View Full Version : DIYish NOS DAC - waddya think?
jandl100
27-02-2014, 14:48
Recent purchase from a certain well known auction site.
Here are some internal pics -- decent components etc?
Comments / criticisms welcome :) ... I've done enough listening not to feel insecure about it! :eyebrows:
The DAC box ...
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF9611_zps50d2745c.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF9610_zps9e26f317.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF9612_zps06883714.jpg
The PSU box ...
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF9614_zpsd281d498.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF9613_zps7d1fa991.jpg
What was the price of it?
jandl100
27-02-2014, 15:06
That's for me to know and you to wonder about. ;)
It looks easily on the 100 price tag with the quality BP's/film caps and a what seems to be a solid r-core, been looking for ages into the cheap diy / china dac's as I can't afford the Beresford but none seem to convince me due mainly to the lack of feedback on each model...
This one is new and seems ok but rather unknown to me, despite being from smsl:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-New-Version-SMSL-Sanskrit-24BIT-192Khz-Coaxial-Optical-Input-USB-DAC-Black-/321300974300?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item4acf07cadc
brian2957
27-02-2014, 15:20
Did you take some of those photos standing on your head Jerry :)
jandl100
27-02-2014, 15:22
Yep, it was damn uncomfortable, but I persevered. :)
brian2957
27-02-2014, 15:26
Persevere a little bit more then and tell is what it is :eyebrows:
Looks like a very well made piece of kit using good quality parts and an exceptionally good dac chip. I want it.
RochaCullen
27-02-2014, 16:01
Why are there a bunch of unconnected wires in the second last shot?
The Black Adder
27-02-2014, 17:01
Look like unwanted/not needed taps from the PSU.
Sod what it looks like, Jerry... lol... What does it sound like? - Although, I think (if this dac has been done right) you can't be disappointed in it. The TDA1541A is a marvelous chip.
Saying that, there are lots of said chips out there that are counterfeit... But I'm sure it's fine.
I converted an old 1541A Arcam Alpha CD player DAC board into a standalone NOS DAC using the same CS RX chip a few years ago. Spent a lot of time implementing individual power supplies and a lot of time experimenting with the supporting components for the 1541A. Whilst it was fun to do and it did made a noticeable improvement to the sound I ultimately obtained a better sound from Stan's BM DAC.
jandl100
27-02-2014, 18:14
Look like unwanted/not needed taps from the PSU.
Sod what it looks like, Jerry... lol... What does it sound like? - Although, I think (if this dac has been done right) you can't be disappointed in it. The TDA1541A is a marvelous chip.
Saying that, there are lots of said chips out there that are counterfeit... But I'm sure it's fine.
The sound compared to my excellent Jolida FX3 DAC with Siemens valves .....
Not quite as fruitily colourful tonally. I guess that's the valve buffer in the JoDAC!
More dynamic, faster transients.
Better rez.
Better focussed laterally and in depth.
The Jolida sounds a bit vague in comparison.
Yep, I'm pleased with it - there is still lots of cable fiddling to do and different CD transports to try out. :)
Sounds like a keeper Jerry.....what am I saying??? :doh: :lol:
jandl100
27-02-2014, 21:51
;) - much enjoying it at the moment, so I reckon it'll be around for a while.
;) - much enjoying it at the moment, so I reckon it'll be around for a while.
You must get that made into a rubber stamp Jerry.
I remember you once implying that you generally weren't enammered by regular TDA1541A offerings. Was that right? Interesting to hear that this once with a more modern receiver chip etc sounds different.
anubisgrau
28-02-2014, 00:15
the crap, totally unmusical sounds of the most of the recent hi rez chips in the last years makes a new evaluation of 1541 family inevitable.
The Black Adder
28-02-2014, 09:32
You must get that made into a rubber stamp Jerry.
I remember you once implying that you generally weren't enammered by regular TDA1541A offerings. Was that right? Interesting to hear that this once with a more modern receiver chip etc sounds different.
I guess it re-enforces the fact that a properly made DAC using the TDA1541A (S1, S2) has definitely still got a firm place in today's modern offerings IMO. Looking at graphs and readouts might look better on paper but there is something about this chip that can really knock people sideways, when done right.
Happy your enjoying it, Jerry... :)
I guess it re-enforces the fact that a properly made DAC using the TDA1541A (S1, S2) has definitely still got a firm place in today's modern offerings IMO. Looking at graphs and readouts might look better on paper but there is something about this chip that can really knock people sideways, when done right.
