Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
It is being done at the moment- in the meantime i have to say I am finding it a bittersweet surprise how good the touch is with anolgue out (albeit through the X10D) -- adamdea adamdea's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=37603 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Curse it- I have been unable to resist. -- adamdea adamdea's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=37603 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
adamdea;548293 Wrote: Curse it- I have been unable to resist. Sorry... you can blame me later :-) -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... Touch(wired/XP) - TACT 2.2X (Linear PSU) + Good Vibrations S/W - MF Triplethreat(Audiocom full mods) - Linn 5103 - Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Blue Jeans Digital,Kimber Speaker Chord Interconnect cables Kitchen Boom, Outdoors: SB Radio Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
adamdea;547553 Wrote: Phil Zanash modified my X-DAC V3 years ago (probably around the time this thread opened.) I am intrigued about whether to have the clock upgraded. Can I take it that you consider this to be a really worthwhile mod? Have you or anyone else on the forum any experience of any of the competing clock mods (trichord, tentlabs etc)? Life is to short for me to compare clocks - I just went with this: http://www.audiocominternational.com/product_info.php?products_id=31osCsid=gs2q991hd7ho79b9e2ukr5q2p0 ...and yes this mod changes the x-dac v3 into something else! -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... Touch(wired/XP) - TACT 2.2X (Linear PSU) + Good Vibrations S/W - MF Triplethreat(Audiocom full mods) - Linn 5103 - Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Blue Jeans Digital,Kimber Speaker Chord Interconnect cables Kitchen Boom, Outdoors: SB Radio Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Phil Leigh;542484 Wrote: replace the I/V chip with an LM4562, filter chip with AD825, replace all electolytics with audio types (os-con, rubycon) the biggest upgrade however is to replace the regs with discrete super regs and the clock with an Ultraclock/Superclock. This turns the X-DAC V3 into a completely different beast. The OPA2604 is the default replacement for the stock 5532's but they are outperformed by the chips I mention above in this circuit Phil Zanash modified my X-DAC V3 years ago (probably around the time this thread opened. I am intrigued about whether to have the clock upgraded. Can I take it that you consider this to be a really worthwhile mod? Have you or anyone else on the forum any experience of any of the competing clock mods (trichord, tentlabs etc)? -- adamdea adamdea's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=37603 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Hi, I Have upgraded my X-Dac V3 (replaced all electolytics, super regs, Better PSU, rhodium / gold Rca´s) But one last Mod modification remains.. and that is to upgrade the Clock to a Ultraclock/Superclock. Is there anyone who have the schematics for X-DAV V3 ? Regads /Mats :-) -- omega omega's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9336 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Hi Zanash, I came across your Musical Fidelity X-DAC V3 and X-PSU entry, and I decided to try some upgrades myself. I have the dac for a few years and never attempted to do anything with it, but since my X-10 V3 tube buffer gave me some problems (and I replaced the tubes) I got the desire to upgrade. In your discussion you mentioned that you have used the OPA 2604, but there are better op-amps. Which one would you recommend? At rockgotto.com, someone suggests OPA2134. Which one is the most appropriate? Thank you, Kiril -- kiril kiril's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=37931 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Hi Zanash, I came across your Musical Fidelity X-DAC V3 and X-PSU entry, and I decided to try some upgrades myself. I have the dac for a few years and never attempted to do anything with it, but since my X-10 V3 tube buffer gave me some problems (and I replaced the tubes) I got the desire to upgrade. In your discussion you mentioned that you have used the OPA 2604, but there are better op-amps. Which one would you recommend? At rockgotto.com, someone suggests OPA2134. Which one is the most appropriate? Thank you, Kiril -- kiril kiril's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=37931 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
replace the I/V chip with an LM4562, filter chip with AD825, replace all electolytics with audio types (os-con, rubycon) the biggest upgrade however is to replace the regs with discrete super regs and the clock with an Ultraclock/Superclock. This turns the X-DAC V3 into a completely different beast. The OPA2604 is the default replacement for the stock 5532's but they are outperformed by the chips I mention above in this circuit -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... Touch(wired/XP) - TACT 2.2X (Linear PSU) + Good Vibrations S/W - MF Triplethreat(Audiocom full mods) - Linn 5103 - Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Blue Jeans Digital,Kimber Speaker Chord Interconnect cables Kitchen Boom, Outdoors: SB Radio Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Phil, I am new to the forum. I have the MF Triple Play DAC/PSU/Tube Stage. I am looking to tweak and replace some of the cheap parts. I am not an expert at this. Should I buy the parts and bring to an audio shop? Use a third party mod service? Lastly, just make the easy to implement mods my self. I purchased upgrade silver cables from Brad at Audio Revelations and I am looking to take the next step. My e-mail address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- rpl77 rpl77's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12255 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
