THE ORRONOCO AUDIO DIY

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 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:)

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.

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.

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, esp...

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.

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.