Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 3, 2023 14:50:02 GMT
Hi all, It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the Aqvox DAC, so it should come as no surprise that there will be "mods" performed to my brand new one. Does anyone else buy brand new kit to take it apart?  I have been in contact with Aqvox to check a few things out and Norman has been terrific in his response. Norman has been very kind to offer me some information that *MAY* improve the performance of this DAC, so i thought a thread following the progress may be in order. I will outline the initial plans below. 1) From Norman: The four big blue caps, and the four electrolytics can come out as long as there is no DC on the output. You can see them in the red box below:  IMPORTANT: The measurement must be made at the start of the cap, not the actual output sockets. I plan to remove these once the LPSU is fitted to the Aqvox. The only thing better than a good cap, is no cap. I am excited to try this. 2) The PSU i use from Alixpress comes with a full set of Rubycon ZLH caps, which are not bad at all. However, when you look at the Ripple, ESR etc the Panasonic FM are top dog in higher capacitance values. I decided to recap the PCB with some slightly higher capacitance FM's. STD values are 680uf and 2200uf.    3) This is probably extremely ambitious due to the number of Lytics, but when i was looking through the PCB i discovered these caps all over the Aqvox PCB, which gave me the same feeling as if I'd accidently trodden in Sh@t. I have no idea what the performance of these caps is because i haven't managed to find a datasheet for them, but I am extremely confident that they will not compare to the Rubycon ZLG i have chosen to replace them with.  |
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Post by zleepy on Jun 3, 2023 17:33:31 GMT
I love modification threads. Will follow this with great interest!  |
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Post by bencat on Jun 3, 2023 17:36:42 GMT
Oli last I read on this you had found some solder shorts that you were asking about on the board . How was that resolved ?
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Post by zleepy on Jun 3, 2023 17:38:14 GMT
Regarding the output caps, I guess it’s ok to remove them as long as the pre integrated amp has caps on the input? Or can you do without completely?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 3, 2023 18:19:06 GMT
Oli last I read on this you had found some solder shorts that you were asking about on the board . How was that resolved ? The reply was that they are supposed to be there. I sent some detailed photos over to Norman and he confirmed all were present and correct. Admittedly the dac hasn't been powered up since it landed as there is no PSU for it yet, but I am reassured that it was correct, and had been fully tested and listened to before postage. Can't say fairer than that. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 3, 2023 18:20:23 GMT
Regarding the output caps, I guess it’s ok to remove them as long as the pre integrated amp has caps on the input? Or can you do without completely? I expect that as long as there isn't any DC from the DAC, then it's not an issue whether the pre has caps or not. HOWEVER.... I won't be held responsible for anyone blowing their kit up 😂 |
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Post by rexton on Jun 3, 2023 20:37:39 GMT
Ah, keep us posted Oli lad! This sounds like it's going to be a decent thread to follow, they seem to be few and far between at the moment.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 3, 2023 20:40:51 GMT
Ah, keep us posted Oli lad! This sounds like it's going to be a decent thread to follow, they seem to be few and far between at the moment. Yup, will do. I am trying to reach out to a guy who is selling one in Denmark, but as of yet he is unresponsive. zleepy are you from that part of the world? Maybe you could do me a favour? |
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Post by zleepy on Jun 4, 2023 4:24:03 GMT
I live in Finland, so not very close but not very far either. I would be happy to help in any way I can. Send me a pm |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 20, 2023 10:38:39 GMT
Update:
Being absolutely confident in my ability to carry out all of the modifications i want to without issue, i bought another Aqvox DAC lol...
Cant hurt having a back up, can it?
Anyway, the real reason for picking up a second Aqvox is for comparison. At first, it will be standard (SMPS etc) vs the modded and upgraded version, complete with the new "specially selected" amplifier modules in the BNIB one i bought. These are removable and swappable, so when the second Aqvox DAC get here, i will decide which one i am going to upgrade. The BNIB DAC is black, the used one is Silver. I always wanted a Silver one, so my initial thought is to do that one.
