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.