Low Cost, Great Sound AD1865NK DAC Build

It started when I tidied up my storage bin on last weekends, I remember that I had an unused AD1865 DAC complete board from my previous DAC project. This board is okay, I think it performed quite well at that time, but I immediately replaced it with another DAC project because my curiosity is much faster than waiting 100 hours of capacitors break-in.

So here it is, an old AD1865 DAC board with new refinement and better calculation, using all parts I have in my bin. The building cost is nothing because all the new parts are already in my hands.

Miflex MKP-14 Capacitor for Speaker Cross-over Upgrade

Continue from my previous speaker cross-over modification from -12dB to -6dB slope, I satisfy with the result and I would replace the capacitor to the better one.

I had used many high-quality capacitor on my previous project and for this cross-over capacitor component, I will prefer to use Miflex MKP-14, which not only for it's affordable price, but in my opinion, the quality is better than Jantzen Cross-cap or Mundorf MKP.

Speaker Crossover Comparison -12dB Vs. -6dB Slope

We are fully aware that the speaker is the end of every audio chains. In my experience, once I get satisfy with a pair of speaker, then it will sit there for very long time. The reason is because every speaker has their own characteristic to match with the room acoustic and personal taste. This is not easy to having the right one, and of course with affordable price.

My speakers is the 2-way system, they are consisting of 2 drivers from my local brand, SB Acoustic SB16PFC25-8 for mid-bass and SB19ST-C0004 for tweeter. I've listening to this speaker for quite long time with the -12dB crossover point, or commonly known as 2nd order slope.

They are all good, but today I want to try the -6dB crossover point.

TDA1541A-S1 DAC & Pass D1 Analog Stages

Once again, I like to have another DAC using TDA1541, because all of my previous built TDA1541 DAC already sold like hot cakes.

Same story, I missed it.

Because any DAC using TDA1541 has the magic that always keep me back again, to experience the sound quality from this marvellous DAC IC.

Today DAC build is completely different. I start with multiple power supply for each ICs voltage required, total of them are 5 individual voltages using a toroidal transformer and an EI transformer. Then going to rectifier and filtered using capacitors-resistor-capacitors to passively reduce the voltage ripples. The 10 pieces voltage regulators are used to every voltage required by every ICs pin. The signal from digital receiver to DAC IC are asynchronous re-clocking using external thermal-controlled-oscillator, then the DAC current output is converted to voltage by Pass D1 original design.

The result from this design are marvellous.

Parasound DAC-2000 Ultra Review

I am a lucky person that having this Parasound DAC-2000 Ultra today. This model is the highest grade from Parasound DAC line-up in the 90's, which using the latest 20-bit DAC module from the Ultra-analog company.

The Ultra-analog DAC module itself is one of the best DAC and can only be found inside the highest-grade DAC like this. Ultra-analog module has different approach compared to the mainstream DAC manufacturer such as Burr-brown, Analog Device, or Philips. Unlike producing an IC die, this Ultra-analog DAC is producing a module that inside it are consist of many IC's from those popular manufacture as well.

I still believe the reason why this Ultra-analog DAC comes in module is because the engineering behind it knows how the good sound should be, so they combining many IC's to make this DAC module.

So here is the Parasound DAC-2000 Ultra review with Ultra-analog DAC module inside.

Mazda Bose Subwoofer Improvement

Lately I really enjoying driving my car and doesn't think about changing anything on it, including the pre-installed OEM Bose audio system.

I know how much time consuming when install proper audio system in car and I start to avoid it as much as I can. I also know for the end result from proper aftermarket car audio system installation could be sound amazing, but listening from this OEM Bose audio system is already fulfilled my expectation.

At least for this moment:)

But something annoying me from this audio system is the bass sound. The bass impact is not deep enough, and small distortion occurs from the unwanted vibration. So, I think I need to make some improvement on this bass sector first.

What Mazda Bose Centerpoint Does to The Music?

It has been a month since I bought and use this brand-new Mazda CX-5 as my daily cars. No doubt for the car performance, this is one of the most reliable, yet very comfortable car to drive. This Mazda CX-5 is the Elite version with 2.5-liter engine and package with Bose audio system as a "bonus" features.

This is car is very interesting, I will try to explain it from my own perspectives as a casual user, especially for the Bose audio system.

Early disclaimer, I listening to this Bose audio system and in my opinion, the overall sound quality is not very special. Surprise, surprise!

The sound quality is average but for sure better than most cars with non-audio brand collaboration.

Let's deep down to it.

I Was Going Too Far with This PCM1704 DAC

I only keep few DAC's for my personal collection. They are all the best DAC I've ever built, but only one DAC that I have spending so much money on it is this PCM1704 DAC using vacuum tubes.

The building process was publish in series post here and the first upgrade was publish in here. The improvement from that upgrade was way better than the first built with many components are replaced with the boutique parts. The cost from this upgrade is expensive.

But how if I going further with changing the remaining standard industrial components with the highest-grade components as well? Will it improve the sound so much?

Let see.

The Nakamichi Dragon DAC Clone 2024 Updates

One of my reasons posting the same DAC again is because I not making new DAC anymore. I listen to the music from my digital source, with the SPDIF output, then it convert the PCM data to the analog sound by using this Nakamichi Dragon DAC clone. I like the sound so much and this might be the most expensive DAC I've ever built. It sounds so good, probably not the best, but I feel proud to having this DAC.

I guess more than three months has pass and I think I should revisit this DAC again.

Actually, I have some issue with the sound, not really major for me, but I think it is lack of the detail music presentation. Probably because of the LPF cut-off should be setting up again. I also want to have cleaner digital supply to each PCM1704 DAC IC by adding the inductors, as per original Nakamichi Dragon DAC schematic.

So here is the refinement of my Nakamichi Dragon DAC clone.

My Listening Room & Audio Setup

I haven't published any post in this new year yet because I think there are nothing worth enough to share. My last post about building a DAC that based on the Nakamichi Dragon DAC schematic is now become my currently best DAC. It is sound so good, yet the most expensive DAC I've ever built. I think this is my full stop to make any DAC again.

So in this post is just about myself, lying on my sofa while listening the music with my DIY stereo system in one fine evening, probably few days before the new year. With the borrowed camera on my hands, I try to take few pictures about all of my audio system.

I think the picture are worth to share.