I also had another thought. What if i were to use an O-Core instead of the toroid i usually pick for these things?....I think i may have to find out.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 21, 2023 13:10:03 GMT
And..... We're off! Two Aqvox DACs.... One with SMPS, one with LPSU. BIG thanks to Alan for his assistance today. Right, I now need to get some hours on this dac.   |
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Post by electronumpty on Jun 21, 2023 17:03:31 GMT
You need a Champagne coloured one now to complete the set!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 21, 2023 18:18:58 GMT
You need a Champagne coloured one now to complete the set! I don't think they make them? I'll keep an eye out lol |
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Post by zleepy on Jun 21, 2023 19:05:44 GMT
Fantastic! Very interested in your comparison |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 21, 2023 19:54:41 GMT
OK! So.... When I got back from Alan's earlier i left both DACS on for exactly 1hr. Now, considering that the Silver DAC is used, and from what i am told was used a fair bit, i expected it to be a bit better right now as the Black DAC is brand new. However, This was not the case. Using the track "Over your Shoulder" by Calexico, the Silver DAC had less fluidity and less 3D sound staging than the Black DAC. There was also LESS resolution. The Silver DAC's LF sounding a little rounded...looser and the imaging a little diffuse. I was really surprised by this, but the Black DAC was definitely ahead on all fronts. A few hours in and the Black DAC was starting to show EXACTLY why i went back to an Aqvox. Purity. A bit like a monk who strips away material possessions from their life to get closer to their deity. It's a sound i really appreciate and enjoy. It's great to be back in this position digitally. I am going to do the PSU upgrade to the silver dac next and have enquired about an O-Core transformer....this could be interesting.  |
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Post by firebottle on Jun 22, 2023 9:37:42 GMT
The Silver DAC's LF sounding a little rounded...looser and the imaging a little diffuse. I was really surprised by this, but the Black DAC was definitely ahead on all fronts. Not really surprised myself having heard the benefit of removing SMPS on multiple occasions. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 22, 2023 9:39:42 GMT
The Silver DAC's LF sounding a little rounded...looser and the imaging a little diffuse. I was really surprised by this, but the Black DAC was definitely ahead on all fronts. Not really surprised myself having heard the benefit of removing SMPS on multiple occasions. Yeah, the downside of SMPS is there for all to hear when you A/B them. Just surprised me a little. It is very useful having two to compare though |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 23, 2023 13:29:29 GMT
Update:
The DAC has been on and playing since i got back from Alans a couple of days ago, so there's probably about 48ish hours on it now. It went through a bit of a muddy patch last night but by the time i was up this morning it was wide open and singing nicely again.
Being fairly confident that the DAC had now settled down, i decided to put the fuse in that Norman sent me.
Well, well, well!
Being the sceptic i am, i am not expecting anything here. I popped the fuse in and checked the phase arrow was pointing the correct way. I sat back and pressed play on "Hermanos Drive" - Hermanos Gutierres
I am laughing my head off as i type this, but i am stunned. The transient detail has gone through the roof. The little palm mutes on the guitar are lasting longer before decaying to inaudibility. The sound is cleaner, more linear, more open and resolution is improved by this. Soundstage layering is now deeper and the separation is easier to hear. My head has fallen off a little bit here, so i am going to listen to a few more tracks before saying anything else, but yeah....this is ridiculous lol
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Post by bencat on Jun 23, 2023 13:44:48 GMT
I took the bait and added an LPSU to my Mutec (along with LPSU,s to any item in the chain that could use one ) . I believed Tony when he suggested the LB Clock , I am also close to hearing what his upgrades do for the Mutec . This is really stretching it for me and I want to ignore it so much . But if it proves to be real then I might have to try it . Just to be clear is this fuse inside the DAC or on the mains plug for the DAC ?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 23, 2023 13:51:32 GMT
I took the bait and added an LPSU to my Mutec (along with LPSU,s to any item in the chain that could use one ) . I believed Tony when he suggested the LB Clock , I am also close to hearing what his upgrades do for the Mutec . This is really stretching it for me and I want to ignore it so much . But if it proves to be real then I might have to try it . Just to be clear is this fuse inside the DAC or on the mains plug for the DAC ? The fuse is inside the dac, but will only work with side gripping fuse holders like this one :  |
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Post by firebottle on Jun 23, 2023 14:24:08 GMT
That's daft, PHASE -> and it's carrying AC. I believe what you are saying, or have you been at the whisky  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 23, 2023 14:27:50 GMT
That's daft, PHASE -> and it's carrying AC. I believe what you are saying, or have you been at the whisky Norman reckons it sound no different one way round, stunning the other. IT sounds stunning, so i presume it's right...if there is a right. It is AC after all. Either way...it's not coming out! And no....no whiskey, yet lol |
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Post by bencat on Jun 23, 2023 14:28:40 GMT
If he has been at the Whisky then can I have one please make mine an Islay Malt .
