Yeah lah. PKing the opamp and small upgrade that we have done. So I will bring power cord and DY2000. I will Madmen can bring the modded unit for test.

U can also bring your mystery gadget if can.

This post has been edited by ccschua: Jul 27 2008, 09:59 PM

I thot only opamp and zero dac.

Hope someone can bring along the cd by Nils Lofgren live and Whitesnake live in Tokyo. Very acoustics.

next wish item is Grado headphone, 325 (bmw).

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Added on July 27, 2008, 10:24 pmwhat difference does it make ? ELNA for Audio and ELNA Silmic 2, ELNA Silmic and ELNA Cerafine ?

the switching diode by MUR is the fastest switching available, heard it improves the sound quality ?

This post has been edited by ccschua: Jul 27 2008, 10:26 PM

That marantz CD6002 is Crystal CS4398 which is 120 dB SN ratio. 24kHZ upsampled to 192 kHZ, dynamic range 100dB. Wheareas ZERO DAC is Analogue Devices AD1852 which is 120 dB SN ratio and 24khz upsampled to 192 khz, dynamic range 117 dB.

The above does look quite the same, until the Low pass filter stage.

ZERO uses cheapo OPA 2604 whereas Marantz CD6002 uses HDAM.

but ZERO with 2xOPA 627 vs CD 6002, and the implementation between the 2, your ears will be the judge.

There was 2 school of thought about AD1852 and CS4398. 1 is warm and sweet while the other is dynamic and neutral.

At the end of the day, what is the price u are willing to pay.

This post has been edited by ccschua: Jul 28 2008, 12:26 AM

Bro,

The way u write the review uncle Marantz very soon become Uncle Zero.

Very good review indeed, it actually clears a lot of doubt or suspisions people have about the zero dac, about the value for money.

I believe if u start using ZERO DAC, u will know what kind of sound character u want and later on can promote to the next level. Start with ground ZERO.

Now I am on the hunt for marble as speaker base and also speaker spike or vibropad. i think value for money is still my priority concern.

some say if u pay RM 500, dont expect RM 2000 sound. Well, see how the Japanese cars did to US cars.

about the 1.5 upgrade to 1.5 SE, Tong Lee quoted me RM 500 previously and refuse to tell me what is the upgrade. some more I promote so much of soundstage product. I think I will make 1 more visit to Tong Lee. They are altogether about 9 capacitors, (2 of them made in France) and I think 2 output transistors that need to be upgrade. With that upgrade, it will change from 35 W to 55 W. Again this is just my guess.

This post has been edited by ccschua: Jul 28 2008, 08:03 PM

Now my turn to poison you. Are u looking for Mullard like tube. Well I have 1 pair of Amperex lying around.

I think soundstage or other tube hybrid is very interesting gear to begin with, since u can swap tubes to give the signature u like. Later on u can pair with power amp, another upgrade. So many upgrade, small or medium, u can go play around.

I think gatevalve has gone very far liao. The upgrade by Tong Lee is interesting, perhap u can become the path finder.

Still no one want to try the HDAM meh.

Wow the mod that I have been waiting for. Please see for yourself how highly rank is ZERO DAC and the great potential in the Lampization mod.

please take a look at this.

http://www.lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/REFERE...AC/ZERODAC.html

I hope someone can do this for me, our homebound Empire23.

Yeah and I think the costs is not high. The improvement is basically coming from the removal of opamp, instead uses tube buffer, which is more desirable. It looks to me not somany component is involved, so it would be kind of easy.

so can call Zero tube.

This post has been edited by ccschua: Jul 29 2008, 11:09 PM


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I doubt it will be hot inside, since the tube is meant for buffer, the current out will probably in the mA range. some of the CDP and DAC also have the tube reside inside the casing, but with proper ventilation.

The tube being install outside helps in the rolling and changing of tube, and also to know if its working.

Hope to see u guys. please bring along the Grado if possible tomorow.

This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 2 2008, 03:53 PM


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Please bring some interesting tracks to test.

This is part 2 of the mysterious scope.




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We really miss your unit. All we try was a new unit, which is my unit. The new unit sound a bit harsh, need burn in. Now my unit end up with SKY 1809. Hope all owner report in and madmen can update the owner list.

I have been talking to the designer of HDAM, and he is very helpful..

This is the final part of mystery (I dunno how to upload all picture)




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On the coaxial, they are some poisons. Some say the expensive can give u the warmth or the neutral type, price up to RM few hundred.

But if u want starters, can talk to Abel. He can make some good coaxials or even pcworks I think. have u tried the optical or not.

All I can after rolling the opamp, I still think the DY2000 gives the most forward vocal, and best of all, smooth. Hope to hear some DY2000 owners report.

I have bought 2 sets. 1 set I would like to try my own. Anyone interested for the 2nd set, let me know.

Sorry for the mystery, i really dunno how to post the picture. anyway here is the translation taken from the website (sorry for the english, it was my bad english)


Application : Generally the IC opamp application is designed for industrial usage. When the IC opamp is used for audio, the performance is less than satisfactory. This discrete opamp uses accurate matching of components and audiophile grade resistors, combined with dedicated audio design circuitry and gives a smooth and natural output sound. This discrete opamp can be used to replace existing amplifier or DAC upgrade.

