excuse me , i am a newbie accually .. what are the different between DAC and amp accually ? thanks
which model of budget 300> can intro to me for my headphone ?

lt1364x2 plz...

uih...rioven... apa plak plan ko ni kan....

DAC is like your soundcard but stays external. While amp is like a device to strengthen and power up the signal from source example DAC, soundcard.

Well, of course I would intro you to get the ZERO dac, the built in amp is quite efficient to drive headphone while the DAC produce great sound with all kind of opamp rolling option

---

Added on April 16, 2008, 1:31 am

LT1364
=====
1. utellme
2. rioven x 2
3. ccschua
4. dark_evilz x 2
5. Kyl3 x 2


LT1361
=====
1. utellme
2.
3.
4.
5.


LT1469
=====
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

LT1057
=====
1. ccschua
2.
3.
4.
5.

ahahaha..just rolling opamp for drhead je....

*ehem* was feeling a lil rajin today... and also felt like wanna lansi.... so see muh siggy

Wow lansi ~~~ Ultimate ZERO DAC (w/ OPA627) !!! This setup may last you for quite some time, but I could see a possible headamp upgrade from you

To all interested party: Emm ... how you you guys pondering so far? Deadline is approaching

headamp??? no need to upgrade... will probably shove in the OPA627 into my battery headamp.

right now the combo of ZERO (OPA627) + Battery amp (OPA2107) is awesome la...alot better than the ZERO headamp with OPA627. but not feeling rajin enough to open up both and put the OPA627 into the battery amp yet... heheheh

of all the pix of the ZERO that ive posted... ive never posted where its home is... so...

LT1364
=====
1. utellme
2. rioven x 2
3. ccschua
4. dark_evilz x 2
5. Kyl3 x 2
6. stormspider x 2

LT1361
=====
1. utellme
2.
3.
4.
5.


LT1469
=====
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

LT1057
=====
1. ccschua
2.
3.
4.
5.

Total: 12 units, 8 more to go, LOL looks like it gonna take some time to complete the bulk!

ok... i think ive decided on my final setup with the Zero....

ESI Maya44 -> (ZERO + OPA627AP in DAC) -> (Cute Battery II Headamp + OPA627AP) -> Beyerdynamic DT990 '05.

the battery has a slighly narrower soundstage than the zero's amp..but i dont really need soundstage since i listen mainly to metal.

ive always found the zero's built in headmp a lil weak for the DT990 for some reason...its as if there was some sort of veil to it.. almost muffled..dont get me wrong...they sounded good... but i knew there could be better. the battery has alot more power and alot more detail at the same volume level. everything is crisp and clear and even the bass is tighter and punchier. and more importantly..it didnt sound weak.

the only issue i have with this setup is that the 627 + browdog is a little "tall". the guy i bought it from placed the 627 in removable sockets so the sockets add to the height. which means i cant close my battery amp properly... LOL

anyway...i guess i need to get off my scrawny butt and get down to chopping up some Canare L-4E6S for some decent RCA-RCA cables.... currently using the RCA cables that came with my Firestone Audio Fubar II.

---

Added on April 22, 2008, 3:13 pmby the way mike... any chances of getting the OPA627BP ??

those on the zero thread in headfi claim that the BP is far superior than the AP

OP627BP?
I think my friend got stock..let me check for ya after work tonite. Price should be about the same or 2-3USD more..

Wow i found got upgraded to Nichicon Muse , Elna Silmic II , Elna RE3 and some Wima Film cap

hi empire23 where u get those Elna cap and MUSE because i cant find in K.L are u get from oversea thanks ? thanks

i just order Zero DAC ....
cant wait already

---

Added on April 24, 2008, 1:02 pmfor DAC owner normally wut input u prefer COAX or optical

for my personal Coax cable

im using coaxial... although... ive tested plugging in both coaxial and optical at the same time form the same source... and switching between them using the front switch on the Zero.

cant tell any difference.

ok maybe when my Zero arrived i try it out n see got any different

wut the cost u upgrade ur Zero from empire23 .... just the cap

that wan me thinks u best ask empy himself..not my place to state prices...sorry.

but it was lesser than expected due to the fact there werent enough parts and lack of time to obtain them as empy was leaving for aussie in a few days.

ok nvm anywhere thanks .....
actually i can mod mysellf but just the component i want cant get in K.L
especially Elna n Nichicon Muse those audio grade cant get .... only those normal one
i more prefer to use Elna cap compare others Blackgate is way more expensive due stop production

Wow, bro Abel already talking about modding, anyway hope to arrange another meet when next bulk arrive, I just got myself new toys for you guys to play with But i think not quite up to taste of mADdude

must be something related with tubes

Stay tuned I guess bro Stormspider would lovesss it

ermm this my DIY Tube preamp when Zero DAC come it will go thru to this before going to amp.
even the PCB i do myself really not easy to do take me 3-4 days to finish

I can't believe the 2nd bulk taking so long to complete the MOQ. I think this is the perfect for those buying their 1st amp/dac. One of the best value you can find, and it's relatively cheap!

