[wushuliu]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-DAC-TDA1543-x4-DIR9001-DAC-power-fr-DIY-T-AMP-/160522157897?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255fddbf49

Because why the hell not, right? I bought a second Muse 4X TDA1543 since the first one got fubared with all the modding and my focus at the time was mods that would still allow use of the enclosure. This time I was more methodical and ignored enclosure restrictions. I used some spare ClarityCaps for output, replaced many of the resistors, bypassed the TDA chips with Wima (so no heatsink and therefore definitely no stock enclosure) and used some PPS and film caps for the very small I/V/filter values. 

This time around I have an Audio-GD USB/SPDIF converter, linear PS, and Felix conditioner (with added caps). With all this in tow this little DAC so far is a winner. Granted that's a lot of 'help' to get it there, but the payoff with little burn in is a deliciously sweet sound, far more open and extended than my previous experience with minor modding and electrolytic caps. It is also very very quiet, thanks to the Felix and the low noise resistors (imo). Just beautiful and airy, not warm, just sugary. I perceive great detail retrieval, it's just not 'neutral' necessarily. I have a lot to learn but my meager experience so far leads me to prefer DACs with the simplest output filters as better sounding to my ears. Not surprisingly there are those who advocate nixing the output caps altogether but that's a risk I can't take with my setup.
 
Maybe I lucked out with with the synergy, but with some help this cheap little dude really leaves me impressed. I'll see how it holds up over the days. I'll get some pics up soon.

And just so you know I don't have a 'problem' with modding DACs. I can stop whenever I want to. 

[JohnR]

Interesting

[eclein]

Very cool...time for me to buy an iron!
 

[wushuliu]

Interesting

Very. I tried two things tonight: Swapped back to the Audiogd DAC19, and then swapped out the 4.7uf Claritycaps on the Muse for some 8.2uf Jantzen Superiors. When putting in the Jantzen I anticipated improved low end because of the increased value, which I heard, but what I did not expect was the complete change in presentation. The Muse was still very clean and impressive but the sugary sweet laid back quality was gone;instead the music is crisp, tight and with a lively but not overbearing top end. I knew right off the bat that I was hearing the signature of the Jantzen Superiors. I've had them for a long time and have used them in every thing from speakers to amps, etc. I was hearing the caps. So the sugary sweet laid back was very much the Claritycap SAs, but since I have not used them as often I was unsure how much they contributed prior to the cap swap. This goes to show just how important the output caps are for this DAC. It still sounds great, amazing, but a totally different signature from before.

The other thing I noticed was when I swapped back to the DAC19, it sounded great but not as immediate - and compared to what I get from the Muse, the dreaded 'v' word. Veiled (I really do hate that word). The difference reminded me of when I worked on the AD1865 DAC kit and went from using the somewhat similar looking fet-based I/V to *direct* output from the chip with just a resistor for I/V. Again confirming my preference for the simplest DAC output using the best parts.

So in a sense the Muse is now a chameleon of sorts depending on the caps I use. I may stick with the CCs, that top end sweetness was beguiling (I like the Superiors a LOT but they are designed with just a little too much top end splash for my taste, so they always end up back in the box).

[parodielin]

Did you try Clarity ESA?

Very. I tried two things tonight: Swapped back to the Audiogd DAC19, and then swapped out the 4.7uf Claritycaps on the Muse for some 8.2uf Jantzen Superiors. When putting in the Jantzen I anticipated improved low end because of the increased value, which I heard, but what I did not expect was the complete change in presentation. The Muse was still very clean and impressive but the sugary sweet laid back quality was gone;instead the music is crisp, tight and with a lively but not overbearing top end. I knew right off the bat that I was hearing the signature of the Jantzen Superiors. I've had them for a long time and have used them in every thing from speakers to amps, etc. I was hearing the caps. So the sugary sweet laid back was very much the Claritycap SAs, but since I have not used them as often I was unsure how much they contributed prior to the cap swap. This goes to show just how important the output caps are for this DAC. It still sounds great, amazing, but a totally different signature from before.

