The Nakamichi Dragon DAC Clone Updates

This is the post I made for closing this year.

Such a beautiful years with lot of new experienced especially when I made a DAC with the vintage multibit DAC IC.

The latest DAC I made is a clone from Nakamichi Dragon DAC and I named it "the Dragon DAC". The overall result is surprisingly good and I can now stop thinking about building another new DAC with new concept using the vintage multibit DAC since all of them are already done.

This post is just an update from my previously built, the Dragon DAC, with some components added and changes for the sake of an improvement.

Building Process Nakamichi Dragon DAC Clone

If someone asking me about what is my dream for the vintage multibit DAC to own is for sure the Nakamichi Dragon DAC.

Anyone who doesn't know the original Nakamichi brand is a company that specialized in the high fidelity audio product and they are all made in Japan. Unlike today Nakamichi which already bought by the Asian company and they missing it's original culture.

The Nakamichi Dragon is the highest level of audio product and the DAC in this Dragon line-up is the limited edition product with ultimate price tag to own.

Don't expect me to buy it, I guess I better make it by my own:)

DAC2000 Build With AD1865 DAC

The curiosity I got from studying the DAC2000 schematic that I previously post are on the analog stages.

Although this analog stage is quite common for the third pole LPF, but the specific resistors value become the key factor for the overall LPF slope result. The goal for a better LPF calculator is we want the slope of the LPF as linear as possible because it reflect to the sound quality.

That is why I want to make the same DAC2000 but with some changes, especially on the DAC section that will be using AD1865.

So let's continue.

Elektor Electronics Magazine DAC2000 Article Review

In November 1999, Elektor Electronics magazine released a series articles about the building process of their state of the art multibit DAC using PCM1704.

They named it DAC2000.

This is quite spectacular because at that time, almost everything named with 2000. It is the new millennium and if you lived at that era you can feel the hype that everyone are excited to welcoming the year 2000.

But how good is the DAC2000?

We are two decades ahead but why I still digging out this ancient vintage multibit DAC article?

Seriously?!

Non-oversampling PCM63 DAC

When I was build a DAC using PCM63, it always in the oversampling method using SM5813 IC. The reason is simply I was comfortable with this design and it is guarantee to work very well.

But I often think if I can try in the non-oversampling method with this specific DAC. Probably because in my experience with the good non-oversampling DAC build, the sound characteristic are more natural. This issue is always keep rolling in my head if this non-oversampling PCM63 can outperform the previous oversampling DAC build or not?

So here it is, the non-oversampling PCM63 DAC building process.

Schiit Bifrost 1 DAC Tear Down

In this post, I will going to disassembly the original Schiit Bifrost to see what components inside. The unit that I got here is a broken unit. I was told from the seller that the unit is broken during courier delivery which the power transformer is pulled out from the main board. So I bought it for cheap then I repair it while checking the components inside.

Previously I was disassembly the Schiit Bifrost 2 which are promoted as a multibit DAC. It use dual 18 bit AD5781 DAC from Analog Device which is so much different with the first original Bifrost here using 32 bit AKM AK4399EQ Delta Sigma DAC.

The similarity between the original Bifrost and the Bifrost 2 DAC is both utilized the modular design, separate between the main board and the daughter boards on top of it.

Let's get started.

Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC Tear Down

Although I am a DAC builder, I strongly not recommend anyone who are love to hear the music with their equipment trying to heat up their soldering iron and start to build one. Because making a working DAC is simple but making a good sound quality DAC is far difficult than you might think.

Thankfully, without any trouble to built a vintage multibit DAC for your own, Schiit audio already make a DAC named Bifrost 2. It is considerably an affordable modern multibit DAC that having the sound signature of the vintage multibit DAC. It sound pretty good indeed. I have review it and compare to my DAC built here and I wish you visit it again.

So in this post, let's see what components that Schiit audio use on their Bifrost 2 DAC.

Vintage Multibit R2R DAC Build Guide

In the past 2 years, I was focus on the vintage multibit DAC (Digital to Analog Converter). I think all popular vintage multibit DAC IC has been use in my DAC project built. Those built are various in many different approach for each DAC section, solely to find what is the best variation among them.

