Philips TDA1541A S3 - Triple Crown?

[giorgino]

Does anyone know anything about this Philips TDA1541A S3 Triple Crown DAC chip? I've not heard of it or found any info on the net about it. I got my CD7 upgraded while it was getting serviced 3 years ago and apparently the engineer fitted these S3's into it. Sounds dumb I know, but I just didn't notice the S3 significance on the parts list the first time around.... :doh:

[DSJR]

According to an engineer at Arcam, the 1541 wasn't the important bit, but the digital filter which followed it.......

[Tony Moore]

Like not having one at all! :eyebrows::lolsign:

[giorgino]

I told a buddy of mine about the S3s and he doesn't believe that it exists. I can't any information on it.

You guys saying it doesn't exist?

[Tony Moore]

I've never heard of S3 and I did quite a lot of research into 1541s a few years ago when I was building my DAC.

Cheers,
Tony

[giorgino]

Not good....

[jonners]

George -

There's a thread running at diyAudio entitled "Is this a real TDA1541A". Someone there will know the answer.

[Vincent Kars]

http://www.lampizator.eu/lampizator/TDA1541%20corner/TDA1541.html

[leo]

The S2 double crown is the highest selected one as far as I know

[giorgino]

This isn't looking too hot :( Thanks guys. Just don't get it.

The weird thing is that the guy seemed legit. I got his name from Marantz (apparently he used to work for them). Ah well, if there is an S3, I'll be sure to post some pics....:rolleyes:

[Yomanze]

I can tell you now that there's no such thing as a "triple crown" TDA1541A.

[giorgino]

Interesting comments, Leo, and congrats on your latest DAC project.

What's your opinion on the TDA1541 compared to Burr Browns and Wolfsons? Ashley is of the view that Burr Browns are better because they measure better, but my ears, and those of others I respect, tell me nothing beats the TDA1541, whether single, double, or triple-crown. They seem to give music a 'weight' and 'presence', and an 'analogue' type of presentation (in a good sense) that the top modern DAC chips lack, which to my ears are often thin and 'bleached' sounding in comparison.

What are your views?

Marco.

Right. I'm totally confused now...Is the S3 some sort of Freemason Edition or something?

:( :(

[Peter Stockwell]

I'll bet it was a typing mistake on the bill, that's all.

[dowser]

I also never heard of a triple crown - Naim used dual crowns, you can just see the 2 crowns at http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p40227959.html.

Richard

[UV101]

I've got several TDA1541a players and DAC I built. My main player is a philips CD960 which now wears an S2 Double crown. I've been heavily into this chip and varying designs of output stage between it and the phono's. I've never heard of a triple crown!

as previously suggested, it could be a typo?

Have you taken the lid off and taken a look? The S2 should have 2 crowns and S2 printed on it and the single, a single crown and S1.

used this picture a few mins ago on another thread but you can see the 2 crowns so here it is again!!!!

http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=199

[tda1541]

The gradations of the TDA1541 are: R1, S1 and S2.
A S3 does not exist. If you have a S3, it is falls.

More info on the Grading proces:
http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/philips-tda1541.asp#tda1541-grading