes I've tried in the Paradisea. That little DAC continues to  amaze me.

[Occam]

For anyone looking for upgrade opamps for the Zhaolu (or other components), I cadged a vendor into selling 3sies of OPA2107 and OPA2111 Burr Brown Di-Fet dual opamps in 8pin dip configuration on Ebay.
Larry's current preference for the Zhaolu D 2.0 analog outputs is for 2 OPA2107 for the flanking positions and a single OPA2111. So if that were your choice note (in the ppal instructions) 2-2107 & 1-2111. Or whatever combo =3 that you want.
The price is far better than anything I was ever able to scrounge up.

Goto ebay.com
seach on 'Zhaolu'

I've no financial interest in this.

[rklein]

I wish to thank Paul for coming up with the vendor for the OPA2107AP's .  I bought two sets. Now I can order the Zhaolu DAC.  Hopefully, my experience with be the same as Harmon's.  Right now I am using a stock Sony S-7700 for my transport until I decide which computer based front end I want to go with.  I also will post my impressions of this unit.  Thanks also to the members of the AC forum in general.  Many members give out great advice and I for one certainly do appreciate it.

Cheers,

rklein

[tianguis]

All:
      I'd like to second Occam's rec on op-amps and relate some other findings.
      Occam and I have had a number of listening sessions in three different systems (all considered very good) with both the AD1852 and CS4398 DAC boards, not to mention numerous op-amps in various positions. The best sound, at least to my ears and those of a bunch of disinterested others, is the 4398 with the DC blocking caps bypassed with VH Audio silver wire. The bypass corrected rolled-off bass. However, unbypassed, the 1852 DAC with the same op-amps has more pronounced bass, so if you want bass and don't want to solder, the 1852 may be a better choice. The other differences between the DAC's, at least to my ears, are a subtle refinement in detail and additional separation when using the 4398. I also hear a wider, deeper soundstage with the 4398.

Regards,
Larry Welsh

[Jim N.]

Hey Jim, I don't know if you use the stock tube in your Paradisea but if you do, try to get yourself a National or Western Electric 396a.  This will take the very nice Paradisea up into nirvana!  haha

I agree completely. The WE is considerably better than any of the other tubes I've tried in the Paradisea. That little DAC continues to  amaze me.

I'm waiting for Tube World to get some cryoed WE 396A in stock again. I have some RCA 5670 from 1960 that are quite nice. Of course a Bendix 6385 would be incredible but the Shanling owners have scarfed them all up .

[transam]

Wow i lost it CS4398. I have ascent,A21,P3,999ES,HD1000,Sigma Retro.???

[ryno]

Does anyone know the output voltage on the Zhaolu? I have a passive pre and a ucd hypex that needs a lot of input.
Thanks, Ryan

[stingfan]

Without question the direction to go is CIAudio's VDA-2 DAC (pair it with their upgraded VAC-1 power supply).  Its their (Dusty's) latest and greatest.  I've recently installed it into an incredibly sensitive/detailed system, and have been extremely impressed.  It uses the CS8416 24bit/192k input receiver and the PCM1794.  Its no-op amp design and slow roll-off digital filter with no analog filtering really creates an honest analog sound.  I've been digging out old music to hear how it was supposed to sound 10 years ago, before this gear was available to accurately reproduce the source.  Price can't be beat, and build quality is the best of *any* DAC I've seen at any price.

I'll be doing a full review on my new audio website later this month.

-- R.J.