Updating a Dac

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

I'm thinking of updating a few things in my dac, just for 'shwits n giggles'. :)

I'm looking at a couple of things but wondered if anyone had any experience with any of the following.

Voltage regulators - I've heard that this is a good bang for buck thing to do so I'm looking at the Fidelity Audio ones of these. +5v +15v -15v (http://www.fidelityaudio.co.uk/parts/spower-voltage-regs/)
Op-Amps - I'm looking at upgrading these to these: x2 BB opa2134 - x2 lme49710na - x2 lm4562na

If anyone has any other ideas for bang for buck that would be cool.

Cheers
Jo

[r100]

Hi,

I had a pair of Hypex UCD amps which I upgraded with similar modules and it definitely made a difference. I am not sure what influence they would have on a DAC but I could imagine that it would have a similar (positive) effect.

Here the link to the Hypex regulators (https://www.hypexshop.com/shop/shop.jsp?groupID=119).

Cheers
:)

[StanleyB]

I am still surprised that these kind of expensive regulators still sell. Their low noise performance have been surpassed by the ultra low noise regulators, and the latter are far cheaper. I even use two ultra low noise regulators in the CMII. They cost about 10 to 20 times more than a standard regulator, but that's still less than £5 a piece.

[r100]

it's HifiChoice recommended :eyebrows:

[The Black Adder]

I am still surprised that these kind of expensive regulators still sell. Their low noise performance have been surpassed by the ultra low noise regulators, and the latter are far cheaper. I even use two ultra low noise regulators in the CMII. They cost about 10 to 20 times more than a standard regulator, but that's still less than £5 a piece.

That is very interesting, Stan.

Would you recommend those over the Audio Fidelity ones? To be honest I was very surprised with the prices myself.

[The Black Adder]

Hi,

I had a pair of Hypex UCD amps which I upgraded with similar modules and it definitely made a difference. I am not sure what influence they would have on a DAC but I could imagine that it would have a similar (positive) effect.

Here the link to the Hypex regulators (https://www.hypexshop.com/shop/shop.jsp?groupID=119).

Cheers
:)

Thanks Rupert. They look similar to the AF ones... a damn sight cheaper though. :) Not sure if they make the correct voltage ones though, also I think I'd need a 3 pin version.... still a bit sketchy.

[Greg2010]

Thanks Rupert. They look similar to the AF ones... a damn sight cheaper though. :) Not sure if they make the correct voltage ones though, also I think I'd need a 3 pin version.... still a bit sketchy.

Have a look here http://www.hypex.nl/docs/HxR12_datasheet.pdf Jo. Gives all the specs on the hypex regs including wiring for three pin replacement.

Regards
Greg

[The Black Adder]

Hi Greg.

That's great, many thanks :)

[The Black Adder]

Just a question... I've so far found out that I'd need a +5v +15v & -15v regulators.. The Hypex ones are only +12v and -12v.

I'm supposing that these are not suitable.. can anyone shed any light on this?

Also, has anyone heard of the op-amps I listed above?

btw... I'm learning as we go here chaps. :)

[r100]

You could maybe post the Q on diyaudio maybe someone there could help you further

[Greg2010]

Couple of options here

http://www.paulhynesdesign.com/page6.html

http://www.ska-audio.com/Forum/YaBB.pl?custompage=products

Regards
Greg

[r100]

Hi Greg,
a little :offtopic: but do you have any experience with the SKA amps ? The kits seem to be quite accessible price wise ?

thx

ru

[Greg2010]

Hi Rupert, not off topic at all, Jo was asking about voltage regs, if you have a look on the SKA page indicated you will see a variable voltage regulator, 5 to 45v in 1.2 to 40v out. Paul hynes produces his own v regs to exacting standards.
Regarding the SKA amps here's one I made earlier, GB300D.
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab152/greg2010_1/012-1.jpg (http://s859.photobucket.com/user/greg2010_1/media/012-1.jpg.html)

Regards
Greg

[The Black Adder]

Hi Greg.

That's a great link... Thank you very much. :)

I know about Paul Hynes so I'll fire an email to him. Thing is I need a -15 regulator (I think...still checking), would this cause a problem I wonder?

[Greg2010]

Hi Jo,
Paul does a 15v regulator: shunt reg is Z3515. Series reg S3715 on his web page, I'm sure he'll have others available if you ask.

Regards
Greg

[StanleyB]

I know about Paul Hynes so I'll fire an email to him. Thing is I need a -15 regulator (I think...still checking), would this cause a problem I wonder?
Paul is a member on AoS as well ;). His regulators are quite good and well thought out design wise. I consider them to be far superior to the ones from Fidelity by quite a long stretch.

[The Black Adder]

Cool, thanks Stan... Yep, I'll pop him a pm when I get chance. :)

Can anyone recommend the opamps I listed at all? Any big improvements expected changing to these?

[StanleyB]

Op-Amps - I'm looking at upgrading these to these: x2 BB opa2134 - x2 lme49710na - x2 lm4562na

The LME49710 is a single opamp. The dual version is LME49720.
It's hard to say which opamp is best for the job. Each of them has its own sound signature. There was a thread about opamp rolling for the TC-7520 and Caiman. It is a couple of years old, but does cover quite a few opamps. I got the LM4562 and maybe the OPA2134. So if you need some in the future, just PM me.

[r100]

Hi Rupert, not off topic at all, Jo was asking about voltage regs, if you have a look on the SKA page indicated you will see a variable voltage regulator, 5 to 45v in 1.2 to 40v out. Paul hynes produces his own v regs to exacting standards.
Regarding the SKA amps here's one I made earlier, GB300D.

Regards
Greg

da monsta !!:stalks:

how does it sound ? looks like it has a lot of power !!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab152/greg2010_1/012-1.jpg (http://s859.photobucket.com/user/greg2010_1/media/012-1.jpg.html)