Updated:
02-Jan-06
Welcome to the DDDAC Column!
#11
Happy NEW YEAR 2006 !!
2005, what happened?
DDDAC1543MK2
Update on the 300B amplifier
GYDINEL, the story continues
(STILL :-) In the pipeline....
2005, what happened?
First of all,
this was a year of consolidation. At work, privately and with the audio hobby. This
means for the reader of my Site, you have not been hearing much from me, but
behind the screens I have been doing lots of stuff, but also tweaking things I
will publish later on. Not typical quick tweaks, just small changes and then
lots of listening... I also used 2005 to come up with the next version of the
DDDA1543 MK2..... this was a major thing and I enjoyed the possibilities these
days of small series SMD assembly and the access to very professional PCB making
for small series and individuals like me.... I discovered the blessings of
getting great I2S signals from a ripped CD, playing directly of a hard disk from
the PC. All in all 2005 was a GOOD year !!!
If 2006 would be the same I would be already a very happy man :-))) Join me in
being so .....
DDDAC1543MK2
Based on the
many inputs I received from very happy builders and listeners, I started to put
things in place. In the beginning I was kind of updating the old DAC, but as
things moved on, I figured out, that a modular concept, leaving all freedom to do
whatever one fits, I was doing the DIY a much better favor. As I worked my way
through forums, I found more and more discussions on the fact that playing music
from the PC over the USB interface was the next thing after sliced bread
...... So I expected many many designs for
USB to I2S converts. WRONG !! Most designs on the WEB are doing the wrong thing,
making SPDIF out of USB.... Read the results pages and you know what I mean....
What was left over were not very high end interpretations
from the TI datasheet.... So I took the challenge
and designed something what was actually very simple and straight forward, but
seemingly no one took the effort for. The audible results are just great and I
am working already on a Music server with a quiet PC and small touch screen :-)
Update on the 300B
amplifier
I did a major work up on the KR 300BXLS amplifiers and was
more than happy. This will follow soon, text is almost ready.... I replaced the
old small Oil Filter Caps with 100uF BG WKZ ones. Also removed the Rk with
the necessary decouple Oil C and implemented fixed
bias voltage and the
Tent Heater Supply. All this made the amplifier more dynamic, more direct, more
transparent and for all dead quiet.... I great fit with the NOS DAC and SACD player with Transformer
output. Some may like it to be to fresh and want the somewhat browner tube
sound, but that might be personal. I prefer the sound as it is now, extremely
transparent, without the "typical" analytical
flat sound from a transistor amplifier....
GYDINEL, the story continues
The GYDINEL
are coming to an end filter wise.... That took a long time, but mostly because
it already sounded so good and I had so little time. Now I was suddenly and
unexpected helped by Audio friend TriodeDick, who
was suddenly geared up by doing some testing with
a C79-C12 combination with active filtering for the low/mids..... We communicated
a lot and Dick did many many tests, much more than I could ever find time. I
followed his actions with some changes in my
filter as well and the end conclusions are very interesting........ I hope to
publish in spring or so. Want to give TriodeDick a
far chance to publish first :-)) I hope he reads this, haha !!
(STILL :-) In the
pipeline....
What a luxury problems I have !! Still a lot of projects in the fridge or are
"half way" from its final stage.....
Just peek in my design kitchen to keep your appetite in visiting my Site......
Happy Listening and Building !!!!
Doede Douma
IMPORTANT: The information provided on this page is intended as guide for DIY activities and therefore free to copy and or publish. If any one wishes to use any of the information from my WEB site, please make sure to refer and footnote to my URL Link as source! Doede Douma