Wow... look at all those green caps...

Chua, those are bypass caps? They're too large to fit under board that's why you extended the leads?

Wow... that is one "Keng" mod! 2 Scud missiles!

But Abel, I think that should be the best way to add a Valve Buffer, instead of putting it as a separate device. Wah... so many mods... donno what to do now...

If you bought the USB to Digital converter from GodLuv, that is a Coax connection.

PC/Notebook USB -> USB Cable -> Converter -> Coax Cable -> Zero.

All the connections are unique so it's not possible for you to mix it up.

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Added on November 28, 2008, 11:21 amChua, you replaced the 4 Elna?

BTW, let me know how much I owe you for the green caps and how to arrange to collect them when you receive them.

What is this BU2 that you're ordering?

Thx

This post has been edited by RAV4: Nov 28 2008, 11:21 AM

Aiya, I was too busy to come in to check and missed the BU part. Guess I'll have to wait till your next upgrade Chua. I really have a lot of catch up to do. Hope the year end holiday season will give me the required time to sit down and do the moddings.

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Added on December 3, 2008, 4:59 pmBTW, I've been running in my second Zero in the office. Even though this unit also have the transformer hum, at least office is too noisy to hear it instead of at home.

My mini review on second unit:

Setup is Notebook -> HA Mini USB to Digital Coax converter -> Zero -> headphone out with adapter -> Altec Lansing 2.1 multimedia speaker.

Initially, it sounded clearer than direct notebook out but bass was hard and boomy and top end treble was harsh.

Between 50-60 hours, the clarity suddenly kicked in and everything sounded more detailed. The bass is smoother without boom and the soundstage opened up.

After 100 hours, clarity continue to improve. Details of instruments and vocal is very apparent. Soundstage is wider than before!

After 200 hours, clarity is almost silky smooth. Excellent details and separation. Bass is tight and low and the soundstage... they went beyond the speakers. Hard to believe such sound coming from RM149 2.1 multimedia speakers. OK, surely my first Zero with Earth OPAMP is a bigger improvement but as it is, the sound quality is much better than the Creative external processor that my friend has, which cost more than the Zero.

My colleague just bought the Klipsch GMX A-2.1 which are very good speakers and compared to my system, the clarity is almost on par but the Zero has better details, separation and soundstage. Bass obviously lost to Klipsch since it has a much bigger driver and an amp that's 3x more powerful.

Bottom line? Improving your source can make a huge difference in SQ and Zero can definitely give you that. For the price, it's a big improvement.

Next, I'm gonna swap in my 827 to compare, and then to 627.

This post has been edited by RAV4: Dec 3 2008, 04:59 PM

Yeah, I'm doing a proper burn in with my second unit so I can hear the difference as time goes. Was not able to do that with the first unit. I will move to discreet OPAMP once I'm done with the 827 -> 627.

Ahh, don't have to touch the board. Looks like I will do the buffer mod before I add the caps! Hehe...
Oh, so the output bypasses the board's circuit? Ooooo.... I can't wait for them to arrive... this should be another jump in improvement since Lampizator considers the Zero's output stage to be low grade. Thanks for sharing this upgrade Chua!

Yeah, the green sausages are connected in parallel so bypass is more a coin word but it's technically wrong.

Abel, so what you're saying is "decoupling" is an easier way to upgrade but it's still best to replace the cap?

Chua busy with buffer stage mod.

Chua, I remember that you were using the SoundStage 1.5 valve amp. How do you like it? Saw someone selling a used unit for RM500, which is quite tempting.

Chua, already PM you... waiting for your reply actually.

Hi Chua, I only have an old entry range Senn... and I left my headphones adapter in the office so can't use also. Looks like it's just collect... unless you have the adapter and you don't mind using an old Senn.

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Added on December 11, 2008, 11:52 pmSunway Lagoon? Let me buy you coffee for your trouble, Chua.

This post has been edited by RAV4: Dec 11 2008, 11:52 PM

Will be there Chua. And some coffee if you have time. Have you completed your mod yet?

Chua, does it make a difference by changing the location of the ground from chassis to screw tap? The whole chassis is grounded anyway no?

Chua, Able & Steve, too bad my baby's not well. Would have been great to join your jam session and hear the differences! Now, we are waiting anxiously to hear your reviews. How did the DAC100 measure up? Have Steve given up and decided to join the CD63 gang? Should I start looking for one too??? Updates Please!!!

CHUA, Franken Zero as in your unit with the Buffer Stage mod still lost out to DAC100? Hmmmm......

OK, what was the transport used for the Zero? CD63 or DVD player or Laptop via digital converter?

STEVE, thanks for your advice! I could have ended up with an Aego if you didn't tell me to stick with separates. Now I have to think of what amp to get.

ABEL, wah.... strong selling on CD63... 1 Penang fella just sold a KI at rm400.

THANKS for your feedback GUYS! Very informative! But a bit more headache for me...

Wow, you upgraded to AudioSpace? Expensive stuff!