Building Mini DAC TDA1543 (Part 2 Final)

The only reason why I am building this DAC is because it is simple without additional op-amp required for the output. I should admit at the first time, I not sure the sound quality of this TDA1543. I am afraid the sound are far from my expectation. But my thought is changed after I read the review from the 47 labs 4515 DAC online. They using the similar IC and the review is very promising.

Building Mini DAC TDA1543 (Part 1)

Do you curious on how simple DAC would perform? From my previous post, I'm already fall in love with the sound from my Meridian 203. The ESS Sabre 9018 also sound very good to me but for some reason, not to engaging for me. So I think I will build my personal DAC to compete with them.

B&O Beogram CDX - CD Player With Dual TDA1540 DAC

Bang & Olufsen is well known for the lifestyle audio product. They are focusing on the style and design without sacrifice the sound quality. No exception for this old CD Player. This is Beogram CDX is build around 80's. At that time, the feature such as motorized CD lit with the disc platter is very high class and stylish. I could imagine this CDP is just like automatic gull-wing door in luxury car.

DAC ESS Sabre 9018 Vs. Meridian 203

Somehow the most glorious DAC chips is only produced by Phillips on late 80's. Named it such as TDA series or SAA series like on this Meridian 203 DAC. They offering very musical sound and they are only 14 bit sampling. Unfortunately for those chips are already discontinued since long time ago. Right now, most consumer want the DAC that can support higher resolution. 24 bit is now very advance in my opinion. But somehow I think do the consumer drive the chip producer to make higher rate or the producer drive the market to consume higher rate music? Whatever it is, lets have some comparison between the old and new DAC here.

Quad 405 Amplifier Opamp Upgrade With OPA627

Continue to my restoration process of this Quad 405 amplifier in part 1 & part 2, I found that this little amplifier is a very good sounding amplifier.

I should tell you this amplifier rival, also my previous reference amplifier is the Adcom GFA-535II is easily beaten by this Quad 405 in term of everything!

Don't believe that? Me either! After I completely restored this amplifier to it's potential, then I am speechless with the result. I think the last upgrade right now is changing the op-amp to the famous OPA627 from Burr-Brown.

Let's check it out.

Adcom GFA-555 II Bias Adjustment

Adcom GFA-555 II is one of good amplifier you can buy. Just like many others amplifier designed by Nelson Pass, this amp deliver high power output on class A and the sound is clean, natural, yet dynamic. This amp is built around 90's and you still can find them in mint condition. The services that you should do at the first place is only adjusting the bias. We want this amp running optimal while still maintaining the heat on proper level.

Counter Point SA-2000 Convert To 220 Volt

The electric outlet in the United States are 110 volt and bring their domestic product to my country which is 220 volt is require the step down transformer, which somehow more complicated and dangerous if you accidentally plug in directly to the wall outlet.

Luckily most of the product are compatible with 220 volt, but need some modification for this voltage conversion. And this is how I do it on the Counterpoint SA-2000 pre-amplifier.

Indonesia Hi-end Show IHEAC 2016

IHEAC is a yearly hi-end audio show in Jakarta. In this year and mostly like yester-years, this event is held at Menara Peninsula, Jakarta on 17-20 Nov 2016. Most of the time I missed to come to this events due to lack of promotion and information from the event organizer itself. But this year, Someone told me about this events and I have to come.