most of the X-Fi users suffer this problem, doesn't matter...

I'm interested in modding my X-Fi. How much the minumum cost will it be? ie DAC+Caps+ADC... Is it really worth to mod a SC? any significant performance/acoustic improvements?

This post has been edited by campsol2k: Jun 6 2008, 12:34 AM

Depends on what kind of cap you're getting

Since i saw you put "minimum", my cost is about RM25++ (self-served), including the most expensive opamp which costs RM10++

CAPs

Panasonic FM
1000uF/16V - 3
68uF/35V - 2
33uF/35V - 7

Opamp
National LM4562MA

Gonna import some 470uF soon to replace those small value caps.

Diff in SQ ? Even a deaf person could tell the difference !

This post has been edited by UNDERGROUND: Jun 6 2008, 12:42 AM

My mod so far is free except the electricity bill... all my caps take from dead mobo, high quality also...

Going to order some Pana FM 470uF/16V to replace the C72 C74 C75 C107

Hehe, just finished my 'fourth phrase' modding by swapping the cap that you gonna to swap soon...

Me too, plus from dead graphics card except for LME49720 I bought it about a year ago

Hmm, let me see.....I get those caps from 4 dead graphics card plus two mobo

Oh and my latest mod, RCA jack on PCI backpanel Anyone want to guess what backpanel is that from?

Internal modem ?

Nope, actually its from Prodigy HD2 backpanel, even the RCA jack is from that card too

Where can i get this type of opamp - National LM4562? Is it the best DAC?

Is it important/necessary to replace the caps after replacing DAC?

Opamp is not a DAC, do some reading first before modding. Opamp = OPerational AMPlifier, DAC = Digital to Analog Converter

I already mention that changing opamp gives the biggest sound difference of all

You can buy those opamp from National Semiconductor themself or you can buy them from forumer (I forgot who, you can search at Music and Audio Related Accessories subforum)

Sorry my bad. You haven't answer all my question though. anyway thx for the info.

This post has been edited by campsol2k: Jun 6 2008, 02:28 AM

There are some caps that are necessary to replace to improve sound quality, like decoupling caps and DSP supply caps. Others are just to prolong the card's life simply because the caps on the cards are pure crap, prone to leaking and bursting

You can ask XTREME for more details about the modding service, or if you merely need the opamp only, you can find siewsphone

National LM4562 too popular adi, nothing special, bro make it special, use LME49720MA...

This post has been edited by coolkwc: Jun 7 2008, 12:17 PM

Hey, that's my mod you talking about



Well, I mod the card again, even though LME49720 sounds great, but its colored and it sounds too 'blue' so I removed it entirely and I put some caps on decoupling

are you going to bypass the opamps again? hey, do you know where can get the SOIC socket? i plan to solder on it so that i can change the opamp when i like...

This post has been edited by coolkwc: Jun 7 2008, 02:53 PM

I don't know, I don't think they make such socket for SOIC, there's only socket for MDIP one. If you want, buy MDIP socket and solder wire to corresponding pins. That too much of a hassle to me and the probability of something goes FUBAR is high

Well, darn it, the DC offset is too high >200mA so my amplifier keeps resetting when I change volume. Well, the LME49720 is on again. Ah never mind...it sounds great anyway, without any opamp it sounds laid back while with LME it sounds a bit forward

Huh? LME49720 better than LM4562? How about the price?

Nope, depends on your personal taste actually.

4562 - warm / more details
49720 - warmer / coloured / blue-ish ?

RM20 by SIEWSPHONE i guess, or if you get 4 opamps together maybe he will give you a cheaper price

This post has been edited by UNDERGROUND: Jun 7 2008, 09:20 PM