I ripped some old CDs in lossless and couldn't stop grinning ear to ear Even my el crapo Panasonic Mini Compo sounds better with the DAC feeding it music.

Hmm... and just what would that be?

Please don't add any new poisons into my system... currently have
too much in my " to buy" list already..

Next month's salary already

Well since I'm posting, minus as well update everyone on my ZERO experience..

I've already sold off my ADA 885 speakers as my headphone now produces better sound
quality with the Zero. I have added in the OPA627s into the DAC section and the bass and
details never ceases to amaze me..

Listened to an old Ray Charles song and I could actually hear his voice vibrate with a
slight echo.. don't really know how to put it in words but it's just AMAZING..

Looking into upgrading to the next level and to grab some bookshelf speaker and an amp to
hook up to my ZERO...

LOL actually I also quite surprise with the 2nd bulk progress, maybe ppl waiting for a head to head group test between similiar priced SOURCE like Prodigy HD2, IBasso's Viper D2 ...



LOL of course I will try inject more poison and emotion to your favourite vocal, just stay tuned! If you really wanted to build a bookshelf system, please do consider Usher S520, just google it and see why

i just get my LM4562NA sample cant wait my DAC liow hahaha

how's the opamp bulks going? macam slow jer...

Just finished reading this thread. Thinking hard about Zero DAC but i have few queries as below: -


My current HIFI setup is as follow: -

a) Cambridge Audio 540A CD player (wolfson WM8740 24-bit/192kHz DAC) -> Cambridge Audio 540A Amplifier -> Sonus Faber Concertino Domus

Question (a) - is Zero DAC (Burr Brown OPA627)better than Wolfson DAC?

b) Slim Devices Squeezebox 3 Network Music Player (Burr Brown 24-bit DAC) -> Cambridge Audio 540A Amplifier -> Sonus Faber Concertion Domus

Question (b) - Not sure what model Burr Brown DAC used in Squeezebox 3, is it better than Zero DAC?


My music taste is towards classical, new age, jazz, easy listening, is OPA627 suit my music taste?


Cheers!

Quite slow la, bro ~~~ less attention, maybe after bulk 2 received the stock, may quicken the bulk order



Actually It's hard to answer your question cos we didnt have any direct comparison between the ZERO dac with OPA627, CA 540A and Squeezebox 3, maybe can invite one of our "ZERO with OPA627" bring along his unit to your house for direct comparision? Your 4k Sonus Faber Concertino Domus is quite an attraction

My current setup is:

PC > Zero DAC (OPA 627 in DAC section) > Denon Amp PMA 500-AE > Wharfedale Diamond 9.1

Currently experiencing some unrefined bass where the bass will sound hollow as in a "Doong" sound which will sound overwhelming till it drowns out the other parts of the song.. An example would be Duffy's Mercy also experienced the same for other songs in flac format playing using foobar...

I'm suspecting that the synergy is not there cause there's no such problem when I'm listening out through the headphone amp...

Just my experience with hooking it up to an amp and bookshelf speakers.. doesn't mean the same thing with other setup as it depends on the synergy with the other components...

I think should be the synergy problem, try the simple tunning first like cable changing, maybe try "slimmer" speaker cable, one of my Taiwan mentioned to me before Slimmer cable do result in thinner tonal, less full, that's what he said la, not sure it's bluffing or not

wut i know the thinner cable is suitable for bookshelf or those low power amp and speaker if those high power amp n speaker u need thicker cable ....... wut i found thinner copper cable give lack of bass if thicker cable the bass are more solid n stable is also depends on ur speaker n ur system nvr try nvr know

It's still best to do audition for comparison. Who can offer a 'demo' Zero with OPA627 or default OPA2604 for auditioning? I stay around Puchong.

I just found out Burr Brown PCM 1748 24-bit 96kHz DAC chip is used for Squeezebox 3, anyone know how good is this PCM 1748 compared to AD 1852 24-bit 192kHZ DAC chip?

I'm owned the stork zero, Which part of puchong?

i think better wait arrived of second bulk order ask GodLuvSxS to come to K.L have a small TT to audit n compare ask some volunteer to bring some DAC ....

