Of the Inakustik and Supra, which is your favourite?

I've been playing around with reclockers for a while as well. Initially I put a cheap(ish) Oehlbach Masterclock between my computer and DAC and it did have some effect. I changed the clock inside it to a Crystek CCHD-575 and noticed two things: 1. New clocks need to be burned in and 2. It...

The output of the dac (analog) was sampled and inverted. That's where his files came from. There is a certain degree of sampling error to this but it is small. Also, the summed output to zero still relies on a reference cable (in his case, the generic one). Being close to zero only means the...

That's a great video. It perfectly demonstrates that usb cables makes a difference and whilst it might not simply be power supplies causing it, it's obviously an analog domain phenomenon which means it's most probably related to the connected grounds and every component that operates off that.

Your concept of this is incorrect. The change of sound by the cable does not come from a change in data received. Although usb audio is asynchronous meaning that any incorrect or distorted data that makes it to the receiving dac cannot be corrected, the mechanism for digital data transmission is...

I was very disappointed with the dark sound when I first installed it, so much so I wanted to return it but not being in the US and bought on close out, I reckoned the hassle wouldn't be worth it. I'm so glad I didn't send it back. I ended up putting it on the upstream connection of a hub for...

I think it's a bit harsh to call them thin which is why I used 'lean' before but there's definitely a bit of weight that's missing when compared to the venom. For example, piano strokes sound like they've got more weight behind them, gives it a more dynamic feel and more range. Best thing about...

The venom is significantly fuller, literally the volume is louder. With the Neotech you can try to turn up the volume to level match but it is still much thinner, like the density isn't there. Still a very enjoyable cable though and not expensive. I use neotech diy signal cables throughout...

Another vote for the Neotech 1020. I had been using it for 5 years before switching to the original Shunyata Venom which was on sale due to discontinuation. I paid around $150 I think from cable co. It's an excellent cable if you can still get your hands on a pair but takes absolutely ages to...

Wrong insertion will kill it. There should be a notch where pin 1 is.

Confirmed works with iPad with usb c. Actually, the sound quality I've got from these phones is best using the iPad or Mac via usb. It's very mediocre with wired and BT on android phones. I'm not sure what's up with that. Overall, even with usb it's a very average sounding pair of...

A very similar, dare I say probably exact, discrete dac has been used in the new Teac UD-701. Many Esoteric implementations have been used in Teac’s. The USB controllers for instance are exactly the same board. Granted, the dac and other parts are often simplified designs in the Teac versions.

I use Nichicon KW for power supply but the config I have now runs quite hot, not sure if it’s all the discrete op amps I’ve put in which I think are mainly class A biased, so KA might be the better option with the higher temperature rating. once you start changing caps there will be profound...

Replacing the output caps on the voltage regulators has a big impact on the sound. I originally replaced with elna simlic but sounded too thick and dark (heavy bass and muted treble) so I got rid of all caps on regulator outs by using discrete regs from new class d. Not cheap though.

well done with the transformer! Good thing it was readily available. I emailed the service center (third party outsourced) here in the uk and they said it was unavailable. nichicon are good. I used them for the power caps as well. Just put a screwdriver to the white glue. Comes off quite...

try ordering that part from teac? what does it do, btw?

I don’t know what that is. Didn’t realise there was a transformer there. That could be a show stopper. I’m pretty sure the jumper settings only change the windings to the main torroids. you might have to buy a part from teac.

I’ve taken this from page one of this thread. Red: audio output caps Yellow: op amps Blue: voltage regulator caps Green: power reservoir/smoothing caps Purple: pcb with jumper settings as it’s a dual mono design, it costs twice as much to change anything. The pics only show one channel.

That's easy. Follow where the mains power goes through to the PCB (got that big filter on it) and there's three pairs of through holes for 3 different voltages. 100, 120, and 230V. Use 5mm jumper wire to bridge your desired voltage, and cut the 100V wire. Just look at the main PCB for any...

i’m familiar with the circuit. Is there anything specific you want to know?

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a pair of dual vivid V6 op-amps just before Christmas last year which I installed into my Teac UD-501. It’s been a few years since I’ve done anything to it as I’ve been happy with the sound from the Sparko op-amps I’ve been using but it’s still a very good...

If i recall correctly, there is a physical jumper wire hardwired on. You'd have to remove and solder a wire in the adjacent hole.

I'm using sparko's in my teac ud-501, you'll find a review compared to the v5 here somewhere. The sparko's are very nice - good bass, nice treble, good dynamics and detail, good soundstage - it's a good balance between musical and analytical. However, when the v5 was working it performs at...

let us know how that goes and whether the UK customs get their grubby hands on import tax.

i'd be interested to know as well. Do these ladder dacs actually sound distinctly different to chip dacs like those mentioned above? Does anyone even know what type of analog ouptut stage is used as this would have a big effect on sound as well.