Eastern Electric DAC mods

JLM · « **Reply #340 on:** 1 Feb 2011, 07:28 pm »

Yes, lots of positive comments regarding the Tranquility DAC, but keep in mind that it is USB input only, which takes it out of the game for many of us.

ted_b · « **Reply #341 on:** 1 Feb 2011, 07:31 pm »

Eric's DB Labs Tranquility DAC has its own thread here and has lots of great feedback.

Keep in mind two things:
1) it is USB only (as stated right above me

)
2) it is redbook only, meaning that it plays at 16/44.1k (anything it sees is downsampled to 16/44). Nothing wrong with that (most of us still play redbook 99% of the time) but it's not exactly apples vs apples to the EE DAC features.

rajacat · « **Reply #342 on:** 1 Feb 2011, 07:39 pm »

I'm interested in this comparison too.

Of course, you could use an USB>S/PDIF converter for the A/B.

-Roy

Wayne1 · « **Reply #343 on:** 1 Feb 2011, 08:06 pm »

There would be no need of the USB converter to compare 16/44 material to the Tranquility DAC.

The EE DAC does have a 16/44 USB input. If you want to play back higher res files from a USB output from your computer, you would need something like the John Kenny modded Hi-Face to interface with the EE DAC.

The first part of the modded EE DAC tour focused on comparing the stock vs modded unit. There have been a couple of comparisons to other brands.

If there IS someone out there with a Tranquility DAC that would like to give a listen to the modded EE DAC, please let me know. I'm not sure when or even if the modded DAC can get to you, but I'll try to make it happen.

I believe Jim Rebman in Boulder, CO has one. If he might be interested, I could always send my unit up to him for a week.

Audioclyde · « **Reply #344 on:** 1 Feb 2011, 08:37 pm »

Hi Wayne,

I have both the stock EE DAC & the Tranq SE. I have to say I prefer the Tranq SE to the stock EE. Before I got the Tranq I much preferred the EE using a box nodded HiFace to feed it's BNC input as compared to straight in to it's USB input.

I'm following this thread with great interest, as I tend to love tubes in my digital source, and am considering having the mods done on my EE at some point. Do the mods make the EE's USB input as good as it's other inputs? Do you hear a difference in the USB and the other inputs (just talking about 16/44 rebook)?

Thanks,

Randy

Wayne1 · « **Reply #345 on:** 1 Feb 2011, 09:30 pm »

Randy,

I've never listened to the USB input on the EE DAC. All of my sources at sp/dif. I borrowed a hi-face once just to try out 24/192 but I ran it from my laptop usb. I did not care for the sound of my laptop.

Whenever the modded EE DAC comes back here, I'll take a look at the USB circuit to see if there is anything that can be done to improve it a bit. Most of my attention has been focused on the sp/dif inputs.

I believe Levi did try the the modded DAC with the USB and thought it sounded better than the stock unit.

Levi · « **Reply #346 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 12:09 am »

The USB sound on Wayne's DAC was also improved by the modification. Some folks will like the 16/44 less sharp but full bodied sound of the USB interface.

Audioclyde · « **Reply #347 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 12:21 am »

Hmmm. Makes me want to hear the nodded DAC even more now

. Wish the USB wasn't limited to redbook (although the Tranq is as well).

goldlizsts · « **Reply #348 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 01:46 am »

Quote from: Levi on 2 Feb 2011, 12:09 am

The USB sound on Wayne's DAC was also improved by the modification. Some folks will like the 16/44 less sharp but full bodied sound of the USB interface.

Less sharp is one thing, I felt that the high frequencies were in short supply. There was just no "decent" extension at the top. That's my take, at the same session, to note. Bottom line, IMHO - not dynamic enough, not open enough..... short of my expectations, short in comparison with the regular coax connection.

Gopher · « **Reply #349 on:** 8 Feb 2011, 02:35 am »

Just a quick update that I'm continuing to enjoy my modified DAC and feel the money that went into it was well spent. My recent listening has been a bit on the passive side due to the fact that I'm recovering from a VERY nasty flu-like sickness (fever spiked to 104.8+), but I'm mostly back to normal and setting down to enjoy some tunes now.

Toying with throwing the Pavane back in to give it another shot now that the DAC has even more hours on it, but my gut tells me that tube just isn't for me--lets see if I'm wrong.

I should also mention, the solid state section of this DAC sounds really good--significantly better then the tube section of the stock unit, IMO.

Wayne, If I'm burning this thing in with the tube output stage, does the solid state/opamp output stage need 'seperate' burn in?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #350 on:** 8 Feb 2011, 03:29 am »

I'm sorry you were under the weather for SuperBowl weekend.

Fred had asked that the solid state section of his DAC NOT be upgraded. He has the stock op-amps and electrolytic coupling caps still in place.

What you are hearing is the improvement done to the power supplies feeding the DAC chip and the I/E converter section.

The signal is going to both sections, SS and tube, all the time. There is a relay right before the output jacks that lets you choose what you listen to, SS or tube. The SS section can sound better than what you are currently hearing, Fred, with some op-amp rolling and removing the coupling caps.

