bce22
Active Member
EDIT: OpAmps need to be installed in the right orientation. Use my photos below for orientation. If you have questions about the correct way to install them ask first!
Also, I play my digital files through Foobar2000 on my laptop feeding the DAC. I have many 24 bit files but I play even 16bit files with 24/96K set in my windows settings. Sometimes I drop the settings to 24/48 for certain files based on what sounds best.
____________________________________________
Good Evening A/Kers,
I am so thrilled with the quality of my D2 DAC that I thought I would share it. I purchased this DAC in October directly from Maverick Audio. I purchased the unit with the upgraded OPA627 OpAmps and the
GE5670W tube upgrade for $289. The unit can be purchased on Maverick Audio's website here: http://www.mav-audio.com/store/index.php/dac/tube-magic-dac-d2-5670-627.html
After using the DAC for a couple of months and finding it to be a big improvement over the HRT Music Streamer II+ I decided it was worth putting some money into. What I decided to do was:
1. Buy Tubes
WE2C51 (D-Getter), Tesla 6CC42 (D-Getter), Sylvanias, GEs and a Bendix 6385 from 1964 that has yet to arrive. The WE2C51 was a massive upgrade over the GE tube that came with the unit. I also find the Tesla to be a big improvement in my system over the WE2C51. I am really looking forward to comparing the Tesla to the Bendix tube when it arrives.
I can say without a doubt that tube rolling really makes a difference in this DAC. I haven't found a single situation where I preferred the standard outputs over the tube outputs. This is true with the DAC hooked up to the Fisher KX-200 tube amp or the 1970s solid state monster Kenwood KA-907.
Even though tube rolling provides big gains in this device, it pales in comparison to the #2 upgrade which is...
2. Upgrade OpAmps to DISCRETE OpAmps
I read alot of great information and reviews on Audiokarma and elsewhere about the Sparkos Lab OpAmps and knew that I definitely wanted to try them. Here is a link to Sparkos Labs OpAmps page: http://sparkoslabs.com/product/discrete-op-amp-ss3602/ This links to the dual discrete OpAmps that are needed for the D2. You actually need 3 of them. As you can see they are pretty pricey, however Sparkos Labs does offer these on ebay and you can make an offer and he may give you a break for buying 3.
All I can say is WOW! These really open up the device, the soundstage is trully impressive with these installed. The DAC really sounds hugely improved over the OPA627s that came with the unit. I can't believe this DAC at this point with the upgraded opamps started as a $250 unit!
If you only do one upgrade to this device I truly recommend doing this!
3. Upgrade Output Capacitors
I wanted to see if I could push the sound even further by replacing the 2.2ohm output WIMA capacitors with boutiques. I replaced them with 2.2ohm 800V Jantzen Z-superior audio caps from parts express. They can be found here: http://www.parts-express.com/jantzen-audio-22uf-800v-z-superior-capacitor--027-482
These are really large and required me to move two small caps to the underside of the PCB in order to accommodate these caps. I believe they help tighten up the sound over the WIMAs however I also admit that it may be placebo. I had them around as extras from another job so I figured I would use them.
When it comes down to it, I couldn't be happier with this DAC. I use the USB input exclusively from a Laptop and Foobar. I have it outputting to both a Kenwood KA-907 and a Fisher KX-200. I really prefer the tube out, but the regular output is definitely in the same ballpark. Those Sparkos Labs OpAmps are really something.
The sound from the DAC rivals my TT setups! I have many albums in 24/96k quality and the vinyl as well. I even have a number of 24/96k rips of the same vinyl I own. I can say that there are some albums I prefer the digital files through this DAC over the vinyl. I thought that the setup was just shy of my vinyl with the WE2C51 tube, but when switched to the Tesla 6CC42 it is equal to in many cases.
