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

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Apr 22 2008, 03:13 PM

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

This post has been edited by abel: Apr 24 2008, 01:03 PM

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






This post has been edited by abel: Apr 24 2008, 04:32 PM

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