|
Post by sq225917 on Oct 17, 2020 20:03:57 GMT
So more thoughts on the sound n service from Tony @ Cohetent.
Nice fast turnaround, didn't cost an arm and a leg and saved me from killing the dac trying to do it myself.
I let it run on repeat yesterday and then had a listen. It definitely has more precision in the soundstage, the effect of height and width is noticeably improved, specificity and placement seems better and the top end just sounds sweeter overall.
I also think it has removed what I previously noted in some tracks as a touch of upper mid bass tubbiness, or bloom that I hadn't heard from mrdogs AKM equipped smsl dac.
I understand how they perform better in the circuit at rejecting the hf noise from the dac chip, but I have no explanation why I'm sensing that reduction in bloom lower down.
0leased with the result either way
Money well spent
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,078
|
Post by Bigman80 on Oct 18, 2020 8:42:21 GMT
So more thoughts on the sound n service from Tony @ Cohetent. Nice fast turnaround, didn't cost an arm and a leg and saved me from killing the dac trying to do it myself. I let it run on repeat yesterday and then had a listen. It definitely has more precision in the soundstage, the effect of height and width is noticeably improved, specificity and placement seems better and the top end just sounds sweeter overall. I also think it has removed what I previously noted in some tracks as a touch of upper mid bass tubbiness, or bloom that I hadn't heard from mrdogs AKM equipped smsl dac. I understand how they perform better in the circuit at rejecting the hf noise from the dac chip, but I have no explanation why I'm sensing that reduction in bloom lower down. 0leased with the result either way Money well spent He's a good egg is Tony. Seems this has been a worthwhile spend!
|
|
|
Post by sq225917 on Oct 18, 2020 12:46:50 GMT
Yes definitely.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2021 12:27:48 GMT
Hello If I tracked it down properly, you upgraded the Gustard A18. How and with what? Tnx
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,078
|
Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2021 12:33:11 GMT
Hello If I tracked it down properly, you upgraded the Gustard A18. How and with what? Tnx Change of Opamps I believe. Think it was to or from OPA1612 (?) if i recall correctly
|
|
|
Post by sq225917 on Feb 16, 2021 18:45:56 GMT
Iv stage and low pass filter opamps swapped to opa1612
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Feb 17, 2021 1:58:01 GMT
Hello Simon, it was me who brought up dual op-amps on pfm and you questioned their performance. Considering I am an 'electrical numpty' I did not understand your reply, something to the effect "you can get them to sound like anything you want". I have read a few bits on the internet and seen a couple of vids on YT, this guy I've seen a few times and he came up again when looking into the Aune dac, he seems genuine when he says the Sparkos made an improvement. I tried to look inside my D30 a couple of days ago, (I bought a set of small screw drive heads a few weeks ago) and took the front panel off, went to remove the back panel, the hex screw heads are a different size and would you bloody believe it I did not have one to fit! I was wondering how easy it would be for me to change the op-amp, so until I find the correct size of hex, I won't know.
|
|
|
Post by firebottle on Feb 17, 2021 8:14:37 GMT
You would have to desolder the opamp as shown here:
|
|
|
Post by sq225917 on Feb 17, 2021 13:28:32 GMT
Swapping opamps is largely a Sh#t show if you're just randomly swapping types with no regard to the operating conditions beyond rail voltage. You have to know the circuit, gain, nfb, rail voltage, decoupling all sorts.
None of the discrete opamps come close to parts like a correctly implemented 1612. But without knowing the circuit its impossible to say what has caused a change in SQ
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Feb 17, 2021 14:31:55 GMT
Thanks for that Alan, I have no soldering skills, but did read someone had successfully changed to a dual op amp, but he also changed a couple of other bits as well.
So you don't think it worth a try then Simon, it was I'd seen the video above and a previous one on the Aune dac, and also read on the internet how real improvements were made, and this dac does have a plate on the bottom that screws of to enable users to change easily. I believe they even supplied extra op amps for people to experiment with when they first came out.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,078
|
Post by Bigman80 on Feb 17, 2021 15:26:23 GMT
Thanks for that Alan, I have no soldering skills, but did read someone had successfully changed to a dual op amp, but he also changed a couple of other bits as well. So you don't think it worth a try then Simon, it was I'd seen the video above and a previous one on the Aune dac, and also read on the internet how real improvements were made, and this dac does have a plate on the bottom that screws of to enable users to change easily. I believe they even supplied extra op amps for people to experiment with when they first came out. Those "Fancy" opamps usually have specs that are wporse than the best pproduction line opamps, hence them sounding a bit diferent. I experimented a lot with Sparko's, Bursons and a few others, but its a bit like valves, you will pick a favourite but it may not be the best technically/
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Feb 17, 2021 17:16:39 GMT
Thanks for everyone's replies.
|
|
|
Post by sq225917 on Feb 19, 2021 20:05:27 GMT
As Oli says, just pick the one you like the most, most enjoyable and measurably best don't have to align
|
|