OPA – Earth : Our first generation discrete opamp has been sold throughout the world by other marketing means. This discrete opamp utilizes integrated cascode circuit with the schematic based on single channel circuit which is an improvement based on new improved parameters and technology. The sound characteristics is neutral and natural. THD Less than 0.0005%(1KHz), Operating voltage：±9 TO ±25V，Open loop gain：35DB，Operating current：Approx. 28MA（Single Output），Approx. 56MA（Dual Output）。

OPA-SUN : This discrete opamp uses full balanced circuit design which is widely accepted by our Hong Kong and American followers among our other products. The sound characteristics is energetic, huge dynamics and good impulse response. THD Less than 0.0003%(1KHz), Operating voltage ：±9 TO ±25V，Open loop gain：42DB，Operating current：Approx. 22MA（Single Output），Approx. 44MA（Dual Output）。

This discrete opamp not only can replace typical single or double output opamp, but also has a separate earth wire that can be connected to the earth of the player. Even if the earth is not used, the output sound will have slight difference. User can choose to decide his own, but we recommend to connect the earth wire to ground.

Dual OPA:It can replace AD712, AD827, C4570, JRC4580, JRC5532, JRC5532D, JRC5534, LF353, LF358,LM833N, NE5532, NEC4520, NEC4570, NJM2068D, NJM2114, NJM2214D, NJM4558, NJM4558D, NJM4560, NJM5532, NJM4558P, OP275, OPA2132, OPA2134, OPA2604, RC4558D, RC4558, TL052, TL072,LT1057,BA5218,EL2244,LM4562

Single OPA:It can replace LF356, LF357, NE5534, LT1122, OPA627,OPA637,OPA604, AD797,AD811, AD844,OPA603,OPA134.

Price:
OPA-EARTH Dual OPA USD22.5/1 unit (24*24*40)
OPA-EARTH Single OPA USD12/1 unit (24*11*40)

OPA-SUN Dual OPA USD30/1 unit (24*24*40)
OPA-SUN Single OPA USD16/1 unit (24*11*40)
(Without Postage)

Extension lead of the OPA, price only add USD3/unit,


This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 4 2008, 08:22 PM

Depends on what kind of sound u are after. ZERO is a 24bit DAC, it gives the resolution and dynamics that u want. However if u want vocal, you can also tweak it to your liking (although not too much lah).

Depends on how much you expect, I have been happy with it. Whether it sounds 2k or not, it depends on your purpose.

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Added on August 4, 2008, 9:11 pmI would suggest dont go for too cheap one. Try to look for Canare as starters or Belden. Take a look at this, but not necessary to buy from them.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm



This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 4 2008, 09:11 PM

Anyway, I have cancelled the order of 2 sets and decide to just order 1 set of both earth and sun.

I will test and see how it performs.

I hope some guys can post the test results of DY2000.

so how's the feeling listening to the digital DAC, compared to your average soundcard ? compare to your CDP ? compare to other DAC ?

now if u put in the opamp, LM 4562, LT 1057, OPA 627, u should notice the difference sound char. to notice the sound difference, get yourself some good reference CD. best to get the 24bit recording.

Why dont u wait for the OPA Earth, suppose to giv u neutral and natural (soft and delicate ) sound.

If you get the original track of this one, it will shock u.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBq7XRa6uZM&feature=related

The part where he play the harmonics really lively high.

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Added on August 6, 2008, 12:40 amWith regards to the Nomenclature of the Earth and Sun OPA, it goes like this.

Earth, representative of mother nature, peace, has the sound that binds this element.

Sun represents Openness, attack, vivacity, can clearly shows the dynamics of musics.

If the support for these products is encouraging, the designer has another unit in Mind - Moon, with the soft and warm glow tubes like sound.

Hope to receive my unit by next week.


This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 6 2008, 12:40 AM

Oops. Tried the LT 1057.

Basically this opamp quite analytical. if u have warm and laid speaker and want to crank more detail out of it, try this.

It gives more acoustics, at the same time more bass. Bass is a little loose though.

the Earth and Sun already send out. by next week should get. Hope the sound dont disappoint us.

This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 8 2008, 04:02 PM

Wonder how are u guys are testing the unit and whats your setup. By now u should hear some difference. Do post some notes if u bring the Zero to test around.

If u are looking towards some RCA cables, there are some used rca currently on sale.

Some of the test results shows a simple SNIPPIT bypass job can have good results. Although not as good as HDAM, it is still an improvement.


This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 10 2008, 10:47 PM

Hi guys sorry to keep u waiting. I have posted the review at here. It is a nice upgrade, there is everything to gain and the cost is way cheaper than OPA 627.

please check it.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/review-ze...8/index532.html

pls see thread #5316, 5326,5323

This is what my first impression about OPA Earth and what I wrote the designer Mr He KingWa.

Just receive your OPA - Earth and Sun. Very nice packing.

test rig :
tranport : DVD NS76H
ZERO DAC with OPA EArth
Amplifier : Audiospace DU2.8i, 4 nos 6V6, 1x12AX7, 2x12AU7
Speaer : AAD Silver reference 1

cables : QED Qunex 2, stock optical
Test CD : Nils Lofgren, Acoustic Live, Chinese Audiophile CD, Chinese Cai Qing, Chesky

First impression I must say very long lasting. I have found the sound that I miss. The earth sounds so natural and crisp clear. The separation is very good when I play the chinese high impact drums. The vocal is so natural and the singer sibilance (like the Sssst, Ssssh) is gone. This is what I am looking for. It is so much better than the OPA 627, way much better.



good job. next I will test OPA Sun.


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another guy who has receive the OPA SUN tested as follows : -
---
第二位用户的反馈: a-nd 应省去中间的-

I've just received both the opa sun a-nd earth today.Right now I'm listening
to opa sun a-nd it sounds impressive!!The level of detail exceeds any other
opamp I've listened to.After the burn -in period I'll install opa earth as
well a-nd I'll give it a go.Anyway thank you very much for such a nice
experience!

This post has been edited by ccschua: Aug 14 2008, 07:25 PM