Happy your enjoying it, Jerry... :)
There's more important things than S1 or S2, for example, my DAC uses one of the last-produced "Taiwan" chips with DEM reclocking. Also, lots of non "S" chips measure as such, in fact Pedja Rogic measured some standard TDA1541A that came off better than the crown versions, they just weren't graded... They can all sound subtly different though.
The Black Adder
28-02-2014, 10:32
It wasn't a dig at none S1, S2 chips... I put that in there just to show that there are different versions, that's all.
jandl100
28-02-2014, 11:18
I remember you once implying that you generally weren't enammered by regular TDA1541A offerings. Was that right? Interesting to hear that this once with a more modern receiver chip etc sounds different.
Ha! - you remember correctly, Nat.
-- it's a bit scary when folk recall comments I made years ago!
I was attracted especially by the chunky PSU and alleged content of decent quality components - I thought I'd give the 1541A chip it's best (well, decent anyway!) shot.
I'm glad I did - I'm really pleased with it. :)
So, this to be kept as a secret?
So, this to be kept as a secret?
It will be for sale shortly Filipe:D
jandl100
28-02-2014, 21:20
Sooner or later everything except my MBL speakers gets moved on! I've had those 4 years now. :mental: I just enjoy trying different things. :)
jandl100
01-03-2014, 08:21
On further listening, this really is a DAC of two halves - and not just because it has a separate PSU box. ;)
It's becoming clear (pun intended :)) that the low-level resolution is quite exceptional, levels of detail I haven't heard before from my fave CDs. Absolutely entrancing.
But I do rather miss the Jolida DACs warmth and fullness of tonality on some recordings - that dang valve output buffer! - the NOS DAC can sometimes sound just a little thin and sterile in direct comparison, instruments and voices not having the same natural warmth and fullness of timbre.
Note the phrase "on some recordings" - maybe I'll just use the JoDAC for that fairly small proportion of CDs. :thumbsup: .... but I'll still miss the extra rez from the NOS DAC. :scratch:
I suspect I'd have to spend rather a lot of money to get the best of both worlds in one package.
And I guess that's where Lampizator got with his DIY-ings too, started to put valve output stages on everthing..
Ha! - you remember correctly, Nat.
-- it's a bit scary when folk recall comments I made years ago!
Probably is! Sorry... Shows that people are listening..
jandl100
02-03-2014, 05:48
And I guess that's where Lampizator got with his DIY-ings too, started to put valve output stages on everthing..
Yep. I must admit it's got me thinking about one of those off-board valve buffers to send the signal through - trouble is the ones I have heard previously all degrade the rez too much. :(
Ali Tait
02-03-2014, 07:23
Ask Nick about his output stage, it's a great sounding stage imho.
Yep. I must admit it's got me thinking about one of those off-board valve buffers to send the signal through - trouble is the ones I have heard previously all degrade the rez too much. :(
Lampi valve output stage is NOT just a tube buffer. Also his cicuit design is very, light and unobtrusive.
The TDA1541A is anything but "thin" and "sterile", if anything it has a "rich" and "charming" signature, so I think those attributes you've picked up on are more to do with the output stage Jerry.
jandl100
26-03-2014, 21:03
The TDA1541A is anything but "thin" and "sterile", if anything it has a "rich" and "charming" signature, so I think those attributes you've picked up on are more to do with the output stage Jerry.
Nope - it's now sorted. :)
It was bad synergy between my Pioneer DV717 used as a CD transport and the DAC - the Pioneer worked great with the rather more laidback Jolida DAC, but was too upfront by far with the 1541A DAC.
Now using my Arcam DV29 DVD player as a CD transport with the DAC and it sounds bloody good!
jandl100
08-04-2014, 17:19
Sooner or later everything except my MBL speakers gets moved on! I've had those 4 years now. :mental: I just enjoy trying different things. :)
.... the DAC is now up for sale. :eyebrows:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?31835-FS-TDA1541a-NOS-DAC
jandl100
08-06-2014, 17:41
Jake lordmortlock bought this from me but on receiving it he found that 1 channel was a bit noisy. :( It was OK when it left me.
Probably not worth getting it looked at professionally - Anyone want to take it off my hands? Pay me £150 less the fixing cost once you've fixed it. If you don't manage to fix it, nothing is owed. :) {Offer open to regular AOSers only}
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