I really like the sound characteristic coming from the vintage multibit DAC. For the example a complete audio system can be optimized in the sound quality by using a better source (media player). This what I found when I was a kid playing around making my own amplifier and speakers but when the same setups are using, and then I only changed the source from cassette tape to CD player, the sound quality was improving so much. The reason was because of the CD player specification are far superior than cassette tape. That finding was shocking me and then I keep continue to do the audition from many kind CD player that they are actually sound different one to another. Lately I was aware that the good sound quality CD player are mostly depend on what DAC use inside.

The vintage multibit DAC is an old technology. The latest is Delta Sigma DAC or anything they called it Bit-stream or 1 bit DAC are comes after it. Delta Sigma DAC is intended to contend the tolerance issue and the expensive production process of the vintage multibit DAC. But it cannot deliver the music lively compare to the vintage multibit DAC that sound more like human and musical. My love to the vintage multibit DAC are simply not for any nostalgic reason at all. I tried to convinced myself about today Delta Sigma DAC are better, but again, they never satisfy me to fulfilled my listening pleasure especially for realistic music performance experience.

In this post, I will explain my experience when building vintage multibit DAC.

Hope you enjoy this post and happy reading:)

My "Secret" DAC Reveal

Few month ago, I post my DAC project called "the secret" DAC and the first project is post in here.

The term of "secret" is actually the components are hidden inside the copper shield, so it cannot be seen from the outside. It is not only for aesthetic layout but the copper shield helps the DAC inside to immune to any noise interfere.

The second project is post in here. This is a fully remake DAC, using the same chassis but the components inside are all changed. This is because most of my friends that become the reviewer of this DAC doesn't really like the sound from the first one.

The second version of this DAC is become a better sounding DAC than the first one and I think I better reveal what inside those secret DAC.

Vacuum Tube Non-oversampling PCM1704 DAC Components Upgrade

From my previous DAC project, I was working on my non-oversampling PCM1704 DAC using the Zen IV. It is a pair of 2SK170 and 2SJ74 JFET transistor per channel as a DAC IV converter. It is a good sounding DAC but still, in my opinion, DAC using vacuum tube at the output give more life to the music.

In contrast, if compare to the super accuracy of the op-amps or the neutral sound of the Zen IV, I prefer this PCM1704 DAC using vacuum tube at the output. It make the sound beautiful.

This PCM1704 DAC built here is using resistors as the IV converter. Then the vacuum tube multiple the gain output up to 10 times, so the voltage output are around 2 volt.

It is sound great and lots of potential to upgrade the components inside especially for the IV resistor and the capacitors output.

Audio Art 100MS Car Amplifier

I take a break from my home audio for awhile and look what I got here.

The Audio Art 100MS car amplifier.

This is a sound quality car amplifier that very famous in early 90's along with others brand such as Monolithic amplifier, Linear Audio, Soundstream, A/D/S and many more. Perhaps you never heard this name yet, but we are that growth in the era of 80's and 90's are praised with this amplifier above all the major brand like Sony, Alpine or Pioneer.

So let's take a look in detail.

OPA1622 Vs. OPA627 High Performance Op-amps Comparison

This op-amps comparison topic is actually boring, but at the same time, many of us still curious about what others think about it. The reason is simply because of the op-amps variation are hundreds and they are depends by the implementation.

The op-amps are considerably cheap and an interchangeable electronic components but they are not built for the same function. So in this discussion, I will focus on the modern Vs. vintage high performance op-amps in the simple non-inverting pre-amplifier gain stage.

Mauro Penasa My Ref LM3886 Amplifier Build

This Mauro Penasa LM3886 amplifier is not typical Gainclone amplifier because it is not what it is.

This amplifier is published over 10 years ago and the designer name is Mauro Penasa. He was mimicking and redesigning this amplifier from his nostalgic good sounding vintage amplifier, the Musical Fidelity A370 amplifier.

If you read his design notes, he was really like the A370 amplifier so much and he think that today amplifier is not as good as it. The sound of A370 can only be compete with most linear class A amplifier that inefficient, hot, and heavy. That is why he redesign the A370 but using LM3886 IC for more economical approach. This LM3886 act as current pump and the op-amp is LM318 act as voltage gain.

Yes, it is using op-amp, same like the original design as well. The goal for this amplifier is like having a good class A sounding amplifier with the efficiency of class AB just like the A370 original design.

