Eastern Electric DAC mods

wilsynet · « **Reply #220 on:** 3 Jan 2011, 03:59 am »

Quote from: Downsize on 31 Dec 2010, 07:41 pm

Wow ... I just realized you REALLY misquoted me ! Please be careful not to put words in people's mouths like that.

Downsize, I didn't misquote you. In fact, I didn't quote you at all. I did, however, reiterate your position. There's nothing wrong with that so long as I don't misrepresent what you said.

What I said was: "Downsize, you state that the OffRamp 4 is terrific, but USB cables are awful and inappropriate for carrying signal."

What you said was: "I will confess a dislike of USB cables as quality digital signal carrying cables in general. I feel they do tend to wash out, or lose something in the sound. JMO"

Re-reading this again, it seems like I'm fairly and accurately reflecting and representing your position. Which is to say that USB cables are not very good.

Personally, I don't think there's an issue with USB cables, I think it's a function of the technology. Some of it's good and some of it isn't so good. For what it's worth, I've owned the Off Ramp 3, and I think it's a terrific SPDIF converter, and should bring out the very best in the EE DAC.

Jon L · « **Reply #221 on:** 3 Jan 2011, 04:39 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 3 Jan 2011, 03:17 am

I am using only the Bolder PC included, but it would probably be prudent for me to switch to my own PC as I am not planning on purchasing the PC too.

Bolder PC is an unusually clean and neutral cord, so you might as well plan on purchasing one too

Wayne1 · « **Reply #222 on:** 3 Jan 2011, 04:10 pm »

I would like to thank all of you for the generous, kind comments about my cable and DAC mod.

The EE DAC is a fantastic value at it's list price. Alex did make some compromises to bring it to market at that price. The Level 1 mod seeks to address some of those compromises.

This tour is to let people hear what this DAC can really do. I am willing to fine tune the mods to reflect what is important to each person. That is what Fred and I are discussing for his DAC. I think if you own an EE DAC, or are interested in buying a new DAC, you should try to arrange to listen to it.

While you may not care to spend any money now on mods, it would be a benefit to hear what is the DAC is able to sound like and what $1500.00 can buy you in a DAC.

The next stop for the DAC is PA for a pro-review. Thanks very much to Fred (Gopher) for the time he spent with the DAC and his thoughts, which he kindly shared with us

Gopher · « **Reply #223 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 01:23 am »

No prob, Wayne.

Yep... I pulled the trigger. I'm basically getting the full Level 1 mods the tour unit has, but with the volume control bypassed. I got cold feet about killing the input switcher, but the volume pot delete alone should hopefully yield an even better finished product then the tour unit.

I'll keep you guys posted on the results.

Downsize · « **Reply #224 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 02:05 pm »

Weird ! A hot and fast thread suddenly grows cold and dead LOL ...

So Wayne ... With the signal reduction circuitry in the AES input, when the signal is reduced, is it reduced to the same level of the RCA input ?

Another way of asking is, is the DAC's output the exact same voltage ( volume ) when either AES or RCA input is used, IF used with the exact same basic digital cable ?

Thanks

Gopher · « **Reply #225 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 02:42 pm »

Cold and dead? I posted my preliminary opinions on the tour unit and was impressed enough to purchase a mod package for myself... I've since shipped the tour DAC to the next listener who is a pro reviewer and will probably have a lot to say but maybe not as quickly as us forumers.

Downsize · « **Reply #226 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 02:53 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 7 Jan 2011, 02:42 pm

Cold and dead? I posted my preliminary opinions on the tour unit and was impressed enough to purchase a mod package for myself... I've since shipped the tour DAC to the next listener who is a pro reviewer and will probably have a lot to say but maybe not as quickly as us forumers.

Yeah Gopher, you killed the thread ! LOL

I meant until I just posted.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #227 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 04:31 pm »

The output level of the DAC is the same no matter what input is selected. There is a slight difference between the SS output and tube output levels.

The normal output level of a sp/dif signal is 0.5 v p-p. AES3 levels can be between 2-7 volts p-p. You can see that is you are running a 0.5 volt signal into the AES input, the voltage may be reduced a bit too much. If you have a fairly hot output level, like the M2Tech Hi-Face, perhaps attenuation would be a good thing.

Bill@LakeGeorge · « **Reply #228 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 10:09 pm »

Well Robin (aka Satfrat) and I had a mini dac shootout yesterday between my semi level 1 modded EE Dac with a Mullard tube Bill O'Connell had recommended when I purchased and Wane's new level 2 modded dac with the Hynes power regulators and Wayne's recommended Pavane tube. It was a great experience.

