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Post by tszhfung on Dec 3, 2010 13:27:24 GMT -5
With quite a few XDA-1 already out in users' hands, has anyone taken a look inside yet?
According to the pictures on the web site, the I/V conversion opamp is an 8 pin PDIP package in a socket!!! This will facilitate easy opamp rolling. I want to confirm that this is the case with the final production unit.
Personally, my XDA-1 is arriving next week and I have already ordered some BB OPA627 and some Browndog adapters to play with. I will run the unit stock for a while to get a feel of the sound with the OPA2134 before I swap things in.
Mike
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Dec 3, 2010 14:21:44 GMT -5
Not to derail things, but I have been considering rolling my ONIX CD-88 with the with the BD adaptors and the 627s. Where did you pick them up and did you get a good price? PM me if you wouldn't mind. I would also be interested to see if the OPAMPs are socketed, mine hasn't arrived yet or I would have a look myself.Update: It just came - no sockets, that I could see.  Now I know virtually nothing about electronics, but I think they would be pretty obvious. looked on the website and did not see any indication of sockets, either. Where did you see the picture you refer to? |
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Post by tszhfung on Dec 3, 2010 15:48:05 GMT -5
I don't have a photo editing tool handy to circle the ICs in the picutre. Under the product page, there is a photo of the inside of the DAC. The two opamps are right in the middle of the PCB, they are the 8 pin devices one on top of each other. I thought I see they have sockets underneath them. May be I am wrong on this. I just want to verify.
Mike
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Post by razel on Dec 3, 2010 16:49:39 GMT -5
It doesn't look like it. If there is a socket, there should be a black border around it for the plastic holder. However, I'd LOVE to be wrong.
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Post by tszhfung on Dec 3, 2010 17:26:49 GMT -5
Alright, looks like I will have to install a socket there before I do my opamp swaps  Mike |
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fx20
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Post by fx20 on Dec 3, 2010 21:42:00 GMT -5
Alright, looks like I will have to install a socket there before I do my opamp swaps Mike This sounds interesting. Would you mind show us how do it? Perhaps post one or two pictures. |
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spork
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Post by spork on Dec 3, 2010 22:03:09 GMT -5
You would have to desolder the opamps from the PCB and then solder in a socket in their place in which to place the opamps into. This would almost certainly void the warranty, however. Alright, looks like I will have to install a socket there before I do my opamp swaps Mike This sounds interesting. Would you mind show us how do it? Perhaps post one or two pictures. |
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mobileusa
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Post by mobileusa on Dec 6, 2010 19:24:41 GMT -5
Burson HD Audio Opamps
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Post by rockguitar on Dec 6, 2010 20:22:20 GMT -5
My personal take is that the OPA2134 is a pretty good component, especially since there is only one used for I/V conversion and that's the only use for the op amp in this DAC. Most of the times you see people swapping out the op-amps is for more critical applications, such as the output stage of the DAC or in a preamp. The XDA already uses a discrete output stage, i.e. no op amps in that stage, and thus any improvement should be minimal IMHO. However, if you want to swap out the opamp for the I/V conversion, the following thread discussed many different op amps for that purpose, including the OPA2604. I would look to see what they recommend. www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/34324-best-opamp-i-v-conversion-dac.html |
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Post by tszhfung on Dec 9, 2010 16:56:21 GMT -5
I received the XDA1 on Monday and confirmed that the opamps are not in sockets  I will probably install a couple sockets and try out different opamps after I get used to the new sound. Will update everyone on my comparison when available. Mike |
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Post by phyzar on Dec 10, 2010 7:50:49 GMT -5
Hi together, i will roll some opamps too. I ordered dual OPA627AU on adapters, dual AD797BR on adapters and i have Burson HD Audio Opamps. Precision 8 pin DIP sockets are ordered too. I don´t expect too much of it, because the quality of these Opamps depends very much on the surrounding circuit and that is matched for the OPA2134. I hope the AD797BR will be stable, it is used in the AD1955 reference circuit and is one of the best Opamps built at the moment. I will do A/B comparisons to an unmodded XDA-1 to keep the voodoo out of the door  Cheers Wieland |
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Post by tszhfung on Dec 10, 2010 12:43:38 GMT -5
Hi Wieland,
Looks like you will get your comparison done before I do since I have a couple more projects ahead of this one.
Please keep us posted on your results.
Mike
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Dec 10, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Please be aware of one item using sockets.
In a number of audio DIY project that supply a PCB as part of the project, I have seen a warning to NOT USE SOCKETS because of the possible introduction of oscillations into the circuit.
Just a FYI!
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Now I know virtually nothing about electronics, but I think they would be pretty obvious. looked on the website and did not see any indication of sockets, either. Where did you see the picture you refer to?