That's good suggestion.

Btw, i heard from other website, besides DAC chips, opamp, the circuitry design in PCB also affect the sound quality.

Just imagine Mercedes engine(DAC/opamp) in Proton chasis (PCB) compared to a genuine Mercedes car.

I would like to bring attention to the fact that normally GodLuvSxS would choose a common place in a public area to COD..
(The last time being KL Sentral Starbucks) So you won't really be able to see how well the Zero DAC matches your own
system... would just like to point this out... for in my case, I bought an amp and wharfedale without testing how it would
sound with the Zero thus leading to my current predicament...

how about the person(s) who want to test the DAC with a speaker system offer their place for a mini-meet of about 4-5 people max? then u can test the speakers' synergy with the DAC. and others who uses headphones could also test it out at the same time...

As Stormspider mentioned, I usually choose a common place is public area to COD, maybe Bro auronthas try to contact utellme arrange a possible audition since bro utellme asking about your location, probably he's staying around there

Sorry i can't arrange audition at my home due to family problem. I would google around before make up my mind, if everything ok, i would make an order and PM GodLuvSxS.

nvm just test with the headphone bcoz i going to get 1 headphone soon

hi abel,

are u using tube amp? happy with your tube amp, mind to share your hifi setup ?

Hi guys, I got one ready stock ZERO dac coming in along with the second bulk, it's actually bro velodyne82 friend's unit but just that he FFK velodyne82, I'm here to just help him sell it here, price is the same RM410 minus the waiting period If u dont have spdif output, just top up another RM20 to get the USB to SPDIF converter, it's ready stock too

Just PM me

Hi Kwek,

Can I borrow your LT1361 and LT1469? I am in Cheras, I can meet you anywhere in KL.

I dunno why Lawrence recommended AD797 since it is not unit gain stable. I felt missing out AD797 since this chip is widely used in MBL DAC.

besides i am looking for
1. 1x LT1028
2. 1x DY2000 (ceramic or metal)

how to find above ??

recently i switch back to stock OP2604 as I changed my tube to Mullard, meant for vocal, laid back listening. I found i am able to listen longer using tube like opamp.

-----
i have order these

Part Number Description QTY
LT1028ACN8 Ultra Low Noise Op Amp 2
LT1057ACN8 Dual Precision JFET Op Amp 1
LT1361CN8 Dual 4mA 50MHz 800V/uSec OA 1
LT1469CN8 Dual 90MHz 16-Bit Accurate OA 1


is it correct part number ?

Yup, all part number is correct, as long as they are PDIP and unity gain stable then it's compatible!

sorry for late reply

i just use diy Tube Buffer ...... my setup very normal only Marantz PM-4001 amp and Marantz CD5001 cd player with Mordaunt Short Carnival 2 speaker if not using the tube buffer sound very light .... vocal thin

i saw ur signature u using soundstage 1.5 what i know soundstage amp enuf power for ur B&W ... n little sound bright ? bcoz B&W is using metal dome dunno la this my own opinion

well the soundstage 1.5 hybrid is 35W / channel. My setup is quite musical. I have lots of choice with the setup. I can change the tube or the DAC opamp to get the best results. As for power, I seldom turn the volume more than 10 oclock, usually at 9.00 clock. quite happy with the power. The sound since I change to Mullard is very warm. Tonal separation is quite good. but suffers from dynamic, fast moving musics, till the point music get congested, and out of sync. Well a comprise is required. since i am getting more opamp, I will test and see.

The Linear email confirm I should receive my sample in 5-8 days time. cant wait for the opamp to come for rolling.

my Linear still not yet received already 1 week but already confirm ship out and now also waiting my OPA827 new one .... yeah soundstage not dynamic myself also like Mullard i think sound stage is running ECC82.

hehe i get all the opamp first before the DAC arrived

yeah most important yourself like the sound dont get poison by ppl hahahah

Emm ... is there any ppl interested to take a listen to the ZERO dac? You guys may come over to join our second bulk COD gathering and bring along your headphone test kau kau, dont be shy dont be scare, the Starbucks ppl wont chase us away

PM me or leave a msg here, so we could arrange into a list





EDIT: Forgot to let you guys inform of the second bulk shipment status. I phoned the logistic company this afternoon and they mentioned the shipment would arrive tomorrow at port, will keep you guys updated again tomorrow. Thanks

when is the big day. may be someone interested to come and test. is kwek still in.

I'm still arranging the date and time, I'm going to bring along the LT1461 + LT1364