Supercharged - Maverick Audio TubeMagic D2 DAC
- Thread starter bce22
- Start date
Vladlen
New Member
Shall I solder it back to its place? I removed the BNC input to improve heat outflow out from the DAC.
cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
If you want to use the coax SPDIF input, probably...
Vladlen
New Member
I never used that input, but soldering it back to its proper place. I believe the BNC connector is a part of the ground circuit.
And I want to replace WIMA Output Capacitors. It may happen I find a pair of paper in oil capacitors of proper size.
dfoulk
Active Member
It will work without the BNC connected. I know because when I got my Maverick, the person before had removed the connections to the board for some reason.
I reconnected it, but
I have not noticed that the Maverick generated excessive heat, which needed another hole to dissipate heat, but perhaps yours has that problem.
Vladlen
New Member
Without the BNC connector a DAC it is not any cooler. It is warm.
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dfoulk
Active Member
Somehow it seems that a misunderstanding about the rear connections on the D2 generate heat. The output jacks are just output connections, they don't
generate any heat in themselves at all. Whether the individual connections are connected or not, only pertains to the connections that you
wish to have available for your use, but the DAC will not be any cooler with or without any connections to any output jack.
generate any heat in themselves at all. Whether the individual connections are connected or not, only pertains to the connections that you
wish to have available for your use, but the DAC will not be any cooler with or without any connections to any output jack.
cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
I had that thought, too. But then it crossed my mind that perhaps they meant that removing the BNCs added ventilation holes...
Vladlen
New Member
Yes, I removed the BNC connector to improve ventilation inside the DAC.
But now I think about how ventilation is related to heat outflow.
dfoulk
Active Member
If you really need to dissipate heat, you could add a small fan to move some air, but I don't understand why the DAC is making excessive heat? Easy last
resort is use it without the top cover. It has to generate some heat in it's function.
cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
The tube output stage?
dfoulk
Active Member
Maybe, can't really imagine anything else, but not a problem on mine. Tubes do get hot, but I don't think the tube in the Maverick
is pushed very hard.
I have a noise issue with my D2. I have done the Sparkos OpAmp upgrade and changed tubes. Got it hooked into my Yamaha A-S1100 amplifer.
I would describe the noise as a constant buzz/hum, gets worse and worse when i turn the volume on my amp up. At normal listening volume its not that obvious, but its there.
The noise is there regardless of tube or normal line out from the D2. Also regardless of input on the d2, and whether or not cd-player/streamer is powered. Other sources connected to my amplifier is not noisy (turntable, cassette deck etc).
So far I've tried the following, without any success:
-Changed input on my amp
-Changed cables, both rca and power cable
-Messed around with positions of the d2 itself, and cables, no audible difference what so ever
-Changed back to original OpAms and tube, still the same
-Cleaned out some dust
-Tried different power outlets
Nothing seems to do the trick. Could it me some component inside the dac gone bad? Any suggestions?
I would describe the noise as a constant buzz/hum, gets worse and worse when i turn the volume on my amp up. At normal listening volume its not that obvious, but its there.
The noise is there regardless of tube or normal line out from the D2. Also regardless of input on the d2, and whether or not cd-player/streamer is powered. Other sources connected to my amplifier is not noisy (turntable, cassette deck etc).
So far I've tried the following, without any success:
-Changed input on my amp
-Changed cables, both rca and power cable
-Messed around with positions of the d2 itself, and cables, no audible difference what so ever
-Changed back to original OpAms and tube, still the same
-Cleaned out some dust
-Tried different power outlets
Nothing seems to do the trick. Could it me some component inside the dac gone bad? Any suggestions?
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dfoulk
Active Member
I wonder if you might have a capacitor going bad. Do any of the caps look bulging or different that the others. Since the hum/buzz is always there,
it seems like it could be a cap in the power supply. I have heard of power supply caps failing in the Maverick, but it has not happened to mine yet.
Ok, thanks. Will look into this. Maybe order some capacitors then. But which ones? Will be reading this thread for research. Maybe replacing LEDs as well, their color and intensity is a but much. My soldering skills are lower league… oh well.
dfoulk
Active Member
Without a scope, you will be on visuals, which would be my situation also. If you have a meter, check all of your jacks for good continuity. It could just be a
bad ground somewhere. I will look at the insides of mine for maybe suggestions to check. I am not using mine at the moment.
Try to follow your steps of applying changes/mods backwards and see whether you've messed up something.
Maybe something has gone bad in the process of simply changing an opamp.
Generally speaking, if the buzz is in the 60/120 Hz (USA) 50/100Hz (EU) range, it means your problem is with the power supply.
Might be a cold joint, a bad capacitor or components, a disconnected grounding chassis lug, a cable in the wrong place or whatever.
However, in order to do things properly and troubleshoot correctly you'll also need to read the schematic.
Maybe something has gone bad in the process of simply changing an opamp.
Generally speaking, if the buzz is in the 60/120 Hz (USA) 50/100Hz (EU) range, it means your problem is with the power supply.
Might be a cold joint, a bad capacitor or components, a disconnected grounding chassis lug, a cable in the wrong place or whatever.
However, in order to do things properly and troubleshoot correctly you'll also need to read the schematic.
dfoulk
Active Member
That schematic is the missing link with the Maverick, at least I have never seen one. Would love to though. I have just looked at
other DAC circuits that have used the AD1955 chip for ideas to examine with reference to the Maverick.
dfoulk
Active Member
When did the buzz start?
I first noticed the buzz a couple of months ago. The OpAmp/Tube upgrade was done 4-5 years ago, since then I have not messed around anymore with it. So it seems the noise has occurred out of the blue.
I took it apart yesterday to look at the caps, could not see any bulging or differenence. Chassis ground cable is connected, and I would say the noise is further up the hz than 50/100.
Important detail!:
I can actually hear noise just by powering the Maverick on and having it on standby. Without powering my amp on.
Don’t have any scopes, so yeah I’m on visuals. Have a multimeter lying around, but I have no clue where to start.
Sigh… been looking at a Topping Dac. D90. Tempting. But also boring. I like the tube.