Edcor XS4400
Both 1:1 and 1:2 modes were tested (see plot titles). Note the fairly significant phase shift and attenuation at 20k (-.6dB) (even without the 15nF capacitor) when wired in 1:2 mode. (MKII)
Here are the sweeps for the LL1948 transformer. The configuration is described in the notes field for each. These are the best of the three however the nickel core transformers will out perform these by a large margin.
All measurements were done with the transformer wired 1:2 (parallel primaries, series secondaries with grounded center tap). 1st one is without C704. 2nd one is with C704. Notice the high frequency, distortion, and phase change with C704 installed.
Our transformer design goal is to improve the high-frequency errors present when using both the XS4400 (mk2 DAC) and LL1948 in 1:2 mode while maintaining a low THD at low frequencies by use of a high-quality nickel core.
No ringing with the C704 using the LL1948 however the High Frequency is down almost -1.5dB at 20k. Without C704 there is HF ringing. I would say Keep the C704 in for the LL1948 even though you loose some HF (blue) and the distortion is higher at HF (red). The worst measurement is the phase error above 1k with the C704 installed. Last 2 photos under LL1948.
These issues will be addressed and corrected with our new nickel core transformers. We will recommend NOT using C704 with them.
@tedsmith Are the values correct in the opamp schematic that was posted here? We noticed a fairly aggressive 2nd order LP filter was used with the values listed. This also caused some HF phase error which I understand is normal when using these types of filters.
You shouldnât have HF loss with the VOCM mod however the bass should become tighter and more correct.
Are you sure you installed them caps with the correct polarity?
I should have been more precise regarding top end:
The thing I could compare was the XS4400 without C704 with the LL1948 with C704, R5/R6 replaced. Here the latter combination fortunately had a more open and pronounced top end, inspite of the -1,5dB C704 effect you mentioned. Probably because the LL1948 is so much better than the XS4400.
Then I had the VOCM cap built in over R6 and so far, besides bass much better, top end got a little more recessed (but I wait with final judgement as I always have big differences of burn in).
If you now say 12nF could be better, I think I wouldnât have all the soldering done again without being sure it really measures differently regarding top end. Thereâs still chance to react with cabling anyway.
But every tweak to get some better top end openness (except switching transformers once more) is welcome generally.
The caps are built in correctly as far as I saw (+ on the right).
Youâre correct, I confused values and caps in the text here (but built in correctly )
I now also got that JK means the C704 with the 12 vs 15 nF discussion.
I now listened again more in detail and discovered that I had kept a wrong speaker setting from before my holiday.
So now bass improvement is even more obvious and the top end discussion very minor, I guess it will burn in.
The bass improvement with the VOCM mod alone is absolutely essential for me, like a new DAC there. By the way it also gets little smoother in the mids, like certain tiny resonances avoided, stage bigger in all directions. But the bass, oh man, itâs crazy. There might be some who were used to the previous less controlled bass who might miss a bit, but for those with a well balanced setup, itâs a revelationâŠcanât wait until itâs burned in and I have my other treatments done againâŠwow.
But I also saw I have to take care if the DS sounds different open and closed.
W/O C704 and R6 I could not listen to the LL1948. With and a bit of breakin (yes it took like 100 hours) all is wonderful. Mr Richards knows what he is doing.
Another issue we noticed is the fact that the cobalt core LL1948 has higher distortion than the steel core XS4400. Maybe because of the small core size of the LL1948
This is the reason we are using a large nickel core in our transformer design. Itâs more expensive however we feel itâs needed in this application. It improves the high frequency issues and lowers distortion by a large amount.
Great data and thanks for sharing. What does this data tell you about using the LL1948 with the MK2 and adapter board I obtained from you? Would there be different performance in MK2. Or similar plots?
@tedsmith given your post to Jeff below regarding MK2 and Jeffâs plots:
If I were to install the LL1948s. In my MK2 would you recommend any cap installation in the now empty 22nF slots you left provisions for? If so, what type capacitor and value. Also shat are the reference designation markings on the PWB for the two empty capacitor slots?
I canât answer that. I donât have the Lundahl transformers, and I picked the output caps based on the XS4400 specs. Iâd probably use different caps for a Jensen âŠ7MPC (which I do have.) And the cap choice parameters on the Mk II are different than on the Mk I since the Mk II doesnât have series output resistors, so Mk I experience isnât directly transferable to the Mk II. The Mk II is designed for a shallower output filter than the Mk I, and hence doesnât need the final output caps as much as the Mk I.
I agree with Ted on this. After all he designed these.
You could experiment with installing some film caps inside your XLR connector as I did with the DS.
Ted (or JK), is it possible to tweak the top end frequency response (say above 10k or so) with slight variation of C704âs value or does it vary at a non audible frequency part only or is the positive effect gone, too, when the 15nF value is varied as then there is no HF filtering anymore?
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