The other thing I noticed was when I swapped back to the DAC19, it sounded great but not as immediate - and compared to what I get from the Muse, the dreaded 'v' word. Veiled (I really do hate that word). The difference reminded me of when I worked on the AD1865 DAC kit and went from using the somewhat similar looking fet-based I/V to *direct* output from the chip with just a resistor for I/V. Again confirming my preference for the simplest DAC output using the best parts.

So in a sense the Muse is now a chameleon of sorts depending on the caps I use. I may stick with the CCs, that top end sweetness was beguiling (I like the Superiors a LOT but they are designed with just a little too much top end splash for my taste, so they always end up back in the box).

[wushuliu]

Did you try Clarity ESA?

Tempting, but probably won't. I have SO many caps lying around as it is that it would just be insane to buy more unless they are super duper caps. Plus I want to give this dac more time before any further expenditures.

[eclein]

I'm definitely getting one of these, its just to cool the way you can mod this thing and make it sound how you want it to sound. Its almost crazy NOT too, with so much money being laid out on DAC's to be able to turn these little babies into something special for a fraction of what some of these DAC's cost, I just gotta try it. Keep us posted!!!

[boone]

Wushuliu,

Have you tried bypassing the caps as suggested in the Head-Fi thread on this dac?  If so, how did that sound?

Thanks
boone

[wushuliu]

Wushuliu,

Have you tried bypassing the caps as suggested in the Head-Fi thread on this dac?  If so, how did that sound?

Thanks
boone

No, it puts out several volts DC with caps bypassed;that's not a risk I'm willing to take with my tube amp...

[boone]

Wushuliu,

Wondering if you can help me understand "nixing" the output caps.  Head-fi thread shows a straightwire or blob of solder method of eliminating the 10 uf caps.  However I believe there are a couple of 2200 pf bypass caps adjacent to the 10uf caps.  Does nixing the 10 uf caps also remove the bypass caps or do they need to be nixed seperately?  When you replaced the stock caps with Claritycaps did you nix these bypass caps or are they part of the "sugary sweet laid back sound" that you like (and which I believe I would like also)?

thanks
boone

[wushuliu]

Wushuliu,

Wondering if you can help me understand "nixing" the output caps.  Head-fi thread shows a straightwire or blob of solder method of eliminating the 10 uf caps.  However I believe there are a couple of 2200 pf bypass caps adjacent to the 10uf caps.  Does nixing the 10 uf caps also remove the bypass caps or do they need to be nixed seperately?  When you replaced the stock caps with Claritycaps did you nix these bypass caps or are they part of the "sugary sweet laid back sound" that you like (and which I believe I would like also)?

thanks
boone

Hi boone, you'll want to keep the 2200pf but upgrade them to film.

[wushuliu]

At this point I've replaced most of the caps and resistors on this DAC and the rectifier. I am so happy with this board. I am reading and have read peoples' experiences with NOS DACs and referring to them as warm, rounded, and ultimately lacking in transparency. I would say the stock unit leans towards that assessment, but once I started the modding I have not found any real fault with this board and it's performance. There is a touch of that roundness or sweet treble but it is still more clean, clear and grain-free than what I've experienced from a DAC so far (which is still pretty limited, frankly). It's hard to say how much is due to the DAC itself or it's ability to let through any upstream upgrades, but the depth and width I am experiencing is sublime and it does feel like a window has been thrown wide open to sweet open air. It's fabric softener commercial-quality sound. Given all the money I've shelled out on this hobby I've been overdue for some Synergy. It's about damn time. Has the Audio-GD DAC been sidelined? Yes, though I still love looking at it. I am not sure whether to sell it or keep it along with my Oppo 980H as things you'll have to pry from my cold dead hands even though I'm not using them.

[jamesdb]

The photos don't show one, but did it come with a 12V wall wart power supply?

[wushuliu]

It should. If it isn't mentioned, then ask the seller to be sure.