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"You ain't heard nothin' 'til it's modded!" ;-)

Posted by spindrifter (A) on February 19, 2009 at 14:11:28

In Reply to: VALAB DAC any tweaks yet? posted by magicsam on February 19, 2009 at 05:49:14:

FYI, I replaced cheap, unsuitable Russian PIO caps as their early coupling function in the circuit demands better frequency linearity (top to bottom) - I slotted in 0.01uf ERO metallized polypropylene and foil instead. Crucially original totally-inappropriate tantalum output signal couplers were replaced by 2.2uf BC orange drop MKT (owing to severe space retrictions, would have preferred premium foil caps.) But once run in those BC MKTs are not too shabby at all!

I also installed Sanyo OSCON digital decouplers, Panasonic FM main DC reservoir caps, Cardas RCA chassis sockets and upgraded internal wiring etc etc. Undoubtedly worth the effort. These mods transform the DAC's sonic performance. Sounds more like analogue than digital.

BTW Mr Valab advertises his DAC contains 470uf Nippon Chemicon PSC solid aluminium polymer electrolytics. Well, it actually comes supplied with cheaper 330uf Nichicon electro's. In any case that capacitance value is overkill. Suggest you replace all those with 100uf 20V Sanyo OS-CONs for remarkable sonic improvement!

Trust this helps. Happy listening! ;-)

spindrifter

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