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In Reply to: DAC I/V Transformer comparison posted by William Childress on May 11, 2009 at 18:35:19:
Sorry I did not address these questions when they were first asked. I don't follow the forums on a daily basis. All I can say regarding the 496 IV transformers is this. Yes they do make a huge difference but in exchange for a huge sum of money. I did a lot of upgrades to my 2.1C kit. Since everything has run in properly, I can now make qualified statements as to the level of improvement. In addition to the 496 IV upgrade, I put in Ultra HiB OPTs. I put siver foil caps and BG nonpolars on the signal board. I put in the 1865 "K" chip, and upgraded the digital input transformer to the best one Peter makes. I upgraded the PSU with BG PK's, AN copper foils, and Mundorf Lytic HV double capacity caps for the B+ rails. So a lot has been done. All I can really say is this. I once had an AN 4.1x Balanced DAC. This extremely upgraded 2.1C sounds to my ears MUCH better. I have about 5K invested in it. About the same amount as you can buy a used 4.1x balanced for. I would choose my upgraded 2.1C any day over the 4.1x balanced. Of course, my 2.1C has better OPTs, better signal caps, the same IV transformers, and much better PSU B+ power regulation. The 4.1x balanced has independent power supplies for the digital and analog stages where the 2.1C has only one PSU for both. So rather than tell you that it "sounds awesome"....which it does. To be more objective, I can tell you what it sounds like in comparison to a known AN finished product. I have not heard the 4.1x Balanced Signature which would be the next step up the line before you get to the Level 5 stuff. The Balanced Signature costs 32K. I would hope it sounds better than a modded 2.1C kit! BTW: I use an AN CDT-2 MKII transport (unmodded) and a SOGON 1M digital cable. I used the same transport and digital cable for my comparisons of both DACS. I know this does not answer the simple original question which was how much difference does the 496 IVs make. With the design of these DACS, I don't think you can skimp on anything. The weakest link will always shine brightly. I can say that when you take the 2.1C to the edge, it can and will outperform DACS in the big leagues. But you have to max it out to get this kind of performance. 5k+ is a lot to spend on a kit DAC, but it is well worth the trouble and expense once you hear it. You would have to spend a LOT more than 5k to beat it with a finished product DAC. I hope this helps, but I fear I may have created even more confusion!!
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Follow Ups
- RE: DAC I/V Transformer comparison - footsurg 21:36:30 07/25/09 (1)
- RE: DAC I/V Transformer comparison - William Childress 18:39:58 07/28/09 (0)
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