The KillerDAC Audio forum
General HIFI => Other DACs => Topic started by: kajak12 on July 31, 2011, 06:48:46 PM
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http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/opus.aspx
Cheap dac good value for money
Thanks to tuyen for a demo of opus dac +jkenny hiface a computer audio solution on a budget good sound for the money,plays high res files with a click of a keyboard button easy too set up. Sounds easy on the ear no problems ear plugs are not needed,as for high end audio not at this stage people its just a cardboard cutout of real music.Lacks weight and breath above all emotion of music its also flat sounding.
flemo and tuyen if you like put your 2 cents worth this is just my opinion.
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Indeed for $45 it is very good value for money. :) I can finally enjoy my collection of hi-res vinyl rips.
Running the OPUS in passive mode does make it lack a bit of energy and weight and sound a bit flat compared to a dac with an active output stage. I did find it has more delicacy and finesse in the presentation. But less weight/body in the music (which is quite crucial). Probably as we were listening to the 24/96 file compared to the CD on the kdac/audiogd combo. I noticed with Braddles AudioGD which uses the same chip but with an active gain stage, the energy is there (although extra gain stage + spdif input stage) being a downfall as it makes the sound quite muddled/congested and especially highs quite harsh compared to the kdac.
But from my short experience so far with even this basic hi-res setup, I'm starting to appreciate and get an understanding of some of the benefits that hi-res encoded music can deliver..
Maybe something like this 32-bit buffalo with tube output stage is next on the cards for me? :D Maybe.... oh wait, it's already sold :)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/1zn8yo7.jpg)
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Indeed for $45 it is very good value for money. :) I can finally enjoy my collection of hi-res vinyl rips.
Running the OPUS in passive mode does make it lack a bit of energy and weight and sound a bit flat compared to a dac with an active output stage. I did find it has more delicacy and finesse in the presentation. But less weight/body in the music (which is quite crucial). Probably as we were listening to the 24/96 file compared to the CD on the kdac/audiogd combo. I noticed with Braddles AudioGD which uses the same chip but with an active gain stage, the energy is there (although extra opamp stage + spdif input stage) being a downfall as it makes the sound quite muddled/congested and especially highs quite harsh compared to the kdac.
But from my short experience so far with even this basic hi-res setup, I'm starting to appreciate and get an understanding of some of the benefits that hi-res encoded music can deliver..
Maybe something like this 32-bit buffalo with tube output stage is next on the cards for me? :D Maybe.... oh wait, it's already sold :)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/1zn8yo7.jpg)
Just use a a high rez dac chip without built in op amps or its game over before it begins
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::) So it was crap then or put politely, 'a non substantial facsimile of a living breathing emersive experiance to delight and relax in' without diving for the volume knob or stop button. :'(
Whilst I beleive the timing of of HDD playback is better than the silver disc there is still a long way to go to get the life and colour happening. If that DAC managed it at such a low cost it would be an instant best seller so no major suprises for me here. Keep the experimenting going, its saving me a fortune! :P
V
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The Sabre ES9018 chip on that tubed buffalo II dac doesn't run built in opamps :)
Indeed, the experimenting factor for me is the fun part. Especially when it doesn't involve big $$$!!
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The Sabre ES9018 chip on that tubed buffalo II dac doesn't run built in opamps :)
Indeed, the experimenting factor for me is the fun part. Especially when it doesn't involve big $$$!!
Now your talking tuyen sabre chip no opamps all you need now is a great output stage and power supply
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I think I'll pass on trying anymore of these hi-res dac chips though. One is enough to get me going for now.
I'll consider trying something like a fully discrete R2R (ie. no actually DAC chip) hi-res dac when one that looks appealing is released. I know Core Audio Technology is currently building one. Similar idea to the TotalDAC. :) But apparently it's quite a long way away so just stick to what I got for now.
Although I am interested in having a listen to the Metrum Acoustics Mini NOS DAC Octave that bhobba has coming. No DAC chip! Hope you are willing to send it over for us WA buggers have a listen Bill!!!
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Got a custom pair of Bud Purvine's o'netics line transformers on the way. Data sheet as attached to this post.
I want to use it to convert balanced to unbalanced signal from my Twisted Pear Opus DAC that uses the wolfson WM8741 chip (datasheet: http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/documents/uploads/data_sheets/en/WM8741.pdf (http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/documents/uploads/data_sheets/en/WM8741.pdf))
Schematic for the Opus: http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/docs/digital/opus_schematic.pdf (http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/docs/digital/opus_schematic.pdf)
My question is, do I need to load the primary or secondary windings with any resistors and/or add any capacitors for any filtering?
Cheers! :)