Eastern Electric DAC mods

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #280 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 04:35 am »

Levi....

Quote

I want one just like it but cannot afford it with my student budget.

Well....you could sell off a bike or camera.......

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #281 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 04:58 am »

"Overall, Wayne has transformed the EE Dac into a giant killer with an option to alter the sound by tube rolling. Good job Wayne! This should be what the Dac should sound to begin with even with a slight price increase. Is Alex listening? "

Levi, we could put another $800 into the DAC(is that slight enough for you)

Of course not many would sell at that price. We built the MiniMax DAC to a great price point. People seem to like the stock DAC very much, Sheesh, I can't win for losing.
Somebody reming me why I sent a DAC to Wayne to modify for a tour

My family members would get a kick out of this as nobody in my family takes criticism well

As you can tell,I'm not the exception

goldlizsts · « **Reply #282 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 10:08 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 27 Jan 2011, 04:35 am

Levi....

Well....you could sell off a bike or camera.......

Now that's someone that should be banned

. Trouble maker.

I will send a tiger after the wolf now

.

Sorry Mr. Wolfie, should have invited you over yesterday.

JLM · « **Reply #283 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 12:14 pm »

Robin,

I think what Bill was eluding to, was the fact that if done up front, at the factory, upgrades similar to Wayne's could be done for a more modest price increase. As has been stated repeatedly, the EE DAC was built to a price point.

Bill@LakeGeorge · « **Reply #284 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 01:01 pm »

Quote from: Downsize on 27 Jan 2011, 02:07 am

Hey Bill ... Would you be kind enough to provide a link where I can purchase that Mullard you like so much ?

Thanks

You're going to have to search ebay and the various tube dealers. There just sold here a few weeks ago.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=89764.msg884856#msg884856

Here is one for sale.

https://www.tubeworld.com/12au7.htm#12AU7MullardLong

Levi · « **Reply #285 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 04:15 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 27 Jan 2011, 04:35 am

Levi....

Well....you could sell off a bike or camera.......

Good idea Chris.

If I can get $5K for my carbon road bike. Hey that's 50% off but what am I going to ride?

Gopher · « **Reply #286 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 04:56 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 27 Jan 2011, 12:14 pm

Robin,

I think what Bill was eluding to, was the fact that if done up front, at the factory, upgrades similar to Wayne's could be done for a more modest price increase. As has been stated repeatedly, the EE DAC was built to a price point.

Still, we aren't talking about something came out poorly and if they'd JUST used another op-amp they would have had a real gem. We're talking about something built to a price point that destroys all or most of the competition up to twice the price point and has been very favorably reviewed.

Perhaps a factory hotrod 'option' may have been nice, but the stock EEMM DAC is far from a mistake or incomplete product in its current form.

Berto · « **Reply #287 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 05:01 pm »

Wayne you mentioned the EE dac might be availible for an open tour (non stock EE users). I would love to compare it to be my modwright transporter and based on hearing it in my system I would seriously consider buying the full monty version. Thx!

Wayne1 · « **Reply #288 on:** 27 Jan 2011, 05:28 pm »

Thanks for all the comments!

Levi and Shek,

I'm really glad you enjoyed the sound of the DAC.

There are a lot of changes made to the parts and circuit. Alex really made a fantastic product for the money. It has been stated that the stock does easily compare with other brands that sell for more than twice the amount of the stock unit.

The changes I make are just a fine tuning of the great design from Alex and his engineers.

As to tubes, every system is different. You need to listen to every tube with YOUR gear before you make up your mind which is the "best" The 12AU7 circuit in Bill@LakeGeorge's DAC is different than the Stock EE DACs circuit. His pre-amp has a rather low input impedance. What sounds great in his system may sound different in yours. By all means try out the tube, but don't expect to get the exact same results.

I do feel, for the money, The Pavane is a great choice. It is readily available, has a warranty and isn't outrageously expensive.

Bill O'Connell,

Thank you very much for letting me mod the DAC and send it around. I know for a fact at least 4) people have ordered this DAC just so I could mod it for them. That is some additional sales you would not have gotten. After I get the DAC back here and upgrade it to the latest version of the mod. I will send it out for people who do not own one to listen to. I think you will get some more sales from that. That is if someone doesn't buy it first.

The demo DAC is for sale. Once the DAC is sold the tour will be over. I think we have had enough comments to state the DAC and the mods are very good sounding.

I recently received some of the Bybee Music Rails. At this point I am not sure they will be able to physically fit inside the EE MiniMax DAC. I'll be able to take a closer look next week.

The DAC is going to Rollo next. If Shek can get through the snowbound streets of NYC to get it to him. After that, Occam has expressed interest in taking a listen. Then I would like it returned to me for updates.