This amplifier is quite famous in DIY audio for years and I will try to build it now.

PCM1704 DAC Power Supply Upgrade

This post is the update from my PCM1704 DAC built.

As I always mentioned that a DAC will sound good if it is feed with a good power supply as well. It is all begin with the power transformer, regulator circuitry, the capacitors around it and the components layout. It will bring significant improvement to the DAC sound quality.

In this post, I will upgrade my previous PCM1704 DAC built with better transformer and I will make a small change to the power supply layout as well.

PCM1704 DAC Build

I still have several PCM1704 U-J DAC IC taken from the Pioneer unit here, so I think I will use a pair of it to make another DAC again.

As usual, this DAC build will never be the same like my previous built.

Lately I prefer the sound from the non-oversampling DAC and this will be in my first list when making a new DAC. The input will using the SPDIF because this is the only input that I feel more convenience since all my digital source support this input as well. The schematic will be the same like my previous PCM1704 DAC built here which is the same as the schematic on pavouk.org website.

The key difference is only on the analog stages after the current output from PCM1704 DAC.

Let's get started.

Sennheiser HD800 Was My Dream Headphone

I am quite remember many years ago when the first time I saw the advertisement flyer contain of the Sennheiser HD800 headphone, it instantly blew me away by just looking to the design. This is an expensive headphone that cost US$1,500. At that time, I believe this would be the best headphone in the world.

Ever since, the HD800 is become my dream headphone, until I got it on my hands right now.

But will this headphone fulfilled my long audiophile dream?

Let's continue.

Troubleshoot STAX SRM1 MK2 Professional & Lambda Headphone Driver Unit

When you hear the name STAX headphone amplifier, first things comes in mind is the electrostatic headphone which is made in Japan and expensive.

It is all make sense since STAX never selling their unit cheap, same with many of the Japanese product as well.

Speaking for the STAX headphone amplifier, I have one long time ago here, but the entry level STAX headphone amplifier and I can say it sound really good. The sound is so much open, larger soundstage, so much detail and very natural music presentation. I may called it the STAX sound signature.

But if I get a cheap old STAX headphone amplifier that intended use for the professional, will it sound better then what I have before?

Before jump to that conclusion, lets see the unit that I just got here first.

Pioneer Premier DEQ P9 Components Inside

For me, this is a quite surprise when I bought this used Pioneer Premier DEQ P9.

The Premier name is actually a Japanese version of the Pioneer car audio. The DEQ P9 I bought here is a stand-alone DSP and an universal digital preamplifier for high-end car audio. It is released on early year 2000 and it came from the Pioneer ODR family which the name ODR is the optical digital connection between the receiver unit. This DEQ P9 is intended to pair with the Pioneer DEX-P9 as an complete high-end car audio package.

I bought this unit quite cheap for one reason.

Let's take a look inside first.

Revisiting TDA1541 Ultimate DAC

My last post about the components upgrade of TDA1541 USB DAC was give me a surprised sound quality result. But it is not mine anymore. You can check to the previous post in here.

Long story short, this is started when someone contact me and because he is following my blog for some years and want to try my DAC built. He really interested with it and the conversation end up with a deal for the TDA1541 USB DAC. Then he got the DAC and amazed on how good is the sound from this vintage multibit DAC.

I am happy with that.

He like it and that DAC break the dogma for the vintage multibit DAC sound slow, boring and mellow.

Then he requested me to upgrade some components that I had posted before. The sound quality after the upgrade is in my opinion way better.

After that, I felt something missing.

I want to hear the sound from the TDA1541 DAC again.

So, this what I did.

TDA1541 USB DAC Components Upgrade

Previously, I had built a USB DAC using TDA1541A S1 and GIC LPF here and I think this is the best implementation of TDA1541 DAC IC I've ever made.

The TDA1541 DAC in general, sound more focus on mid-range and I never thought that my TDA1541 DAC built can sound dynamic, open and details.

Then, I curious what improvement that could be made for this DAC to sound even better.

So in this post, I will try to replacing few components to the higher grade and let's see if this upgrade are worth for every money spent.

