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Phil Bishop
06-06-2008, 16:36
I noted in another thread discussion of the merits of the TDA1541 DAC chip. People seem to rave about it (Marco for example).

I have a couple of modded Arcam Alpha 5's which have the TDA1541, one (an Alpha plus) has been converted to NOS. All I can say is...yes, they sound great! The chap who built me these (for around £150 each by the way, including original hardware) said that he had heard many high end players, but always came back to a modded AA5.

Is there an external (outboard) DAC out there that uses this chip to its full potential? Can anyone build me one?

Also...here's a challenge...can anyone explain NOS to me?

anthonyTD
06-06-2008, 16:56
I noted in another thread discussion of the merits of the TDA1541 DAC chip. People seem to rave about it (Marco for example).

I have a couple of modded Arcam Alpha 5's which have the TDA1541, one (an Alpha plus) has been converted to NOS. All I can say is...yes, they sound great! The chap who built me these (for around £150 each by the way, including original hardware) said that he had heard many high end players, but always came back to a modded AA5.

Is there an external (outboard) DAC out there that uses this chip to its full potential? Can anyone build me one?

Also...here's a challenge...can anyone explain NOS to me?
hi phil,
NOS usualy means NEW OLD STOCK, as for the other questions, you will have to wait for the digi boys to get a hold of this thread.
anthony...:)

Mike
06-06-2008, 16:59
When talking about DAC's NOS generally means Non Over Sampling.

:)

Filterlab
06-06-2008, 17:11
In terms of performance car tuning it means Nitrous Oxide System. :)

In the context you speak of Phil, I'd say it was more likely to be Non Over-Sampling than anything else.

Mike
06-06-2008, 18:07
I rather think Phil is looking more for an explanation of non over sampling.

;)

Audiocom AV
06-06-2008, 18:16
Is there an external (outboard) DAC out there that uses this chip to its full potential?


Hello Phil

The Sony CDP-DAS-R1 is one of the best examples of D/A converters of yesteryear using the TDA1541 I have used, a pair if TDA1541A S1 chips are used.

Current DAC's I know of using the TDA1541 are the Zanden 5000 mk2, see a review here;
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/zanden/mkII.html

Regards,
Mark Bartlett

Phil Bishop
06-06-2008, 19:35
OK folks, NOS could also be the plural of "no". What I was looking for was an explanation of what non-oversampling actually does in technical terms!

Thanks Mark - interested to know a current DAC uses TDA1541 as I thought it was a discontinued chip - I will check out the article. Do the Sony CDP-DAS-R1's ever come up for sale?

Phil

Yomanze
06-06-2008, 20:23
OK folks, NOS could also be the plural of "no". What I was looking for was an explanation of what non-oversampling actually does in technical terms!

Thanks Mark - interested to know a current DAC uses TDA1541 as I thought it was a discontinued chip - I will check out the article. Do the Sony CDP-DAS-R1's ever come up for sale?

Phil

http://www.sakurasystems.com/articles/Kusunoki.html

^^ best intro to non-oversampling.

Yomanze
06-06-2008, 22:00
Hello Phil

The Sony CDP-DAS-R1 is one of the best examples of D/A converters of yesteryear using the TDA1541 I have used, a pair if TDA1541A S1 chips are used.

Current DAC's I know of using the TDA1541 are the Zanden 5000 mk2, see a review here;
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/zanden/mkII.html

Regards,
Mark Bartlett

There's also the Satch DAC from diyhifisupply and Pedja Rogic's DACs:

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_satch.htm
http://www.audialonline.com/home.php

Pedja's DACs would give a Zanden a run for its money, his experience with the DAC is pretty immense.

Also, AMR do a one-box TDA1541A-based player.

Audiocom AV
07-06-2008, 07:54
Thanks Mark - interested to know a current DAC uses TDA1541 as I thought it was a discontinued chip - I will check out the article. Do the Sony CDP-DAS-R1's ever come up for sale? Phil

Hello Phil

The Sony DAS-R1's rarely come up for sale, perhaps 1 DAC every 12-18 months. It is a bad thing that I am raising awareness, now prices are going to rise :doh:

Take a look here at the DAS-R1 with matching CDP-R1 transport;
http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyesprit/CDPDASR1/CDPR1DASR1.html

Regards,
Mark Bartlett

leo
08-06-2008, 16:06
There's also the Satch DAC from diyhifisupply and Pedja Rogic's DACs:

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_satch.htm
http://www.audialonline.com/home.php

Pedja's DACs would give a Zanden a run for its money, his experience with the DAC is pretty immense.

Also, AMR do a one-box TDA1541A-based player.

Pedja's AYA is a mighty fine dac:eyebrows:
The Satch looks ok but uses standard three pin regulation and classic op-amp style I/V, you don't get the best from this chip that way IMO

Phil Bishop
09-06-2008, 11:23
Thanks for all the info. If this is a chip that is long since out of production, how is it new DACs are being built using it? Anyone know what the built price of an AYA may be? Unfortunately, the Euro is strong at the moment! Phil.

Prince of Darkness
09-06-2008, 14:26
Probably a combination of new old stock and cannabilisation of old CD players and DAC's. :)