[Bwanagreg]

Ordered Wednesday, got them Friday. That's the fastest Ebay transaction I've had. Thanks Tommie.

[cordless89]

I'm glad you are satisfied.   

Thanks again AudioCircle!

[JoshK]

I got mine today.  Thanks Timmy.


edit: oops...Tommie.

[Cacophonix]

Thanks Tommie!
I received mine .... now just need to pull the trigger on the DAC. 

Has anyone done a comparison between Zhaolu D2A and D2C? And are the upgrades offered any good? I am going to be using it between the amp and SB-3.

[Occam]

Cacophonix -

I'll simply copy Larry's comments
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=29422.msg267453#msg267453

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

Eddie Wu, who I bought mine from, will, I believe, do that bypassing for you.
http://www.diykits.com.hk/dac.html
I realize folks are recalcitrant to buy from overseas. All I can say is that I bought mine from Eddie, it had a problem, and Eddie fixed it, at no cost, paying for shipping for the repair both ways.
Alternatively, you could buy it from
http://www.ifiaudio.com/d2.html
here in the States, but for top performance, either you or someone would have to do that coupling cap bypass. If you aren't willing to that bypass mod, I'd personally go with the AD1852 dac, which is still a great DAC with the opamp upgrades, but frankly not up to the stellar performance of the bypassed CS dac version with the upgraded opamps.

FWIW,
Paul

[Cacophonix]

Cacophonix -

I'll simply copy Larry's comments
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=29422.msg267453#msg267453


Eddie Wu, who I bought mine from, will, I believe, do that bypassing for you.
http://www.diykits.com.hk/dac.html

FWIW,
Paul

Thanks a bunch, Paul!
Is there any downside to the bypass? And how good are those blackgate cap upgrades?

[Rocket]

Hi Occam,

I'm thinking about purchasing one of these units and i'm wondering do you think its worth including the upgrade with the blackgate caps etc?

Regards

Rod

[tianguis]

Cacophonix, Rocket:
       
          No downside to the bypass. It's one of the few mods I've ever done on anything where there was no downside. One caveat: use good wire for the bypass. I use VH Audio silver. Occam and I heard one done with wire which totally sucked out the mids.
         We've compared Zhaolus: one with the "Eddie" Black Gate and caps mods and a stock one in all configurations of op-amps and DAC boards. We agree that any differences (IF any) in any configuration are miniscule. No clear preference.
          On a side note, one of the biggest improvements is using SilClear on the fuse, IEC, internal AC connectors. It was a huge surprise: lowered noise floor, increased resolution, HUGE sound stage in all directions.

Regards,
Larry Welsh

[mgalusha]

Received my set yesterday, thanks Tommie!

[cordless89]

Glad you are satisfied!

Thanks again,
Tommie

[Cacophonix]

Cacophonix, Rocket:
       
          No downside to the bypass. It's one of the few mods I've ever done on anything where there was no downside. One caveat: use good wire for the bypass. I use VH Audio silver. Occam and I heard one done with wire which totally sucked out the mids.
         We've compared Zhaolus: one with the "Eddie" Black Gate and caps mods and a stock one in all configurations of op-amps and DAC boards. We agree that any differences (IF any) in any configuration are miniscule. No clear preference.
          On a side note, one of the biggest improvements is using SilClear on the fuse, IEC, internal AC connectors. It was a huge surprise: lowered noise floor, increased resolution, HUGE sound stage in all directions.

Regards,
Larry Welsh

Thanks, Larry!
The DACs seem to be out of stock till the 20th of this month.

Do you have any pictures of the bypass modification? And also where to-be replaced opamps are located on the DAC board?

And just for kicks ... has anyone tried to compare the zhaolu with the lite audio DAC on sale at the same site?

[tianguis]

Cacaphonix:

       The owner of a Zhaolu I modded last week also brought along his modded Lite DAC Ah. After a listen, he's selling the Lite.
       I don't have any pics, but take a look on HeadFi in any of the Zhaolu threads. There are pics of the boards and op-amps. The caps to be bypassed are the four in a row toward the front of the board. There was a pic of the bypass mod, but the poster removed it. Jeesh!

Larry