The ACA - Amp Camp Amplifier Built

The ACA amplifier was initially designed for beginner in DIY audio so they can start to build a discrete class A amplifier. And because of this reason, so the components and the design should be as simple as possible. This simple approach always shared the same philosophy as the designer itself, the Nelson Pass who own the Pass Labs and the First Watt.

The ACA amplifier is using only 2 transistor in the signal path. The JFET for voltage amplifier and MOSFET for current amplifier. Interestingly this amplifier can be powered with a pair of SMPS laptop power supply.

I heard from others that have tested it, this amplifier sound great.

So, since I already have the ACA PCB on hands, why don't I start building this amplifier?

I am also a beginner:)

Updates For The "Secret" DAC Built

My "secret" DAC built was returned to me awhile ago. Probably less than a month since it having a tour to several houses to get an audition.

As you might know the reason I built this "secret" DAC is to gets what people thinks about the sound quality without knowing anything for what the DAC use inside. Because the perception can be ruin the objective judgement and I don't want that.

The result from each auditor still vary, one might say this DAC sound very good in the mid-range but lacks of high frequency details and he wondering if the sound-stage can be improve, then this might be another great DAC.

The others said this DAC is having inconsistency sound quality level, depends on the music played or even depends on what the next system are hook into it.

And the others cannot use it at all since he only have an optical output from the source. Sad.

The "Secret" DAC Built

With all DAC's I built so far, I think I will full stop to making another one.

I said the same statement a year ago but somehow I always break it again.

The reason is simply building a DAC with my method is so much fun. I got full of flexibility to realized my idea especially when designing the PCB with the components in it, then building it on the fry. Of course the calculation and the layout preparation is should done before the built.

The result of all my DAC built are simply great.

So like in this post, the recent DAC that I was built is will be my last DAC, hopefully:)

I call it a "secret DAC"

Just for fun.

Modern Multibit DAC Vs. Vintage Multibit DAC Sound Quality

The story behind this comparison was started several months ago when I bought the Fiio X7 Mark-2 for my own. That purchased was initially to use the Fiio X7 as digital transport only. I will using the SPDIF output and connect it to my DAC.

Then, I become curious because the DAC inside the Fiio X7 is a modern delta sigma DAC and I aware that the Fiio X7 model is the highest grade of the Fiio digital player line up.

With the analog line out from the Fiio X7 directly connect to my amplifier, then I make a comparison with the same whole audio setup but only changing the DAC to the vintage multibit DAC I had.

It doesn't take so much time to conclude that the vintage multibit DAC sound better, more musical, textured and wonderful. While on the modern delta sigma DAC like in the Fiio X7 is not sound bad at all, but it is more likely a digital sound compare to the musical multibit DAC sound.

You can read again the post about that comparison here

My curiosity getting bigger since then, especially the sound for the modern multibit DAC.

So in this post I will share my experience when listening to the Schiit Bifrost 2 multibit DAC and compare it to the vintage multibit DAC.

A Colorful DAC Photo Show

From the past few months, I made several DAC's using small and compact size chassis.

I put colorful paint on the top of the cover and they looks delicious like biscuits. While they are very tempting to see and touch, the sound quality of each DAC are also amazing.

So in this post is just a photo show about all three DAC's align together.

AD1862 DAC Built - Actually It Is A Rebuilt

In the year 2021, I built AD1862 DAC here

I only published it once and then I never post anything about it again. I guess this is quite unfair for such this good DAC IC not having a good publicity in my blog.

The story when I bought this DAC IC is quite miracle. At that time, I take so much time by searching the next DAC candidate for my DAC built and end up with this AD1862. Suddenly one of my friend offering me to dismantle his hi-end CD Player and the brand is Esoteric. Inside it, there are 4 pieces of AD1862 J grade.

So in this post, I will rebuilt my previous AD1862 DAC to become more compact with smaller chassis.

Let's start the process.

Parallels AD1865 DAC Built

This is a welcoming post in this year 2023.

During the last year holiday, which is last week, I spent lot of my time at home, tidy up my working space especially my desk for doing this electronic hobby.

I guess I will not make any DAC anymore. It is enough and I have experienced all kind popular vintage multibit DAC ever. But, somehow I still have a piece of AD1865 lying on my drawer unused.

And this how the idea of paralleling AD1865 DAC is came from.

Here it is.