Yes. It will be interesting to hear the results with these transformers installed in the MKII when it arrives. I hope soon.
Something else I noticed when listening to these new transformers, the DS sound more real without the HDMI i2s shorting plug installed. I am now only using the USB shorting plug.
The shorting plugs are system dependent. Different combinations produce different results.
I just listened to the new 6800pF “C704 in the cold unit out of the box and they are mandatory for the LL1948. Noticably more open top end, sounds great!
Now again the treatments to get my air back, then Bridge removed and Airlens attached and Iām done
If only Airlens would comeā¦.
Still canāt believe the bass change from the VOCM mod. All those HW changes together with the Transformers, the right C704 and the external,PSU ā¦itās really again another, much better DAC, clearly more realism and 3D, more enveloping, more open, more details, much better bass.
Thanks again to Ted, JK and all who contributed clarifying the mods here (and Paul for letting it flow)!
Donāt forget about turbotk. He is the one who first did the VOCM mod.
Actually these transformers are better than the Jensenās in this application as my son designed these specifically for our DS.
I think these would be great for the TSS however we would have to work with Ted to make them perfect for his application. Maybe even his Logo embossed in the shield
The PS Audio deal is almost over. If you can swing it, the trade in deal is hard to pass up. I have a feeling it will be unbeatable with these transformers.
Not nice to talk about your son like that⦠Unless he really did design them spastically, then heās truly remarkable!
I hate autocorrect
. I have fat fingers.
and poor eyesight.
However my ears donāt fail me.
And the embossed transformer covers are tres chic to say the least!
FYI. They are not covers.
@all with the LL1948: you REALLY need the lower 6800pF C704. It provides a certain grade of top end openness I waited for so long and didnāt have even with the XS4400 without cap.
Easily audible with every resolving cymbal playing or for example analog classical references like the Royal Ballet Gala Living Stereo (AP SACDā). Night and day for those who recognized the previous limitations.
Yes, you are absolutely right. I went back to the full VOCM - LL1948 - 6,8nF for C704 - mod some days ago and i am really satisfied. The DAC does so many things so right, quite impressive!
Unfortunately we know there is still a better solution out there, thanks to @jkrichards and his son. Better is the enemy of good, as usualā¦
So maybe it is time to get a second DS to perform the mod with the Jensen clones? Just kiddingā¦or, waitā¦2nd-hand prices droppingā¦, more offers to expectā¦, donĀ“t knowā¦, letĀ“s see. For now it is the best DAC I ever had!
No I wonāt do another transformer swap. As it is, everything made sense. The cost of all HW upgrades incl. XS4400, then Lundahl switch & Farad PSU were still below 2k in my case. In the US youād get a Mk II in exchange for another 1,5k more, which makes sense for those there who can afford. Outside the US itās different, youād have to pay a lot more for a Mk II, even if you can sell the Mk I.
Doing the Mk I mods (most did only up to the XS4400) AND buy a Mk II after that (as some did) is certainly the most money burning alternative but Iām sure they are happy, too
Yes. These DACās sound awesome. Hopefully there will always be something that will improve the sound quality of these. When there is not then itās time for a new DAC. Enjoy what you have for as long as possible. When the upgrade itch comes, itās a fairly inexpensive upgrade compared to a new DAC. A couple months ago, while listening to my DAC with the big Jensenās I thought to myself it canāt get any better. I was wrong. I can now hear better, the great work Ted did on these DS DACās in a very clear, fast and coherent way. One more step closer to realness. In fact I only did the VOCM and the new transformers along with a USB shorting plug. Anyone with a stock unit, I feel this is all you need. The other mods make no or little difference with these transformers.
Anyone want some big Jensen transformers? I guess I will have to use them in the studio for instrument isolation. I wish I had all the money I have spent on upgrades over the past decade.
Enjoy.
Just to.noteā¦over the weekend I might think to go to 7800pF at the endā¦will see if the 6800pF is a tad too much after some longer listening. But itās interesting how much we hear whatās over 15k, although Iām quite sure I actually donāt hear it anymore
Are you saying that you donāt need the external analog power supply upgrade with your new transformers?
No. I said this.
Ok, but the 1,5 dB at 20k from 15nF to 6.8nF were very noticeable. So you think the 1 dB difference over 20k are definitely not audible anymore?
I even wondered that the first change was so huge and didnāt expect to hear it. Probably itās so obvious because it also has some effect down to below 15k. So somewhere between 6.8nF and 15nF there must still be differences, as 15nF is clearly limited sounding and 6,8nF is very open sounding.
I assume, as we know from CDsā āperfect sound foreverā, what happens over 20k, although not audible, has some effect below? I donāt believe I actually hear over 15k but I donāt know.
The change would not be 1dB. More like .4dB at 30K rise then a sharp drop at 40K instead of a sharp drop at 25K