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 28, 2023 18:15:27 GMT
A few more updates from today: First on todays agenda was to try out the amplifier modules from the other Aqvox DAC. As you may recall, the modules (red square devices) in the new Aqvox were a pair of newly designed (i believe) hand selected modules. The ones in the silver DAC were the same as i'd heard in my previous Aqvox.  The swap is simple as they are just pins into sockets, so away i went and within seconds i was transported to my old Aqvox's sound. Incredibly insightful, precise, maybe forensic, and a little leaner too, but there it was. I listened to a few tracks and then felt compelled to go back to the new modules for a comparison. It's really odd, the new modules are not as lean sounding, have a bit more LF heft and weight, and appear to make humans sound more human....i was a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place, as the forensic nature of the old modules really put me onto this brand. I love that about it, and while it may be forensic, it was never strident or harsh, just extremely clean. As i was sat there pondering the pros and cons, the postie arrived.  HE delivered what i deem to be an absolute necessity for hifi...EMI/RFI IEC filter sockets. I put one in straight away, well after a light bit of filing to open the case hole a little. I went back, plugged it in and there it was.... The new modules in place and the EMI/RFI filter now at work, the Aqvox was somewhere between the two presentations of the amplifier modules. The sound is organic and natural, but its also now a little cleaner and insightful. The DAC is now pulling out strands and sinew of detail but it's far better balanced tonally than with the old modules. It's awesome. I listened to Fleetwood Mac, Tango in the night, and i was hearing things in the background that i hadn't heard before, or certainly not noticed. So much so that i paused the track because i thought it was something going on next door, or in the other room etc...but it wasn't. I thought I was imagining it, so i plumbed in the Silver DAC and voila!....I was not imagining it at all. The difference the EMI/RFI filter made is quite exceptional. I am absolutely buzzing at this point. Then....More GREAT news. My desoldering gun arrived. I have now tested it and i am 100% confident that i will be going ahead with recapping this DAC. I cannot wait! Here's my test work on the PCB for the silver dac.     |
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Post by zleepy on Jun 29, 2023 5:34:20 GMT
It's really fun to read about your progress. Sounds like you have had great results so far! That desoldering gun looks solid! Are you replacing the regulators of the PSU? |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 29, 2023 8:25:29 GMT
It's really fun to read about your progress. Sounds like you have had great results so far! That desoldering gun looks solid! Are you replacing the regulators of the PSU? I could do... Hadn't thought to look at what they are. I think you like making more work for me 😂 |
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Post by misterc on Jun 29, 2023 10:15:30 GMT
Oli a little tip for you when using the gun to enbale maximum effect use plenty of flux liquid is best, always keep the tip with solder on it even when not in use
Now you have gone to, two individual Tx's the smaller one for for the digital circuit yes?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 29, 2023 10:17:53 GMT
Oli a little tip for you when using the gun to enbale maximum effect use plenty of flux liquid is best, always keep the tip with solder on it even when not in use Now you have gone to, two individual Tx's the smaller one for for the digital circuit yes? Yeah, two traffos mate. The little one providing the 5vdc and 3.3vdc Big one providing + & - 16vdc |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 18, 2023 16:42:55 GMT
An update,
Since the last post, the silver Aqvox has been sold. I loaned it out and it never made it home lol.
So, with the proceeds from the sale i ordered 300 capacitors. A little excessive but the one value i required was marked to become obsolete, so i stocked up just in case another of these beasts crossed my path in the future.
These caps have now arrived and i am waiting on a poorly D90 to be returned to me and then i can get on with giving this Aqvox a real overhaul. The D90 filling in on digital duties until the Aqvox recap is done....at some point.
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Post by stevew on Jul 18, 2023 19:02:22 GMT
An update, Since the last post, the silver Aqvox has been sold. I loaned it out and it never made it home lol. So, with the proceeds from the sale i ordered 300 capacitors. A little excessive but the one value i required was marked to become obsolete, so i stocked up just in case another of these beasts crossed my path in the future. These caps have now arrived and i am waiting on a poorly D90 to be returned to me and then i can get on with giving this Aqvox a real overhaul. The D90 filling in on digital duties until the Aqvox recap is done. Ahem… guilty as charged ‘yer honour. |
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