Mod your Beresford 7520

[Gazjam]

The question earlier about problems with the Tirna chip solution wasn't really answered...

Surely these things would go Bang pretty quickly if there was a problem?
What is it about the Tirna Mod that is a potential problem? The Cap?

Is it the converter board? Whats the problem?

Thanks, something ELSE to worry over.

[Clive]

The question earlier about problems with the Tirna chip solution wasn't really answered...

Surely these things would go Bang pretty quickly if there was a problem?
What is it about the Tirna Mod that is a potential problem? The Cap?

Is it the converter board? Whats the problem?

Thanks, something ELSE to worry over.

I'm guessing that a poor connection with the socket causes extra resistance which in turn causes instability with the chip which for some reason causes damage upstream in the circuit. Just because it's fine now doesn't mean that as temp changes or you move the dac it won't become a problem - if I'm interpreting and expanding on Stan's warning correctly.

[mwahahaha]

It's fine by me - rather than sending the opamps back to Tirna to be changed in order to allow the lid to close I can just have them soldered onto the board - I really like the 4032's so don't mind making them a permanent fixture.

[Clive]

Opamps in sockets aren't a perfect solution anyway, proper soldered connections should sound better and won't deteriorate over time.

[Gazjam]

Does this consideration apply to the LM4562 (and others) as well?

Or just the Tirna solution?

[Clive]

Does this consideration apply to the LM4562 (and others) as well?

Or just the Tirna solution?

I believe it's just the 4032 on the Tirna adapter with the problem. The 4032 being the faster chip (I believe) and therefore the most susceptible to problems. I'm 90% certain so don't take this a gospel.

As for sound quality, any chip soldered in place may see a small lift.

[Gazjam]

Opamps in sockets aren't a perfect solution anyway, proper soldered connections should sound better and won't deteriorate over time.

Is this really a "real world" concern Clive?
IS it analogous to speaker cable terminations?

(Im showing my total lack of electronics knowledge here!)

[Quietschbox]

I have nothing against the THS4032. My concern is with the PCB adapter, which is blowing up people's DAC at worst, or only the fuse if they are lucky!
The only sure fire way to fit the mod is to desolder the DIL adapter socket I fitted for the NE5532, and then solder in the SOIC to DIL adapter PCB with the THS4032 on it. Anyone in the UK who can't do that part of the job but would like it done should email me for the details of a fellow engineer who has offered to do the mod for them. The top PCB is removable, so that's all he'll need.

I wonder, does this caution measure apply to a sound test with open lid as well? Or can this be left out for later, after having decided to keep the 4032?

I'd be more inclined to check the User opinions of the Guys in this forum!
For most of us.....
4032 is better than 4562 is better than stock.
Get a 4032 from Tirna, stick it in the left hand OpAmp socket (Line out) and enjoy the music!

Yeah, the broad and the narrow way. I am walking a narrow one.
If people here used up their options, why not looking elsewhere?

Stan, if you pass by, what is your opinion, enough opamps, or way more to try?


For the curious only, Homers beware:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466566
http://w3.homecinema-fr.com/forum/vi...sd=a&start=195
http://jaben.net/forums/index.php?PH...9&topic=5500.0
http://www.diyhifi.org/forums/viewto...t=1621&start=0
http://forum.esi-audio.com/show.asp?...ode=3&msg=2702
http://wduk.worldomain.net/forum/arc...hp?t-2637.html
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76689
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=72808
http://wduk.worldomain.net/forum/showthread.php?p=40393

a little more, including headphone amps (possibly above links as well):
http://www.prodigy-pro.com/diy/index.php?topic=25362.0
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/opamps.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1694
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread/t-66526.html
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread/t-83757.html
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=97246
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/i...27/index2.html
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/i...1-71-a-399315/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/sou...a2132pa-41678/


Of course, there's still more.

[Clive]

Is this really a "real world" concern Clive?
IS it analogous to speaker cable terminations?

(Im showing my total lack of electronics knowledge here!)

It's certainly not a major concern, aside from Stan's comments on the 4032. It is minor, if you have no need for swapping opamps then having them soldered in place is generally a fraction better - not worth loosing sleep over, much the same as soldered interconnects are better.

With 4032s though the unsoldered connections or extra wire length due to the socket seems to be an issue. Stan really is the best person to comment.

[Quietschbox]

Thanks Chris, has anyone heard anything about the PSU Stan was working on?

from the psu thread:

I shall add the new PSU as a separate item for purchase in May. The initial feedback from customers who have tried it with the TC-7510 is very positive, as is the feedback from those with a TC-7520 who upgraded from the TC-7510 psu to the TC-7520 psu. Upgrade price is £21 for UK and £23 for the rest of Europe. That includes P&P.

Stan