Robin served as the blind tester. I happened to have level 2 playing when he walked in he confirmed my thoughts that the sound was very detailed yet smooth, after an hour I swapped dacs and he immediately knew that this was the level 1 dac from previous listening.

We both agreed we liked the level 2 better but it lacked some of the 3D that the level 1 had. So we swapped tubes and the Mullard magically provided the detail and 3d we missed.

I should add that since Robin was here last here I have totally changed my cabling to KCI Silkworm interconnects, Pegasus digital and Blackbird speaker cables.

The synergy I have now is like none that I have ever heard.

I hope Robin follows up with his comments.

I have about 100 hours on this dac now and will follow up next week after 200.

Good job Wayne!

carusoracer · « **Reply #229 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 11:36 pm »

What Mullard did you put in place of the Pavane?

I tried my 10M Gold Pin and the Pavane was better in modded unit.

In the stock unit the 10M was better sounding

ted_b · « **Reply #230 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 01:33 am »

Good review, Robin..except.....WHAT MULLARD????

All we know is "Bill's Mullard" but that likely won't get EE DAC folks enough to go on.

Somehow it remains a secret.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #231 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 02:40 am »

Surfing around....this may be it..... Mullard LP D getter 12au7....

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #232 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 02:49 am »

When Ken/Bigfish was auditioning the dac.....that was one of the tubes sent by Bill ....so hence...my guess.

Bill@LakeGeorge · « **Reply #233 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 03:49 am »

The Mullard is a 12au7 longplate D or square getter wire version . It will have the K61 date code etched into the glass.

There the price just went up another 20%.

Typo on tube.

ted_b · « **Reply #234 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 05:02 am »

Bill, thanks. I tried one of my Amperex long plate d getters in the modded EE DAC and didn't like it much, but maybe the Mullard has the magic. Thx

Turnandcough · « **Reply #235 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 01:59 pm »

For what it's worth I'm really loving the sound with a Genalex Gold Lion.
It may not be a Mullard but it easily betters the stock tube and a 1960's Tungsol that I borrowed last weekend.

Has anyone tried the Genalex? I'd like to get your opinion(go ahead break my bubble)

Levi · « **Reply #236 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 02:02 pm »

Excellent review Bill and Robin.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #237 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 03:30 pm »

Thank you for the comments, Bill and Robin.

The DAC that Bill has been listening to for these many many while I worked out the Level 2.0 mod is more a 0.25 level mod. The selector switch and volume control were bypasses and some changes were made to the tube output caps. That's about all I had time to do when I first looked at the unit.

The Level 1 mod that is touring has had much more extensive work and sounds quite a bit better the Bill's first modded unit. The 2.0 of Bill's had to get some final tweaking because his pre-amp has a rather low input impedance. This may account for his preference for the Mullard tube in his system

Just because one tube works great in a circuit in one system, does not mean it will work the same way in a different circuit in a different system. You will HAVE to try out different tubes to find out what is right for your gear. If you change pre-amps, op-amps, etc, the tube should be changed to match the new sound. There is no ONE tube that will be a perfect match for every system. The Pavanne 12AU7-T seems to me to fit most systems very well. It is readily available and reasonably priced. When matched with the Acme silver fuse, I feel it does give a great sound.

Bill@LakeGeorge · « **Reply #238 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 09:41 pm »

I have to say after another 40+ hours this dac is really shining, it's now at 120+/- hours, I didn't listen much yesterday after Robin's grueling visit.

Today I did swap the Pavane tube back in for a bit and it became very clear that the Mullard is very clear and clean top to bottom. The Pavane is good but is much to focused or flushed in the mid range, hence the 3D experience of the Mullard. YMMV

All in, I think whether a .25 mod or 1 or 2 mod you can't go wrong with this dac.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #239 on:** 14 Jan 2011, 07:13 pm »

The touring modded DAC will be leaving for NYC on Monday. There is a fair amount of interest in auditioning the unit. It will be included in the monthly meeting of Audio Syndrome NY. at least 3 other people have expressed interest in listening to it.

MusicMike of StereoMojo was most impressed with the DAC. Initially he thought the silver fuse will give most of the modded DAC's sound to the stock DAC. After some time with the DAC, he felt the mod's biggest benefit was in the spaces between the notes. He feels that Mr. Darby will publish his full review as a follow up on StereoMojo.com