Been busy today.
Box full of Gems.
9 Likes
Hi Ted.
Iâm having trouble with the capacitance conversion for C5 = 27nF. Is it 0.027 uF?
The description is Film Capacitors 0.027uF 50VDC 2% PPS FILM 1210.
My C5 looks like the picture so I think it should be replaced.
-Alan
Yes, a nanofarad (nF) is a 1000th of a microfarad (uF).
2 Likes
True however it turns out the core is just too small for our DS to perform at its best. After many hours of research, we discovered the DS sounds and measures best with a large core.
This doesnât mean they are not a good transformer, Just not the best design for our DS. After all there are not many choices for high performance off the shelf transformers and the LL1948 was the best choice at the time and still sounds very good with the correct filter cap.
3 Likes
OK, I think I have the whole enchilada going now.
APS Nickel transformers
VOCM mod
USB shorting plug
HDMI shorting plug
Have an aftermarket fuse.
Just picked up a used @jkrichards External power controller board from a fellow forum member and I installed it tonight.(Installed easily and well designed).
Got a Zerozone external LPS. (Build quality looks great by the way)
Made up the correct umbilical cord cable termination ends.
It all powers up as it should. LOL.
I canât listen to music as everybody is asleep right now.
The APS transformers/VOCM mod upgrade is well described. It is killer. Have had that burning in off and on a couple weeks now.
Stupid question- what exactly does the External LPS for the DSD analog board do for overall sound in peopleâs experience?
Will be able to listen tomorrow.
2 Likes
I couldnât tell any difference whether powered internally or externally FWIW. Others report an improvement using external power 
1 Like
Adding the external power supply added a sense of space and general âcalmnessâ to the sound. It took an already excellent DAC to a new level.
Adding the APS transformers and the VCOM mod took it to world class!
2 Likes
With the VOCM mod and nickel transformers the external power makes less of a difference in sound quality however it keeps the heat out of the DS. Since we are using a 1:2 transformer the internal 12v heatsink gets very hot. The external power takes care of this extra heat.
1 Like
Is it Ok to leave both the external power supply and the DSD on?
Yes⌠I leave mine on 24/7and just âdimâ the display from the remote so the display only turns on with a button press fo ether the remote or DS.
1 Like
With the Farad Super 3 I heard more palpable imaging, air, little better controlled, faster bass and little cleaner sound. Those differences were smaller than those of the transformers and the VOCM mod, but contributed to the overall improvement. If you donât use the external PSU with a fully modded Mk I, youâll certainly hear the difference most.
1 Like
Well, have it fired up this morning and it all works flawlessly.
As for the sound- it was already excellent.
The black background and purity of sound is ridiculous.
Overall the control that this modded DAC has over whatever source material you feed it is really impressive.
It never strains.
Thanks to all for the creativity in figuring out all of these mods over the past couple years to an already very good DAC.
6 Likes
Ted, sorry to come back to the subject so late, but I want to try with another linear source on the analog board and I would like to know what the minimum and maximum margin of tolerance that the board accepts.
I thank!
1 Like
I assume you are talking about an external power supply?
Nominal 12VDC. You can go a little lower, maybe 11.5VDC and a little higher, maybe 12.5VDC. Any extra voltage over 12VDC will be burned off as heat and wonât better the sound quality. The real thing to optimize is the noise on the 12VDC.
2 Likes
JK, for those of us that donât have the analog board but do have the new transformers, can you or anyone suggest a way to dissipate the added heat you mentioned in your post⌠perhaps an added heat sink or ??? Looking longer term to added heat and longevity of the Dac.
Thanks
Minor follow up to my post about adding the External power supply board and LPS.
It is subtle enhancement after the Transformer and VOCM mod, but there is noticeable increase in hearing space and the reverb in the recording room mix and the actual acoustic quality of instruments (acoustic bass, semihollow guitar, piano, horns, drums).
Makes it very realistic on the 50âs and 60âs jazz material I listen to.
Adding more heat sinks wonât do anything useful. The internal heat is only 5 or so deg.F hotter then with a 1:1 transformer. The internal temperature gets to around 50c which it totally fine. An external supply is the only way to move the heat from the inside to the outside
What are you charging for your transformers? And what is their availability?
1 Like
Are you using Sunlight in the DSD thatâs being displayed at Axpona? Pops?
1 Like
Random question, apologies in advance.
Modded my DS1 with Edcor TXâs, JKâs power board with Farad 3 external psu.
RFI treatments and proper isolation as well.
Thought I was done, but the VCOM mod keeps coming up?
Not been on this thread for a while (thought i was done modding!) but to save my sanity searching, is there a a clear set of threads I could refer my Tech to, for him to replicate the mod?
Thanks in advance.
Gaz.
1 Like