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Post by sq225917 on Jul 18, 2023 23:02:38 GMT
Buying up all obsolete caps, I hear you....
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 18, 2023 23:44:02 GMT
Buying up all obsolete caps, I hear you.... Had to be done! Fell foul of not buying enough Jfets in the past..never made that mistake again. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 5, 2023 21:07:40 GMT
Update:
A slower than usual evening in the workplace means i can get a few things caught up on the mod thread.
So far, there has been a great deal of effort gone into research regarding the regulators on the PCB (not the power supply)
The reason for this is that during research inspired by discussion on another thread, i ended up stumbling across some 7812 & 7912 replacements that offer much improved measured performance. Being keen to maximise the performance of the DAC i bought some. I am genuinely excited to get these in situ.
I am away for a few days in the next couple of weeks and i have a couple of other things to finish off, but i am going to be starting physical work on this ASAP. I cannot wait.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 14, 2023 20:29:16 GMT
We're off!!!! Huge Panasonic caps and lots of red Wurth caps. More to do!    |
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Post by gninnam on Aug 15, 2023 19:39:01 GMT
Good luck !!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 15, 2023 20:04:25 GMT
Thanks matey. No progress today, unfortunately. Maybe a bit tomorrow. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 17, 2023 18:45:32 GMT
I have now completed fitting all of the replacement parts I have, and have also fitted two of the three new regs, which should be a very useful upgrade. The 3.3v reg has a different pin out, so I need to find a way to make that work. However I'm away for a few days so it won't be until next week. I also need to order 4x 3.3uf PP caps and 8x 22uf electrolytic caps to finish off the output section as I decided I'd rather have caps there than not. Once they are here, this badboy will going back together!   |
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Post by brucew268 on Aug 17, 2023 19:53:38 GMT
So did you use a Pros Kit SS-331 desoldering station to do all of that removal work or summat else?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 17, 2023 21:05:28 GMT
So did you use a Pros Kit SS-331 desoldering station to do all of that removal work or summat else? I used a wep station, which was excellent, I must say. a.aliexpress.com/_mKJPBfy |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 22, 2023 21:36:40 GMT
Mini update. I was right. The pins on the replacement regulator for the LDO 3.3v are different to the original so I need to do some jiggery-pokery to get that in place. In the meantime, I have decided that whilst I CAN leave the DAC with no coupling caps, I don't actually want to. So, I have ordered 4x 22uf Panasonic FMs to replace the Chang's, and 4x Amtrans PP caps for the job.  I have no idea if they are any better than the ones I took out. They look very similar and are probably exactly the same, but I feel better knowing I didn't cheap out and just put them back in 🤣 www.hificollective.co.uk/components/amtrans-amcg.htmlI am extremely hopeful that this will be finished this week and getting some hours on it. The end is in sight! |
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Post by misterc on Aug 22, 2023 23:35:33 GMT
Those Amtrans can be a bit stark in the wrong place Oli, I used a few in Wadia last year, quite a sideways move, however different dac different result.
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 23, 2023 8:22:01 GMT
Those Amtrans can be a bit stark in the wrong place Oli, I used a few in Wadia last year, quite a sideways move, however different dac different result.
