m2tech young dac observations

[Zoidburg]

Iv just recently installed a new (to me) young dac into my system, and blimey it's a bit good sounding!

As a step up from the Arcam rdac I had been using its a huge enormous leap up in terms of detail. I really am hearing things iv never heard before and most of all to me it just sounds good. I mean "just play one more song and then another and another" good

Iv yet to even try it with its dedicated power supply so maybe I will be smiling even more soon.

[Gazjam]

Yup, it's a good-un.
Been enjoying one with linear psu for a few years now and I think I'd need to spend significant wonga to get something noticeably better.
Asked about this a few months back actually here on AOS.

Good upgrade with a linear power supply, it loses that last bit of upper treble zing and there's also a cap mod (simple swap) I'd strongly recommend which opens the dac right up even more.

[clap]

Yup, it's a good-un.
Been enjoying one with linear psu for a few years now and I think I'd need to spend significant wonga to get something noticeably better.
Asked about this a few months back actually here on AOS.

Good upgrade with a linear power supply, it loses that last bit of upper treble zing and there's also a cap mod (simple swap) I'd strongly recommend which opens the dac right up even more.

Agreed. What's the cap mod and how do you do it please?

[Zoidburg]

Id be interested in knowing what the cap mod works consisted of as well pls Gaz.

Iv now had the dedicated power supply up and running but as usual have not had enough time to really give it a proper listen due to being away all weekend but will report back on it in due course 9might even try a little A & B comparison)

cheers

Ben

[Gazjam]

Sorry guys been off forum for a wee bit, post details tomorrow.

[Zoidburg]

Hi Gaz,

Any more details on the cap mod yet? What does it involve, is it a noticeable jump in performance and how easy is it to do?

cheers,


Ben

[Gazjam]

Sorry for the delay getting back to y'all.

There's a big electrolytic capacitor doing decoupling duties on the input of the power supply just some Chinese junk capacitor.
Replace that with a lower impedance cap (I used the Panasonic FM 1000uf 25v cap recce'd by Simon SQ who designed my linear PSU for the Young) and the improvement was great.
Basically the new cap provides a more open window to everything really.
Like taking a stranglehold away..the dac flows better.
Well worth the work..and it is work, as the Young board is all surface mount.
Get someone whos an electronics wizz to do the work if you dont have the proper kit.

But yeah, swapping out the much lower impedance cap really boosts the performance of the Young.

LOCATION OF CAP

[orbscure]

Thanks for that Gaz... if these are the same capacitors here, I'll order them and am happy to post one out to other Young DAC owners who wish to try the upgrade... PM me if anybody is interested

[sq225917]

The Fm or FC ones are the best to use, don't forget they are tall so you'll need to bend the legs to fit them. Also the tracks are pretty light so it's one for experienced soldereds only. Youll likely end up soldering the new cap to the board, rather than through it.

If you want a good simple psu for it ask Les at Avondale, he can build you a cracker with a TPR regulator set for 16v-18v. The limit for voltage on the input is the switching reg just after the cap you'll swap.

[sq225917]

Oops double podt