The Lampis got them, the Yggys are getting them; in fact a lot of great designs yield a smoother, more detailed sound with mods. Apart from SW updates maybe there are parts up to some tweaking. Most obvious and super easy to implement are things like upgrading the power cord, shorting unused input…

Jeff, thanks. Nice stuff, but it looks like it leaves a mess of that bismuth/tin stuff behind on the PCB. That’ll still have to be pulled off, but I guess it can be done at a lower temperature.

That’s easy to resolve. Just use solder wick, flux and some fresh silver content solder. spread flux then place solder tip on top of solder wick and move around until wick has absorbed the low temp solder. Flux again and add silver content solder. repeat. Ready for new transformers. This way on…

[image] jkrichards: The best tool is the one below however is expensive if one only rarely does this type of work. This is what I use: Yep, that’s what I use, too. :smile: But I haven’t used it yet for any large mass removals. What temp do you set it to for the MkII tranny removals?

set it to 2.5 425c. Use the large tip. (about the size of a standard round toothpick) melt, let stand for 3 seconds and then pull the trigger. gently move each pin away from the edges of the hole with your finger nail or plastic sponger tool. If one does not move, re-solder that pin and repeat t…

[image] jkrichards: Just gently spread the heatsinks slightly apart and slide the heatsink pad (for a M.2) it between the heatsinks. JK, what is this pad (do you have a link)? Is the blue stuff deviating/transmitting heat? It rather looks like annisolator or n stead of putting a copper plate …

Just thought I would share some pictures of a mod I did to my DAC and a firiend of mine. Useing some copper sheet and aluminum tape I decide to craft an enclosure for the analog board to provide some shielding as best I could from other circuits within the DAC. The result was surprisingly good. B…

Thanks for sharing this. Can you elaborate on what materials you used to craft this enclosure? Also describe what was the sonic improvement you heard? I have the APS/VOCM mod on my MK1. It’s been a fantastic upgrade, but if there is any gain left on the table, I’d love to give this a go.

What’s the blue sheet between the heatsinks? Is it isolation or heat conductive? [IMG_3090]

I don’t want to lead the conversation, I’m hoping someone else will try it and comment. I could say more, but I will start with clarity, detail and sound stage presentation. The system just seems to project the music with such ease. It’s just so comfortable to listen with all the dynamics one cou…

Modding the DirectStream DAC MKI

Audio Components DACs

tony22 August 14, 2023, 9:58pm 5689

Thanks Jeff. I’ve thus far used the Hakko only for SMD desoldering.

ISO prior owner of my modded DSD MkI

Topic		Replies	Views
Directstream Regulator question DACs	184	5123	April 26, 2022
Ultimate Directstream DACs	253	15219	November 29, 2020
DirectStream Modifications DACs	123	13178	July 16, 2015
DSD Mk1 APS modded vs DSD Mk2 APS modded DACs	94	1166	March 19, 2026
DSD MK2 Aftermarket Modifications DACs	119	5243	November 12, 2025

Modding the DirectStream DAC MKI

Related topics