I don't know how they will sound, but I was really limited on space 29x19mm and the only options are these Amtrans or put the originals back in. As we all know by now, I like to try new things, so the Amtrans were chosen. If they sound terrible I will remove them and put the originals back in. |
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Post by misterc on Aug 23, 2023 9:07:30 GMT
That is one of the bonus of these caps tight space fitment, I have six larger one to fit to a vlave amp later
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 23, 2023 9:25:38 GMT
That is one of the bonus of these caps tight space fitment, I have six larger one to fit to a vlave amp later Yep... sometimes available real estate makes the decision for you! |
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Post by optical on Aug 23, 2023 9:37:35 GMT
Yeah sometimes you need caps that just fit. Had to cram some 4.7uF ones into my tiny valve DAC, the Amtrams were deffo a big upgrade over the Wima's it came with although I'm sure there are better (but bigger) out there.  |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 23, 2023 10:02:34 GMT
Yeah sometimes you need caps that just fit. Had to cram some 4.7uF ones into my tiny valve DAC, the Amtrams were deffo a big upgrade over the Wima's it came with although I'm sure there are better (but bigger) out there. WIMA aren't all the same cap though. Depending on the designation number they are either PET, MKP, PP Film and Foil. The WIMA Film and Foil are SUPERB caps, the PET arent anything special. Any PP or MKP cap will be audibly better than a PET in my experience. Just saying 👍 |
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Post by optical on Aug 23, 2023 10:13:39 GMT
Yeah sometimes you need caps that just fit. Had to cram some 4.7uF ones into my tiny valve DAC, the Amtrams were deffo a big upgrade over the Wima's it came with although I'm sure there are better (but bigger) out there. WIMA aren't all the same cap though. Depending on the designation number they are either PET, MKP, PP Film and Foil. The WIMA Film and Foil are SUPERB caps, the PET arent anything special. Any PP or MKP cap will be audibly better than a PET in my experience. Just saying 👍 Yeah fair enough, to be specific they were the cheapo ones (MKP) which aren't awful but my point is the Amtrans were a big step up (in this position). Although I will qualify that by saying I changed a few caps in the power supply to better ones too . . . so I could be a bit off base with the "big upgrade" remark. My feeling is that they were very good for the price and given their flexibility (being so small) compared to a lot of caps, they're going to be fine. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 23, 2023 10:54:38 GMT
WIMA aren't all the same cap though. Depending on the designation number they are either PET, MKP, PP Film and Foil. The WIMA Film and Foil are SUPERB caps, the PET arent anything special. Any PP or MKP cap will be audibly better than a PET in my experience. Just saying 👍 Yeah fair enough, to be specific they were the cheapo ones (MKP) which aren't awful but my point is the Amtrans were a big step up (in this position). Although I will qualify that by saying I changed a few caps in the power supply to better ones too . . . so I could be a bit off base with the "big upgrade" remark. My feeling is that they were very good for the price and given their flexibility (being so small) compared to a lot of caps, they're going to be fine. I know mate, but I use a lot of WIMA caps in the phonostages and preamps and I didn't want people thinking we stuffed them with junk 🤣 Just wanted to make sure anyone reading understands that WIMA make some top caps too, which is why I use them. If I could get 3.3uf in WIMA Film and Foil, I'd have bought them! |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 24, 2023 8:01:02 GMT
Butchery has occured and the 3.3v LDO has been replaced. All I am waiting for now is the caps for the output and then this beast is going back together!  |
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Post by misterc on Aug 24, 2023 9:06:58 GMT
Replacement LT337/317 Oli?
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Post by zleepy on Aug 24, 2023 9:17:12 GMT
Fantastic work Oli, I'm very eager to hear your comments once you get it up and running!  |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 24, 2023 9:22:34 GMT
Replacement LT337/317 Oli? LM117-3.3V |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 24, 2023 9:23:36 GMT
Fantastic work Oli, I'm very eager to hear your comments once you get it up and running! Thanks Karl. I'm becoming VERY eager to hear it. A lot of work has now gone into this DAC, so I am hoping it blows my mind. If not, it'll be in the classifieds 🤣🤣 |
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Post by firebottle on Aug 24, 2023 10:12:10 GMT
If not, it'll be in the classifieds 🤣🤣 Don't talk saft, it's your favourite Dac  |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 24, 2023 11:03:43 GMT
If not, it'll be in the classifieds 🤣🤣 Don't talk saft, it's your favourite Dac It is 🤣 |
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Post by misterc on Aug 24, 2023 13:57:37 GMT
It does seem pair well with the 686's drier presentation, I have just taken one in P/X and hooked up the earlier version of that dac, I have completely rebuilt the power supplies and made a custom 3 secondary Tx, haven't got time right now to replace what requires doing to really make it sing.
Maybe after a certain D90 has decided to let me in on why it manages to 'loose' a dual rail supply to the analogue stage!!!
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 24, 2023 16:11:20 GMT
It does seem pair well with the 686's drier presentation, I have just taken one in P/X and hooked up the earlier version of that dac, I have completely rebuilt the power supplies and made a custom 3 secondary Tx, haven't got time right now to replace what requires doing to really make it sing. Maybe after a certain D90 has decided to let me in on wny it manages to 'loose' a dual rail supply to the analogue stage!!! 🤣🤣 I wonder whose D90 that could be 🤦🏻 |
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 29, 2023 12:40:18 GMT
Update: The Amtrans arrived 30 minutes before I had to go to work, so I quickly fitted them and put the new feet on the casework. I tried to get it back together before I had to leave for work, but ran out of time. Hopefully I'll be listening tomorrow!   |
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Post by pete on Aug 29, 2023 14:44:29 GMT
Looking forward to hearing more!!
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 29, 2023 15:42:45 GMT
Looking forward to hearing more!! I'm just looking forward to hearing it 😂😂 |
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