Updates on My Systems TDA-1305 DAC SMPS

Most readers of this weblog arrive through a Google Search. Of these, a quantity have change into common readers, and so they after all are of most curiosity to me, like household, They determine with our strategy and values. Not solely that, a sub-fraction imagine the satan is within the particulars (certainly) and typically, like household, scrutinize each phrase (I can inform from a number of the feedback) and even pic. Sometimes I cowl my journey in nice element, which I do know is of no use to most individuals, however I believe fascinating to those readers who wish to mine the wonderful strains. So, it is time to inform you of a number of the modifications right here in my system. In a very powerful methods, configuration and most gear have stayed kind of the identical as in my Mid-Trajectory article (for those who take a look at the pic of system then, it is not so totally different from now, prime pic)

Now, ever for the reason that Beydas “Stirling” LS3/5a‘s (right here and right here) arrived in mid 2022 I had been listening to them. In my evaluations I used them as a reference, even when they weren’t the final phrases in something. In actual life, if a sure acceptable degree of constancy and musicality is achieved, lazy I’d be the final one to tinker with the system. And so it had gone on for nearly a yr. Although I rotated the 15 and 11 ohms, I listened extra to the latter.

Finally, unable to face it, I swapped out the Beydas/”Stirling” and went again to my Shenzhen longtime workhorse Sansui F55 (See Top pic; Basic Info from a very long time in the past right here). Cables nonetheless the “Belden 1609”. Wow, the distinction was not refined in any respect. I received again all of the air, treble sparkle, and had a significantly better backside finish. Agile and lithe, the sound was splendidly acquainted. I do know truly very nicely the distinction between the Sansui and the Beydas. Although I’ve at all times most well-liked the higher bandwidth and energy of the Sansui, I caught with the LS3/5As for a very long time as a assessment instrument. They are adequate to inform me the distinction between gear and have been voiced extra just like one thing most readers are acquainted with. I additionally know the Sansui’s are a lot simpler to drive. Previously my Aosibao 6P1 PP amp (now with an issue in 1 channel) drove the F55s significantly better than the LS35s. And that is additionally true now for my BRZ FU-50 Amp too. It reveals no pressure in any way. Here, I’d wish to make clear that though I take advantage of the FU-50 amp as a workhorse I truly desire the extra highly effective APPLause 300B. The latter used to have socket drawback (pops) that irked me so I didn’t depend on it. But not too long ago after remodeling the sockets and tubes (simply by inserting and pulling the tubes repeatedly), the issue went away. But I had already been accustomed to the extremely dependable FU-50. It’s a bit just like the Sansui vs LS3/5a, and reveals you, once more, that for me, so long as it is inside acceptable vary, for listening to music I can simply modify. The system now’s so good that I truly rolled within the 80 Rectifier within the FU-50 amp. The 80 is extra yin than yang, however a subtlety champ, and the sunlit Sansui can now afford it. Marvelous!

The UMI has an uncommon characteristic, a 5V DC energy is required to function the XLR connection relay change. RCA can do with out, however I used to be suggested that even then plugging an LPS 5V improves the sound nonetheless. So, I scrambled for testing this. My 1-bit TDA1305 DAC has for the longest time been powered by the BRZ (伟良) 5V LPS. Here are my numerous Power Supplies. As you possibly can learn from the hyperlink, I had from the beginning some reservations in regards to the BRZ LPS. Even then, I related the BRZ 5V LPS to the UMI and as an alternative powered the DAC by my unused Wanptek SMPS. Guess what? I used to be SHOCKED that the sound improved markedly. NOT via the UMI being powered (the impact is refined, as evidenced by eradicating the BRZ 5V). BUT the DAC as powered by the SMPS turned a MUCH higher beast! In truth, it exceeded all my expectations! In truth, later I attempted the generic inventory SMPS, a tiny factor, and it was nonetheless considerably higher than the BRZ. Convinced that the DAC is now in full glory, I attempted but once more to get my previous sound again!

Thus outfitted, satisfied by the newfound vitality of my DAC, I as soon as once more switched again to the Beydas. Well, nicely! While I’m unsure I received all my previous sound again, I’m positive lastly I received a lot of it again. The sound was nonetheless maybe a bit darkish, however not unnaturally so. I then did additional changes, reverting to utilizing the crisper 5R4 rectifiers for the FU-50 amp, and eradicating the grills of the Beydas, and the sound improved a bit of extra. All with the identical “Belden 1609”.  I additionally switched again to the APPLause 300B and the sound gained a lot energy and solidity, as anticipated. I used to be more than happy, and the experimentalist in me pushed on (even when I do know the Sansui is finally even higher). As I write I’m nonetheless listening on the Beydas.

• All LS3/5a’s, actual or replicas, will not be that environment friendly. With greater energy (say, a PP amp, or a basic UK built-in) one can get extra management and open up the sound. But individuals like me additionally wish to run them with low powered SET amps, wherein case you would need to do plenty of changes to get good outcomes – setup expertise are required. My Sansui is simpler for my amps, particularly the FU-50 (over-spec’ed; I estimate round 5 watts whereas the 300B amp seems like 8 watts).

• LPS vs SMPS “Traditional” wisdoms are for the birds. Time and once more for me, SMPS outperforms LPS. SMPS is extra agile, lithe and alert, whereas LPS tends to be heavy and stable, however to every his personal. Keep in thoughts, most of the world’s most high-end manufacturers, like many Swiss manufacturers (as in my Nagra PL-P, additionally Soulution and many others), embrace SMPS. Populist ones, like Schiit, does too! In my case, the BRZ LPS actually doesn’t measure as much as my mass market (and low cost) SMPSs. One potential clarification for my woes is that the BRZ LPS has one way or the other deteriorated over time and gotten worse (caps? nevertheless it hasn’t been that lengthy…).

• TDA-1305 DAC (https://m.tb.cn/h.5QVYLVp) Although I discussed this DAC a few instances earlier than I by no means actually wrote about it. Aside from the Meridian Explorer I used earlier than it, I haven’t got one other one. It has served me very very nicely for nearly 3 years! The Meridian is a bit more rhythmic, however this factor is healthier in nearly all different features. The factor is round 200 RMB (underneath 30 USD) and does not actually have a model identify (the TB hyperlink reveals the maker)! The USB Input is Default and this is a major quirk: so long as the USB is related on the supply (my laptop computer), the SPDI/F (Coaxial and Optical) Inputs will NOT play. To play SPDI/F you’ll have to unplug the USB cable. There is a small change on the again that selects between Coaxial and Optical. As seen within the pic under, it makes use of 2x TDA-1305. Output degree appears fairly regular to me – not excessive, not low. This is a candy sounding DAC, simply as I’d anticipate from this chip (as in my Micromega Stage 2). With the Wanptek SMPS, it truly is sort of resolved whereas retaining its candy high quality. Very good job and certainly one of my greatest purchases! See, I’ve purchased a number of preamps and amps however getting one other DAC not often crosses my thoughts!