rpl77;212739 Wrote: Phil, I am new to the forum. I have the MF Triple Play DAC/PSU/Tube Stage. I am looking to tweak and replace some of the cheap parts. I am not an expert at this. Should I buy the parts and bring to an audio shop? Use a third party mod service? Lastly, just make the easy to implement mods my self. I purchased upgrade silver cables from Brad at Audio Revelations and I am looking to take the next step. My e-mail address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] RPL77 - As the kind Zanash says... -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... ...SB3+TACT+Altmann+MF DACXV3/Linn tri-amped Aktiv 5.1 system and some very expensive cables ;o) Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
fit the schottky diodes [I used 11dq10's] the little bridge thats fitted is pooh ! at 50p each ..you need six its a stonking upgrade ! but the fitted caps are the real weakness and its worth spending the £30 on getting them changed. if you hold the removed case by the corner and flick it with your nailit will ring and ring and ring I use bitumin roof flashing [plastic coated] add as much as you can with out fouling the pcb rails. a couple of layers on the top bottom and sides will work wonders. While your at it add a couple of layers to the crystal too. -- zanash zanash's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12157 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Perhaps you could offer the mods as a service? /Nick zanash;212164 Wrote: fit the schottky diodes [I used 11dq10's] the little bridge thats fitted is pooh ! at 50p each ..you need six its a stonking upgrade ! but the fitted caps are the real weakness and its worth spending the £30 on getting them changed. if you hold the removed case by the corner and flick it with your nailit will ring and ring and ring I use bitumin roof flashing [plastic coated] add as much as you can with out fouling the pcb rails. a couple of layers on the top bottom and sides will work wonders. While your at it add a couple of layers to the crystal too. -- ntang ntang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=11710 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
zanash;212164 Wrote: fit the schottky diodes [I used 11dq10's] the little bridge thats fitted is pooh ! at 50p each ..you need six its a stonking upgrade ! but the fitted caps are the real weakness and its worth spending the £30 on getting them changed. if you hold the removed case by the corner and flick it with your nailit will ring and ring and ring I use bitumin roof flashing [plastic coated] add as much as you can with out fouling the pcb rails. a couple of layers on the top bottom and sides will work wonders. While your at it add a couple of layers to the crystal too. Zanash - many thanks - I feel inspired to try. Regards Phil -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... ...SB3+TACT+Altmann+MF DACXV3/Linn tri-amped Aktiv 5.1 system and some very expensive cables ;o) Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
zanash;212164 Wrote: fit the schottky diodes [I used 11dq10's] the little bridge thats fitted is pooh ! at 50p each ..you need six its a stonking upgrade ! but the fitted caps are the real weakness and its worth spending the £30 on getting them changed. if you hold the removed case by the corner and flick it with your nailit will ring and ring and ring I use bitumin roof flashing [plastic coated] add as much as you can with out fouling the pcb rails. a couple of layers on the top bottom and sides will work wonders. While your at it add a couple of layers to the crystal too. Zanash, I hope you don't mind but I wondered if you could advise of a UK retail/internet supplier for the diodes and caps. Also, I presume that the X-10 buffer would benefit from the same treatment? Many thanks for your time, Phil -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... ...SB3+TACT+Altmann+MF DACXV3/Linn tri-amped Aktiv 5.1 system and some very expensive cables ;o) Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
zanash;212267 Wrote: pm me ! I'll give you more info Have done - many thanks. -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... ...SB3+TACT+Altmann+MF DACXV3/Linn tri-amped Aktiv 5.1 system and some very expensive cables ;o) Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
this is my write upof the xdac v3 mods ...I've now do six of these units following these basic guidelines. MF x dacv3 mods The aim was to try and improve the unit but on a strictly limited budget of about £50 for parts. The unit on initial listen sounded thin, closed in and a little congested, with fair imaging and good bass. After each mod the unit was hooked back into my system and the changes where evaluated ..fortunately there were no retrograde steps but a couple of the mods provided very little obvious improment though these were left in rather than removed. The case The case rings badly, with the ends removed hold by a corner and tap it with a screw driver. As all components are microphonic any ringing will effect the performance of the unit. The case front and back need to be damped , I use bitumen damping sheet and covered the internal flat surfaces, but with enough room to spare for the pcb to fit and the end plates. The sockets These should all be swapped for high quality parts, ie Teflon insulated types. My preferred type are the ones you can bolt onto the back plate. The wire For me this plays a big part in the sound of the unit so Ive gone for the best at any price. Pure silver in ptfe sleeve, two cores are tightly twisted and connected from the pcb to the sockets on all the external connections. The Input These appear fitted with pulse transformers and on the whole is ok you could check the output impedance of the transport and match that with the receiver chips but thats definitely icing on the cake. There are a series of disc caps I hate disc caps these can be swapped for higher grade types, but its debatable if there any sonic advantage. The two reciver chips should be covered in copper foil and grounded to the ground plane close by. The copper foil must be cut so that it is clear of the pins other wise you will cause a short. Once completed the chips should be covered with a piece of bitumen damping material. The mains The xdacv3 has an external psu that provides the 24v ac that this unit runs off, making a better unit or using the x-pusv3 will of course give you big gains even if you dont do any other mods. All