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u72
08-10-2008, 23:46
hi All,
I've been messing with my DAC :)
I've Posted Details in System Pics >HERE (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=19938#post19938)<
(Massive Power/PSU Upgrade and Output Caps)

Not posted for a few weeks - Been Busy and Listening to Music! :smoking:
Lots of things have changed in my setup I have a New and Much better Rack, all £55 of her!...
I've substantially modified my Altmann DAC By Upgrading the Power even Further (It Had Already been upgraded with one of Paul Hynes' PSU's)
Now its the turn of the onboard Regulators :eyebrows: Charles used Cheaper off the shelf models in his DAC so he could make a profit! (LOL!) ;)
Anyway they have been upgraded to Paul's Custom Shunt Regulators
(3.3v + 5v) to say there was an improvement is a vast understatement !
EVERYTHING has improved - timing, Attack, Jitter Rejection (Which was great to begin with) Low end Bass is Tighter Soundstage is VERY wide now - its truly a revelation!.. but could I stop there?? erm.. no :)
I decided to throw Some better caps at the Output stage! ;)
After doing some reasearch I settled for Mundorf 3.3uF Silver/Oil 1200v! (http://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/mcap_supreme_silver_oil.html)
Hmmm....... Silk is the word! I now have the DAC I Always Wanted at any Price!
i've enclosed some Pics so you can see the Support this 1543 Chip Has now!

Oh and if you want your DAC taking up to the next level try paul at

http://www.paulhynesdesign.com/ Nice chap to deal with and knows His Stuff!

All Pics will open to 'Supersize' If clicked!

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/76/newrackgh2.th.jpg (http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newrackgh2.jpg)http://img243.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

This is the Rack I settled for - I wanted a Low Profile Rack made of Wood (well sorta wood! :) ) its very cheap and solid especially once Glued! - i'll be spiking it once the new curtains are delivered and I have to move everything :doh: I didn't bother with the centre Support as I wanted My preamp there ;)
And it looks all nice and symmetrical!


http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/1347/altshunt1xd6.th.jpg (http://img384.imageshack.us/my.php?image=altshunt1xd6.jpg)http://img384.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)


http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4043/altshunt2bo7.th.jpg (http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=altshunt2bo7.jpg)http://img151.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3750/altshunt3cq2.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=altshunt3cq2.jpg)http://img222.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

^^^ Views of Regulators they get Warm - But not too hot to touch.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/412/altcaps1na0.th.jpg (http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=altcaps1na0.jpg)http://img368.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

The Petite litttle caps I Fitted - Charles! I need a bigger Piece of Spruce!! :ner:

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7089/dacwidesm6.th.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dacwidesm6.jpg)

Any Questions feel free to ask - Any Major PSU Questions would be better thrown at Paul though! :)