Dowser
Learning to bodge again..
I don't find anything online for this DAC, you have more details? Happy to take a look at it if you can get it to me in Swissieland
Richard
Collection of vintage DACs increases…
- Thread starter Dowser
- Start date
I don't find anything online for this DAC, you have more details? Happy to take a look at it if you can get it to me in Swissieland
Richard
lawrence001
Basic Member
russel
./_dazed_and_confused
Don't go near the 1543 it’s a budget chip and sounds it, distortion is about 20dB worse then the 1541A.
Dowser
Learning to bodge again..
Really? I’ve not a back-back comparison yet, that will come, but trying my Sugden Optima (normally used as a transport due to quality of components) through its 1543 based audio output was a surprise. I’d written it off due to poor reputation of the DAC, but was really surprised how good it sounded.
I need to put my modified CDI back into system soon and try some proper comparisons.
Space is the Place
pfm Member
My favorite Dac is an old Dacmagic... Dual Philips TDA1305 hybrid DACs. Three separate transformers feeding 19 independent power supplies...it sounds very different than my more modern dacs, less uptight more relaxed natural in it's presentation, im not sure if that slight distortion playing it's part, but its very enjoyable.
Dowser
Learning to bodge again..
Micromega Stage 2, 3, 5 & 6 CDPs also have a very well implemented dual 1305 DAC stages
russel
./_dazed_and_confused
The TDA1305 is a lot better than the 1543 and measures only slightly worse on distortion than the 1541A, the differential mode obviously gives even better performance.
Mike P
Trade: Pickwell Audio
This is what JW himself had to say about the TDA1305 and in the Dacmagic:
Unfortunately, the designs biggest weakness is the TDA1315 – the SPDIF input receiver. The TDA1315 has very poor jitter performance – despite claims otherwise from Philips, by the time this was realised; the front panels and casework had already been manufactured (the front panel has LED’s for sampling rate and copy protection). Changing the design to the better performing CS8412 was not an option, as the CS8412 has no direct method to drive the front panel sampling rate LED’s – and the budget was already very limited (original retail price was £149).
If possible, modifying the unit to “clock-lock” with the transport will bring enormous improvements – then the quality of the Dac becomes the limiting factor.
The first pre-production version of the design used Burr Brown devices (I seem to recall the PCM1710), I much preferred the sound of these DAC’s over the TDA1305’s, however the Burr brown DAC’s had a STUPID design fault that prevented them being used in dual differential mode.
The Burr Brown devices internal mute circuit was designed to detect all zeros – and not “change of data”. During “Mute” in dual differential mode, one Dac receives “all zeros” – and the second Dac “all ones”. This meant one side would go into Mute – while the other side still operated – resulting in DC offset on the outputs during “Mute”. As a result was that I was forced into using the TDA1305 as there where no other good performing “budget” DAC’s on the market at the time. Still many liked the sound of the TDA1305 – but Naim using it their CD3.5 is really stretching it way too far – these are BUDGET DAC’s – limited by there internal digital filtering. They have a very muddled Bass heavy sound, with poor sound stage – possibly, why Naim selected them?
My best DAC design for Cambridge Audio was the HDCD ISOmagic – if you can get hold of one, then it’s a unit worthy of modifications!
If you have an ISOmagic or CD4SE - don't let go of them - or you will find yourself regretting it later - just ask those who have...
Unfortunately, the designs biggest weakness is the TDA1315 – the SPDIF input receiver. The TDA1315 has very poor jitter performance – despite claims otherwise from Philips, by the time this was realised; the front panels and casework had already been manufactured (the front panel has LED’s for sampling rate and copy protection). Changing the design to the better performing CS8412 was not an option, as the CS8412 has no direct method to drive the front panel sampling rate LED’s – and the budget was already very limited (original retail price was £149).
If possible, modifying the unit to “clock-lock” with the transport will bring enormous improvements – then the quality of the Dac becomes the limiting factor.
The first pre-production version of the design used Burr Brown devices (I seem to recall the PCM1710), I much preferred the sound of these DAC’s over the TDA1305’s, however the Burr brown DAC’s had a STUPID design fault that prevented them being used in dual differential mode.
The Burr Brown devices internal mute circuit was designed to detect all zeros – and not “change of data”. During “Mute” in dual differential mode, one Dac receives “all zeros” – and the second Dac “all ones”. This meant one side would go into Mute – while the other side still operated – resulting in DC offset on the outputs during “Mute”. As a result was that I was forced into using the TDA1305 as there where no other good performing “budget” DAC’s on the market at the time. Still many liked the sound of the TDA1305 – but Naim using it their CD3.5 is really stretching it way too far – these are BUDGET DAC’s – limited by there internal digital filtering. They have a very muddled Bass heavy sound, with poor sound stage – possibly, why Naim selected them?
My best DAC design for Cambridge Audio was the HDCD ISOmagic – if you can get hold of one, then it’s a unit worthy of modifications!
If you have an ISOmagic or CD4SE - don't let go of them - or you will find yourself regretting it later - just ask those who have...
Thanks, good to know! I have plans to replace the larger psu-caps. At my diy level it is challenging enough to dismantle the pcb and solder capacitors. For now i enjoy as is
Dowser
Learning to bodge again..
Thanks, good to know! I have plans to replace the larger psu-caps. At my diy level it is challenging enough to dismantle the pcb and solder capacitors. For now i enjoy as is
With help of others here I reverse engineered a Stage 3 & 5 Micromega dual TDA1305 inplementation (post somewhere in DIY) - apart from making sure caps are OK, there really is very little to be done to improve it. In the stage 3 I kept, I just fitted a better clock to it.
I know your thread about the Micromega players well,- Your projects supplemented with photos are really good. And a good idea for me to ask for help here when I replace the capacitors in Dac1, yes.
foxwelljsly
Me too, I ate one sour too.
One of the nicest sounding DACs I’ve ever owned was an audio alchemy dde 1.1 with the upgraded power supply. Old hat when it died about 10 years ago and limited to 16/44.1, but a lovely thing. Think I bought it from @a.palfreyman but may be mistaken.
Mike P
Trade: Pickwell Audio
The transport was dreadful though. It occupies one of the top spots in my personal 'hall of shame' for the worst bits of equipment I have ever encountered!
a.palfreyman
pfm Member
Not me I'm afraid. You bought my Royd Sintras from me. I had an original dde, but eventually trashed the circuit boards playing with capacitors!
Nice to see a manufacturer understanding the importance of seperate transformers or windings for different DAC sections. I think this is one of the reasons my Theta DAC, and Audial DAC, sound so engaging.