the diodes should be replaced that includes the two descrete diodes and the diode bridge. The diodes that I used here are Schottky 11DQ10s these are just superb and offer the best bang for buck of all the mods carried out. It easy to build a little bridge to fit the position of the round rectifier bridge removed, though mind did look like a drunk spider but worked just fine. Without wholesale curcuit changes I left the voltage regulators to do there job, Ive always found that its a big job to rebuild the curcuit board if you change these and in this instance was not pat of my remit, though big gains can be had but using different devices. Once the ac has been converted to dc and the correct voltage established the next area of modding is the capacitors. Im of he school that thinks many small caps are better than one big one, so I swapped the single large supply caps with stacks of three caps each with better spec and a slightly higher total capacitance. The type of caps you can use here include Panasonic fc or the more exotic types, Im not certain I would use oscons, but elna silmics or stargets would go well. All you need do is make certain that there is enough room for your choice of cap. The dac Here I include the square silver box which is the crystal. I was surprised at how much the sound changed by just adding a sheet of damping to the top and side of the case. Other than that I left it alone [again not part of the original remit]. I placed foil and damping on the dac chip and other two chips, which again provided some sonic gains. But again efforts were concentrated but to the restrictions previously mentioned. There are a series of caps that supply the dac chips I removed them all and replaced with stargets, but oscons would work very well here. My choice was what I had to hand rather than any great need to use stargets. The stargets sounded pretty good over the old caps. A word of warning here the caps feed the dac chip by the thinnest pcb traces you can imagine and yes I managed to lift one but saw it in time. It was super glued back down, the resist was scraped off and the caps leg soldered to the trace with out ill effect. phew. The output stages The dac feed six sets of opamps with there associated power supply network and filters. As I didnt have a huge budget to work with I concentrated on the final opamp a pedestrian ne5532 of staid performance. This was removed a good quality socket fitted and a opa2604 fitted, this is not the best opamp but is very good for the cost better ones can be found ! Wow huge jump in performance just think what a top opam could do. The signal path was followed and the resistor r206andr106 were swapped for dale/vishays again this was a good move great bang for buck ! Now why would you add
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
Zanash - I'm quite interested in your mods. Which do you think made the biggest difference? I use a stock X-DACv3+X-PSU but with homemade silver/ptfe cables. I might try damping the case as a zero-cost tweak. After that, what are the must-do changes? Regards Phil -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... ...SB3+TACT+Altmann+MF DACXV3/Linn tri-amped Aktiv 5.1 system and some very expensive cables ;o) Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
When I say forward sound of the Quad I dont mean bright like cyrus (damn this hifi terminology) I meant placement of the vocals in the soundstage. The Benchmark presents voices behind the speakers whereas the Quad vocals are level with the spekaers. Hope that clears up the confusion I've created ;) -- gsrai gsrai's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10342 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
What PSU interconnects do you use? I saw one at us$179. Kinda expensive if you ask me What improvements did you experience Thanks /Nick Phil Leigh;211395 Wrote: I find the sound to be very good (with X-PSU) - left/right imaging is good, noise is very low, no obvious freq response issues and transients/timing are fine. All in all a very good dac for the price. If you want a bit more zing (but only a tiny bit) to the sound the X10 buffer is good. Replacing the psu interconnects can improve the sound slightly. -- ntang ntang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=11710 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
I did a recent test with the following DAC's: MF X24k MF XDAC V3 Meridian 203 Quad CDP-2 Benchmark DAC1 and out of the lot I think the Meridan (being quite old) sound quite boxed in whilst the XDAC V3 sounded quite thin and extended the top end too much for me almost harsh and I have had a lot of MF kit (nice detail though). Surprisingly the X24K DAC sounded nice and warm with a good bit of detail - very listenable. The Quad CDP-2 sounded as better than the others although the presentation was more forward and not as 3-D as the X-DAC V3. Suffice it to say that the benchmark was the best IMO, very 3-d (soundstage behind the speakers) with great detail and not a jot of harshness! All IMO etc. etc. :) -- gsrai gsrai's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10342 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 and X-PSU v3
zanash;211358 Wrote: I'm quite familiar with these units the post burn in sound [when compared with my modded behringer src 2496] of the xdac v3 is a bit nasal and recessed. Imaging is good but small, bass ok but bloated, top end can be thin. This is not meant as a put down ! After a simple cap swap the xdac is a very good dac ...out performing my quad99cdp [run as a dac] using the wall wart psu... I find the sound to be very good (with X-PSU) - left/right imaging is good, noise is very low, no obvious freq response issues and transients/timing are fine. All in all a very good dac for the price. If you want a bit more zing (but only a tiny bit) to the sound the X10 buffer is good. Replacing the psu interconnects can improve the sound slightly. -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... ...SB3+TACT+Altmann+MF DACXV3/Linn tri-amped Aktiv 5.1 system and some very expensive cables ;o) Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36396 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
