Help me choose a DAC Kit

[jbeard]

Hello.

I am a new member and this is my first post.

By way of introduction my systems consists of the following:

Horn Shoppe Model 1 horns with Fostex fe126en single full range drivers
TA90 supertweeters
Horn Shoppe Cube Bass Augmenter
Squeezebox Touch with Paul Hynes PSU
Virtue One.2 amp with Sonicaps and Battery PSU

I really love my system but cannot help from constantly trying to tweak it. It is not out of feeling like I am missing something as much as it is that I really like tinkering with things and am always surprised at how little changes in my system dramatically affect the sound.

At any rate, after upgrading to the Paul Hynes PSU, the Touch has become a tad bit too analytical for my taste. I am about to send it to Wayne at Bolder Cable Company to get the analogue mods done which supposedly make it much more analog-like. I am seeking a smooth and analog-like sound with outstanding detail although these attributes may be mutually exclusive.

For comparison sake and fun I am interested in a Dac Kit.

I have researched different implementations of the TDA 1541, PCM 1794 and Sabre which all seem to be very popular.

I am curious for everyone's input on these candidates or any others you might suggest. Please reference a kit when possible.

I also currently have a Beresford 7520 with rolled opamps. I am about to put in the WM 8716, gatorize it, and get the Caiman PSU.

How would this modded Beresford compare to the candidates above?

Thanks for your input!

[Ali Tait]

Not heard one, but I've read good things about the dddac-

http://www.dddac.de/

[jbeard]

Not heard one, but I've read good things about the dddac-

http://www.dddac.de/

Thanks!

That one does look interesting and reasonably priced.

I have looked at the following kits and all seem interesting:
Raindrop_Hui http://electronics.shop.ebay.com/Home-Audio-/14969/i.html?_catref=1&_fln=1&_ipg=&_ssn=raindrop_hui&_trksid=p3911.c0.m282

http://www.ezdiyaudio.com/#ezDAC

Twisted Pear Buffalo (although the Buffalo 32 is no longer in production, supposedly it is better than the new Buffalo II)

Gigawork http://cgi.ebay.com/Gigawork-24-192-Up-sampling-DAC-DA-CONVERTER-w-USB-kit-/120474001273?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c0ccf5f79

[Techno Commander]

I keep looking at this one. (http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://shop.hifidiy.net/%3Fproduct-89.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhifidiy%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D13 05%26bih%3D955%26prmd%3Dv&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&usg=ALkJrhhtufqyYSf5jyMEiqZ1kh8LUYTeiQ) :)

You can also but the rather nifty case and transformer from them as well.

[jbloggs]

Hi Jordan...

A bit of a digression from your original question, but which Paul Hynes PSU are you using with your Touch?

Did adding it give you any/much improvement over the original?

Thanks...

[jbeard]

I keep looking at this one. (http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://shop.hifidiy.net/%3Fproduct-89.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhifidiy%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D13 05%26bih%3D955%26prmd%3Dv&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&usg=ALkJrhhtufqyYSf5jyMEiqZ1kh8LUYTeiQ) :)

You can also but the rather nifty case and transformer from them as well.

That one looks interesting but I would also like to have S/PDIF as well.

[jbeard]

Hi Jordan...

A bit of a digression from your original question, but which Paul Hynes PSU are you using with your Touch?

Did adding it give you any/much improvement over the original?

Thanks...

I am using the PR3Gap1 I bought from diyparadise for a Charlize II. Paul was kind enough to show me how to reconfigure it for the Touch by adding some resistors and a transformer.

It lacks the added capacitance of the newer PR3Gap2.

There was a very striking difference between it and a gerome industries linear PSU I bought and had modded by Wayne at Bolder Cable. It really cleaned up the sound very well and the detail is just incredible which makes it a bit analytical for my tastes. I really love the detail but would like to keep as much detail as possible while helping to add some warmth I guess (I have difficulty explaining in audiophile terms).

My Beresford 7520 produces a sound that is very pleasant to listen too but the Touch sounds more accurate with regard to the timbre of different instruments. The only downside to the Touch is that I am constantly switching to the next song. With the Beresford, I usually stick with a song through its entirety although I often do not think the instruments sound as accurate.

[Ali Tait]

Thanks!

That one does look interesting and reasonably priced.

I have looked at the following kits and all seem interesting:
Raindrop_Hui http://electronics.shop.ebay.com/Home-Audio-/14969/i.html?_catref=1&_fln=1&_ipg=&_ssn=raindrop_hui&_trksid=p3911.c0.m282

http://www.ezdiyaudio.com/#ezDAC

Twisted Pear Buffalo (although the Buffalo 32 is no longer in production, supposedly it is better than the new Buffalo II)

Gigawork http://cgi.ebay.com/Gigawork-24-192-Up-sampling-DAC-DA-CONVERTER-w-USB-kit-/120474001273?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c0ccf5f79
I have heard the Buffalo and it's very good indeed with a valve output stage.

[jbeard]

I have heard the Buffalo and it's very good indeed with a valve output stage.

Have you heard the Beresford Caiman?

If so, how do they compare?

I have heard the Buffalo can be slightly analytical.

[Ali Tait]

Yes I've heard a Caiman, and I have a tweaked 7510. Probably unbeatable at the price, but comfortably bettered by my audionote dac zero to my ears. I heard them too far apart in time to give you a meanigful comparison, but I can say that the buffalo with a valve output stage designed by a friend is the best digital I've ever heard. Just MHO though.

[jbeard]

Yes I've heard a Caiman, and I have a tweaked 7510. Probably unbeatable at the price, but comfortably bettered by my audionote dac zero to my ears. I heard them too far apart in time to give you a meanigful comparison, but I can say that the buffalo with a valve output stage designed by a friend is the best digital I've ever heard. Just MHO though.

Which Buffalo (24, 32, or II)?

I have really been giving this one a hard look by raindrop_hui of ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/DAC-DIR9001-TDA1541A-2-0B-OS-NOS-HDAM-/220724544416?pt=FR_LC_TV_Son_Home_Cinema_El%C3%A9m ents_S%C3%A9par%C3%A9s&hash=item33643543a0#ht_2573wt_1130

Does anyone have experience with this one?

[captain]

I have a Gigawork and and a raindrop_hui 4 x TDA1541 with DIR9001. I get the impression the raindrop_hui one you are looking at is a cut down version of the one I have. Both my DAC's have been quite substantially modified and both have tube output stages, but the essence of what they do is still there. The Gigawork is very open lots of detail good separation with a very wide sound stage, the modified one I have is really punchy and has a real wow factor when you first put it on. In comparison the raindrop_hui is a lot more understated and does not quite have the initial impact of the Gigawork, but listen to it for a few minutes though and you know you are listing to some thing very special. The sound stage is quite a bit smaller always happens between the speakers, not as much detail but very smooth. Vocals are out standing has really good bass, it is a lot more of a laid back then the Gigawork. A very analogue sounding DAC.

Hope that's of some help