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MDAC First Listen (part XXVIII)

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fusion5 said:
I just couldn't resist and opened up my Deltas to take a look at the amp module:

DELTA_02_PRE.JPG


Details:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_01.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_02.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_03.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_04.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_05.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_06.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_07.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_08.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_09.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_10.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_11.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_12.JPG
Click to expand...

OK, it appears ICEpower ClassD for the Low and Mids, while a Class A/B amplifier for the HF (there's trust in the HF performance of Class D for you :) ) - or maybe a cost saving issue as the HF only requires low power.

The input crossover board is full of ceramics capacitors in the signal path :( , although Films are used for larger values :)
 
PhilCTTE said:
Ncores must be a lucky match regards attenuation.
These guys are after passive attenuation mainly, to bring it to reasonable levels.
Click to expand...

I don't think they are
I just think they think they need attenuation. The levels they're using probably already are reasonable

(You didn't ask what level iansr is listening at on his mdac)
 
JohnW said:
OK, it appears ICEpower ClassD for the Low and Mids, while a Class A/B amplifier for the HF (there's trust in the HF performance of Class D for you :) ) - or maybe a cost saving issue as the HF only requires low power.

The input crossover board is full of ceramics capacitors in the signal path :( , although Films are used for larger values :)
Click to expand...

Earlier versions used ClassD for the tweeter as well. They changed this later due to some limitations: http://www.adam-audio.com/en/technology/ab-amplifier
 
JohnW said:
Richard Kimbers + Malyq units ship out tomorrow, then MattN & yours on Monday, Wintoid (I need to confirm the Headphone jack issue) on Tuesday then I have the last 4 units!!!
Click to expand...

Hi John,

Just wondering how you're getting on with this schedule :D Apologies for the impatience!

Simon
 
ChrisPa said:
I don't think they are
I just think they think they need attenuation. The levels they're using probably already are reasonable

(You didn't ask what level iansr is listening at on his mdac)
Click to expand...

My listening level is usually between 30-40db with ncores. 20db is to loud so I am therefore also considering a pre or attenuator. But will wait and see if MDAC2 will solve it. I would prefer not having a pre.
 
PhilCTTE said:
Ncores must be a lucky match regards attenuation.
These guys are after passive attenuation mainly, to bring it to reasonable levels.
I,ll probably wait till MDAC2 and matched Mamps.
John must be on the final few upgrades now. Last thing we want is to delay the new development.
Must admit I can't really imagine just how much more you can improve with the fusioned MDAC. Not as though I,m getting a lookin today, as it's been robbed for ps3 duties by the offspring. Little Big Planet has never sounded so good:D
It will be on party duties later.
Click to expand...

Having version 4 of nCores where the gain has been lowered. Works a charm with MDAC, no attenuation needed. My Evolution Acoustics MMMicroOne speakers are 87db which obviously is important. Considering iansr's experience from using the Fusioned MDAC as pre guess I need to wait for MDAC2 before making a pre decision.
 
JohnW said:
OK, it appears ICEpower ClassD for the Low and Mids, while a Class A/B amplifier for the HF (there's trust in the HF performance of Class D for you :) ) - or maybe a cost saving issue as the HF only requires low power.

The input crossover board is full of ceramics capacitors in the signal path :( , although Films are used for larger values :)
Click to expand...

I'm wondering if filters for frequency response EQ might cause SQ degradation and if yes, how much.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75485064/tensor/DELTA_10.JPG

Would make sense to somehow remove them from audio path if one doesnt use them?

And would be possible to change input gain in those speakers?
 
wintoid said:
Hi John,

Just wondering how you're getting on with this schedule :D Apologies for the impatience!

Simon
Click to expand...

Simon,

Just been using your DAC today to watch films on Youtube while I work on the MDAC2 - all in the name of testing you understand ;)

So asides from the Toy level upgrade, the headphone jack has been replaced - but get this its bootloaders appears OK??? - I've downloaded A08 and back to V0.90 no issue?

Anyway I guess we can ship your unit tomorrow - I'd like to give it a serous listen AM tomorrow (now the new caps should be run-in) - I've not listened to a TOY unit for awhile - your units had the latest Fusion upgrades (aside from the extra Vishays) - I'd just like to insure the SQ balance OK (so for this I really needed the unit run-in).
 
Thanks John. The bootloader was I think because mine was sometimes coming up silent. I guess it's possible that's the -80db bug?

Anyway, I'm not trying to rush you, just wanted to know how you were doing. Sounds like it might go out some time next week.

Cheers,

Simon
 
Listening to "i trawl the MEGAHERTZ" (Paddy McAloon/Prefab Sprout) wastly underestimated CD, just bought it from eBay for ~70€, spouse hates me for paying this amount for a CD. Love it ...

John, thanks for being here for us.

Cheers!

/Lars
 
wintoid said:
Thanks John. The bootloader was I think because mine was sometimes coming up silent. I guess it's possible that's the -80db bug?

Anyway, I'm not trying to rush you, just wanted to know how you were doing. Sounds like it might go out some time next week.

Cheers,

Simon
Click to expand...

Yes, it can hopefully go out tomorrow :)
 
Rune said:
My listening level is usually between 30-40db with ncores. 20db is to loud so I am therefore also considering a pre or attenuator. But will wait and see if MDAC2 will solve it. I would prefer not having a pre.
Click to expand...

Remove the R141 from the nCore, and you'll have ~13dB gain reduction.
 
misterdog said:
If you have the skills to remove SMD components !!

Someone screwed the whole PCB attempting this.
Click to expand...
For anything more serious, I can recommend the stuff that lowers the temperature needed for the solder to melt, the most famous one being Chip Quik, I believe. Not really needed for one resistor, though.
 
I expect to be burned for this...but...is there something similar I can do to the MDac's circuitry to decrease its output?

Even if I buy new actives it's only going to be better Adams so it would make sense at least for me.
 
misterdog said:
If you have the skills to remove SMD components !!

Someone screwed the whole PCB attempting this.
Click to expand...

It was my first time too with that small SMDs. Curiosity didn't kill the cat this time :).

Basically you just add solder on both sides of the component and with first-time-skillz also on top of it (flood the component). You heat the solder on top of the component (with very hot iron), which then heats both sides of the resistor. When both sides get melted (in a few seconds) at once you can just push the component away with a screwdriver.

If you use force, you can break something inside the pcb (the resistor moves without almost any force). Or if you heat the R141 up for a very long time (like a minute, with too cold iron), then something might break too. Also, check the area under the resistor, so there is no short between the resistor pads.

Otherwise it wasn't that hard thing to do, when you know how. However, if you try, don't blame me if something goes wrong :).
 
I'm typically listening at - 20db to - 16db. Clearly the speakers are a factor. I'm currently using Quad 57s with a sub and they are not that efficient.
 
I wonder in regards to my 8200mb, if the orig Tag design was to match their av pre at the time . It's 40 - 30 easy listening but 30 to 15 otherwise for me. Haven't tried it through the av receiver . Not sure there is much point because every input goes thru processing.
 
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