Here are some nude shots of the Maverick Audio TubeMagic D2 DAC with the Tesla tube, Sparkos Labs OpAmps and Jantzen caps installed.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
Best,
Brad
Also, I play my digital files through Foobar2000 on my laptop feeding the DAC. I have many 24 bit files but I play even 16bit files with 24/96K set in my windows settings. Sometimes I drop the settings to 24/48 for certain files based on what sounds best.
____________________________________________
Good Evening A/Kers,
I am so thrilled with the quality of my D2 DAC that I thought I would share it. I purchased this DAC in October directly from Maverick Audio. I purchased the unit with the upgraded OPA627 OpAmps and the
GE5670W tube upgrade for $289. The unit can be purchased on Maverick Audio's website here: http://www.mav-audio.com/store/index.php/dac/tube-magic-dac-d2-5670-627.html
After using the DAC for a couple of months and finding it to be a big improvement over the HRT Music Streamer II+ I decided it was worth putting some money into. What I decided to do was:
1. Buy Tubes
WE2C51 (D-Getter), Tesla 6CC42 (D-Getter), Sylvanias, GEs and a Bendix 6385 from 1964 that has yet to arrive. The WE2C51 was a massive upgrade over the GE tube that came with the unit. I also find the Tesla to be a big improvement in my system over the WE2C51. I am really looking forward to comparing the Tesla to the Bendix tube when it arrives.
I can say without a doubt that tube rolling really makes a difference in this DAC. I haven't found a single situation where I preferred the standard outputs over the tube outputs. This is true with the DAC hooked up to the Fisher KX-200 tube amp or the 1970s solid state monster Kenwood KA-907.
Even though tube rolling provides big gains in this device, it pales in comparison to the #2 upgrade which is...
2. Upgrade OpAmps to DISCRETE OpAmps
I read alot of great information and reviews on Audiokarma and elsewhere about the Sparkos Lab OpAmps and knew that I definitely wanted to try them. Here is a link to Sparkos Labs OpAmps page: http://sparkoslabs.com/product/discrete-op-amp-ss3602/ This links to the dual discrete OpAmps that are needed for the D2. You actually need 3 of them. As you can see they are pretty pricey, however Sparkos Labs does offer these on ebay and you can make an offer and he may give you a break for buying 3.
All I can say is WOW! These really open up the device, the soundstage is trully impressive with these installed. The DAC really sounds hugely improved over the OPA627s that came with the unit. I can't believe this DAC at this point with the upgraded opamps started as a $250 unit!
If you only do one upgrade to this device I truly recommend doing this!
3. Upgrade Output Capacitors
I wanted to see if I could push the sound even further by replacing the 2.2ohm output WIMA capacitors with boutiques. I replaced them with 2.2ohm 800V Jantzen Z-superior audio caps from parts express. They can be found here: http://www.parts-express.com/jantzen-audio-22uf-800v-z-superior-capacitor--027-482
These are really large and required me to move two small caps to the underside of the PCB in order to accommodate these caps. I believe they help tighten up the sound over the WIMAs however I also admit that it may be placebo. I had them around as extras from another job so I figured I would use them.
When it comes down to it, I couldn't be happier with this DAC. I use the USB input exclusively from a Laptop and Foobar. I have it outputting to both a Kenwood KA-907 and a Fisher KX-200. I really prefer the tube out, but the regular output is definitely in the same ballpark. Those Sparkos Labs OpAmps are really something.
The sound from the DAC rivals my TT setups! I have many albums in 24/96k quality and the vinyl as well. I even have a number of 24/96k rips of the same vinyl I own. I can say that there are some albums I prefer the digital files through this DAC over the vinyl. I thought that the setup was just shy of my vinyl with the WE2C51 tube, but when switched to the Tesla 6CC42 it is equal to in many cases.
Here are some nude shots of the Maverick Audio TubeMagic D2 DAC with the Tesla tube, Sparkos Labs OpAmps and Jantzen caps installed.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
Best,
Brad
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