We'll see where it goes after that. Just another reminder. The demo unit is available for purchase. No waiting for mods to be done.

Turnandcough · « **Reply #289 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:09 am »

I just received a Psvane.

I'll be comparing it in the unmodded DAC with a NOS Mullard, Genalex Gold Lion and the stock tube. I somehow have a feeling the Mullard is not reaching its full potential in the umodded DAC.

For what it's worth the build quality of the Genalex is better that the Psvane. The pins on the Psvane look kind of dull and rough like they had gold painted instead of gold plated like the Genalex. Not to mention that a couple of pins on mine look crooked out of the box. But of course the sound is what counts.

ajayrav · « **Reply #290 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:28 am »

Wayne,

Will my DAC have the same mods as the one currently on tour? If not, what are the changes?

Thanks,
Ajay

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #291 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:36 am »

Quote from: Turnandcough on 28 Jan 2011, 12:09 am

I just received a Psvane.

I'll be comparing it in the unmodded DAC with a NOS Mullard, Genalex Gold Lion and the stock tube. I somehow have a feeling the Mullard is not reaching its full potential in the umodded DAC.

For what it's worth the build quality of the Genalex is better that the Psvane. The pins on the Psvane look kind of dull and rough like they had gold painted instead of gold plated like the Genalex. Not to mention that a couple of pins on mine look crooked out of the box. But of course the sound is what counts.

I've been wanting to try those Gold Lion reissues 12au7's for a while now but haven't found anybody who had them.
Please let us know how they sound in the DAC and if I may ask, where did you purchase yours?

Thanks, Bill

mfsoa · « **Reply #292 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:42 am »

I'm also very curious about the Genalex vz. Psvane comparison.

Funny, I thought the Psvane 12AU7s slipped into my pre with a higher-quality feel than I've ever felt before, I figured due to the gold.

-Mike

Turnandcough · « **Reply #293 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:49 am »

I'm in Canada so I got mine here http://www.partsconnexion.com/tube_new_gl.html. As I previously mentioned I like this tube a lot in the unmodded DAC. To be honest, and this may be system dependent, but the Mullard sounds a bit anemic compared to it. I'm keeping an open mind but I somehow doubt the Psvane will beat it. I won't have time to properly test until tomorrow PM or Saturday but I'll make sure to post my results.

Audioclyde · « **Reply #294 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:59 am »

Bill,

AC member "doctorcilantro" does group orders of GL reissues once in a while; I know one order just came in and I'm getting a pair of cryoed GL reissue 12au7's from him.

Jon is a great guy, if you are interested I highly recommend dropping him a line.

Randy

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #295 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 01:03 am »

Thanks Randy,

I'll give Jon a ring.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #296 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 01:10 am »

Quote from: ajayrav on 28 Jan 2011, 12:28 am

Wayne,

Will my DAC have the same mods as the one currently on tour? If not, what are the changes?

Thanks,
Ajay

Ajay,

You DAC will have the latest version of the mods. Bill@LakeGeorge was the first one to get a revised tube output section. The DAC that Gopher should have received today will also have it.

Basically, I changed some values of the resistors around the tube to lower both the gain and the output impedance. To compensate I did have to raise the value of the output coupling caps.

I also reworked the circuit that feeds the main voltage to the tube. What all this means is that the output circuit now is closer in volume to the stock DAC but has far greater dynamics.

Bill@LakeGeorge · « **Reply #297 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 02:23 am »

Well I have to say that the Pavane is history. If anyone wants one pm me.

I have had the Mullard in the stock dac, the Level .25 dac and the Level 2 dac and
nothing surpasses it. It is the only tube I've found that delivers the goods, both depth and width to the soundstage, 3D like. YMMV

goldlizsts · « **Reply #298 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 02:26 am »

Quote from: Wayne1 on 27 Jan 2011, 05:28 pm

Thanks for all the comments!

Levi and Shek,

I'm really glad you enjoyed the sound of the DAC...............................

Wayne,

I have been "negotiating" with Rollo Re: the transfer to him. Because I am presently without a car, and NYC has been hit with 2 major snowstorms within the last 2 weeks.... causing me to take my sweet slow time to turn it over to Rollo & Co. My estimate is that somehow I will be able to give it to him by Saturday, fingers crossed. Will keep you apprised.

Shek

Wayne1 · « **Reply #299 on:** 29 Jan 2011, 05:31 pm »

The Eastern Electric DAC Mods are finally up on the website.

EE DAC Mod

If anyone is interested in ordering the mod, now it can be done direct from the websight.

Lead time is about 2 weeks. If custom work and/or Paul Hynes regulators are wanted, that can lead to 4-8 month back logs.