What is the NOS DAC sound?

Mine was an impulse buy as well - but so far I dont regret it! :MILD:

 

I find the sound natural, a bit laid back, and yes quieter, less volts output which can put it at an a/b disadvantage.

It can be a bit variable in the bass, on some things it sound powerful and fast, and on some a bit reticent, esp. on a demanding amplifier with 10k input it didnt like at all, bass all but went.

sometimes it times, sometimes not, but I like it loads.

remember its using the dacs output stage, so probably not as 'strong' as a custom build, and I think philips multibit dacs are the bees knees, they sound fab. shame they went dodo

 

If you use a power supply of 1A or higher then it seems to sort the bass problem you mentioned. There is perhaps a bit of a lack of weight in the lower midrange in rock music though, most noticable when lots of instruments play together. Makes it sound a touch less dynamic than my CD player on its own.

 

Got my Derek Shek NOS...

Definitely like much of what it's doing so far. I'll withold judgement for a few more days because of my next question--- break-in.

Has any smurf found that this thing breaks-in to any appreciable degree?

I've read that the 47 stuff needs at least like a few days of being powered on to sound near its potential owing to the simple circuit and all.

Has anyone found this with the NOS?

System:
Right now I am Rega Planet 2000-->NOS-->Unico-->Virgo 2's. All is wired with AU24 except speaker cables, which are Ensemble Megaflux FSF.

 

As an owner of 47 Labs stuff I'd say that was a load of pants, it sounds fine from switch on.

-- Ian

 

Well, just ordered mine with the optional PSU. It'll take about 3 wks.

BTW, Derek told me that the output clipping problem mentioned in other posts only happened to 2 DACs.

Hopefully it all works out.

 

I agree, it sounds fine from the off. The Black Gate caps do improve over time though.

 

hello folks, you may well be aware that mine was one of the units that suffered the clipping problem, it came back from the far east on friday and is sounding great, as Lt Commander says, uterly natural if a touch laid back, so far i have only had about 4 hours listening and it sounds great, in between times i'm leaving a CD on repeat to burn the unit in, so far its run for about 50 hours, i'd say its improving but that is, of course, completely subjective!
I now want to hear more about experiences with external PSU's - anyone care to comment?

Regards

Chris

 

DEV, you have a PM regarding our famous DAC-- oooh, the suspense-- huh?

 

Hi David, I've replied

 

I am using a custom power supply built by Derek Shek with my DAC, it has improved the sound considerably and increased the soundstage.

With the standard PSU supplied with the NosDAC my DAC used to get fairly warm, with the custom power supply the DAC is running totally cool.

If you are handy with a soldering iron you could build a PSU yourself, Michael has already posted details of his PSU and the source for the parts.

http://www.lcaudio.com/index.php?page=69



Aitcho

 

I posted details about the PSU I built here:

http://www.zerogain.com/forum/showpost.php?p=109063&postcount=46

I haven't done a direct A/B comparison (with the old wall wart PSU) but I would say that the soundstage became a bit wider and the bass gained a bit more body with the new PSU.

Michael.

 

Yes the bass definitely improves.

 

cheers guys. mine's now been strweaming 1s and 0s for about 100 hours now, with the odd bit of listening thrown in. the bas is one of 2 things i have noticed, best described as small but pefectly formed! looks like the psu may have to happen - i'll keep a hold of Michaels link - may ask mr sibson if he's game for showing me which is the cool end of a soldering iron!
the other thing i have noticed is that the left / right channel mix is much more pronounced, guess this will lead to better soundtaging when i get speaker position right but i wont pfaff about now, we move on friday so i'll wait until we are set up at the new place.
overall though i have to say i am mightly impressed with dereks litle box of tricks!

 

Nice one Chris, I'm pleased for you that its back and in fine form. I really felt gutted for you at Richards the other month when it started to play up.

Full marks to Derek then, although I have noticed he has upped his price to £130.

 

Still love the Chord64 (the sound & shamelessly, yes the design too)... would be interesting to see how it compares to the NOS

 

Well, I'm sure we can work something out. I've not heard the Chord yet so would be interested the hear the actual difference. I'll PM you my 'phone number. Give me a call and we'll sort something.

Regards,

Stuart.

 

Micheal was so impressed he sold the dac 64

 

Well, I did that first

-- Ian

 

Owwwwwwwwwwww pardon Me Sir Bob, I forgot
I would just like to say, I think you new kit looks most cool Ian
It may not did it for me in sound dept, however it looks most agreeable mate