I have come up with one more little tweak. The output voltage of the tube section is on the hot side. By that I mean louder than most DACs. The stock unit is spec'ed at 3 volts max out. The modded unit is a bit more. It may be too much for some pre-amp's input stage. I have worked out some changes to the circuit to balance the tube section with the SS section. The output voltage of both stages can now be the same.

If any of the few people who had gotten their unit modded want the output level lowered, I will do it for no charge. I do ask that you pay for shipping to me. I'll cover shipping back to you.

FWIW, I heard from the person who bought Bill@LakeGeorge's Pavane tube. He tried it in his stock EE DAC compared to a NOS Mullard. He was very enthusiastic about the Pavane and far preferred it over the Mullard. It all comes down to system synergy. I'm afraid you will just have to try every tube in the world to see what works best in your system

Levi · « **Reply #351 on:** 8 Feb 2011, 04:02 am »

Good info here. After hearing Wayne's DAC, I can't listen to my stock EE DAC anymore.

What happened to the tour?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #352 on:** 8 Feb 2011, 03:30 pm »

Levi,

Quote

After hearing Wayne's DAC, I can't listen to my stock EE DAC anymore.

That was the same way I felt after hearing Fred's DAC in my system before I sent it out.

The DAC is still somewhere in the NYC area. It was given to Charles Rollo. It was supposed to have made it's way to Occam. As of yesterday it wasn't there. I'm not really sure exactly where it is now.

I do hope it turns up and Occam gets to listen to it. After Occam, it is supposed to travel south for one more audition. Then back to me for some updates. At that point it is available for sale to anyone for $1500.00. Until someone comes up with the cash, it will go back on tour. Maybe going to some of the people it missed on the first leg.

Downsize · « **Reply #353 on:** 11 Feb 2011, 07:16 pm »

Quote from: Audioclyde on 1 Feb 2011, 08:37 pm

Hi Wayne,

I have both the stock EE DAC & the Tranq SE. I have to say I prefer the Tranq SE to the stock EE. Before I got the Tranq I much preferred the EE using a box nodded HiFace to feed it's BNC input as compared to straight in to it's USB input.

I'm following this thread with great interest, as I tend to love tubes in my digital source, and am considering having the mods done on my EE at some point. Do the mods make the EE's USB input as good as it's other inputs? Do you hear a difference in the USB and the other inputs (just talking about 16/44 rebook)?

Thanks,

Randy

Ya know Randy ... There is a way to get superior sound from the EE DAC while enjoying the sound of tubes, but without having to get the DAC modded .... I use the Empirical Audio Off Ramp 3 with the EE DAC, and it enables me to use ANY of the non USB inputs on the EE DAC. The Off Ramp's Ultraclock does amazing things to the signal apparently, as the sound i am getting is phenominal via the RCA inpit !
Do not get me wrong ... I am not at all suggesting NOT to get the mods on the EE DAC, as I will also be getting the mods on my own unit. My goal is to show there are ways to get around using the USB input on the EE DAC, and have it sound MUCH better than just using the DAC alone.

Audioclyde · « **Reply #354 on:** 11 Feb 2011, 07:41 pm »

Thanks Downsize; when I used my EE dac in my main setup, I fed its bnc input with a JKeny battery powered box modded HiFace--yes indeed, very good sound. Preference between that setup and my Tranquility SE might be system dependent and of course personal preference--the EE slugs way out of its price range even without the mods, when fed a good digi signal.

Levi · « **Reply #355 on:** 16 Feb 2011, 05:06 pm »

Whatever happened to the EE DAC Tour?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #356 on:** 16 Feb 2011, 05:39 pm »

rollo has it, still. He has had a family emergency that precluded him sending it to Paul (Occam). He contacted me today to tell me he will get it to Paul by the end of the week. After Paul has a chance to evaluate it, it will hopefully go down to Atlanta and then back to me for updates.

From there, it might go out to a couple more people. Once it arrives here and gets updated, it will be actively for sale. The tour will be over once that unit is sold.

Vulcan00 · « **Reply #357 on:** 16 Feb 2011, 09:19 pm »

I have not yet put the Pavane Tube in my stock EE DAC, however I place two in my ultra pre-amp. I was Stunned!!!

I might note I have tried numerous Nos tubes. I like the Pavane the best. If the Gold lions are better how much are they, may I ask?

Downsize · « **Reply #358 on:** 22 Feb 2011, 03:43 pm »

Wayne ... or anyone else. Can you please tell me what the threads are for the screws which hold the top on ?

I figure Wayne has had it apart enough times that he may know ....

rollo · « **Reply #359 on:** 22 Feb 2011, 05:07 pm »

Quote from: Wayne1 on 16 Feb 2011, 05:39 pm

rollo has it, still. He has had a family emergency that precluded him sending it to Paul (Occam). He contacted me today to tell me he will get it to Paul by the end of the week. After Paul has a chance to evaluate it, it will hopefully go down to Atlanta and then back to me for updates.

From there, it might go out to a couple more people. Once it arrives here and gets updated, it will be actively for sale. The tour will be over once that unit is sold.

Paul received it last week. Wayne if you make this any better sounding its illegal.

charles