ECdesigns

[yogibear]

38 minutes ago, Huubster said:

Oh, and one thing to add, a 'mod' anyone can do as long as you don't use the DAC as pre-amplifier.

 

I use the DAC as DAC only and it's always on the fixed volume setting of 9. This is a result of using both jumpers in the back of the DAC.

 

What you should try is removing the right jumper (as seen from the back side) áfter you started the DAC in this fixed volume setting.  

 

Please let me know what you think 

Even better. Volume setting 9 brings me the maximum listening pleasure.

[yogibear]

50 minutes ago, Huubster said:

 

The crux is in switching the DAC on while the jumper is in, and then remove the jumper. Have you tried that?

 

If you turn off the DAC on a daily basis it's quite a hassle, but if not it's a one time operation. 

No, never knew this. Will try this. Thanks. 

[yogibear]

6 hours ago, Norton said:

I see ECD now have a PowerDAC “B” -

https://www.ecdesigns.nl/en/shop/powerdac-b

 

I guess this is basically an “R” without onboard volume and in a more conventional form factor?

Doesn’t mention the output voltage compared to R.    

[yogibear]

I will try to spice it up. Since I bought the R model, (as soon as it was introduced) I had been playing it on my FR Open Baffle Line array so not much below 70hz and I had no idea as how ECDesigns R does for lows.

 

I made some changes, it’s now 12” FR with 15” woofers crossed at 120hz, active. The woofer amp is class AB 250 watts rms and takes speaker level inputs from my DIY tube amplifier. 
 

The output transformers top quality, handwound in India, scope tested, 8hz to 50khz, @5 watts with 0.3% distortion figures. So ECDesigns DAC sees no bottlenecks. The amplifier is 6V6 SE with 6N23P at driver stage. Again distortion figures are very low and the performances of the output transformers remains unfazed. I did pull up a fantastic DHT Tube preamplifier too, tube rectified. I occasionally use that too. 
 

To sum up, model R is a trailblazer in my books. Low end is fantastic. You can see 89dB DIY Bookshelves as well, Vifa tweeters and carbon woven cone woofers, both with truncated face plates for a simpler passive crossover. The setup drives them with ease and very loud at just 50% of the amp volume.

 

I need not stress more on the natural and musical sound traits of the model R with perfect frequency response. 

 

 

[yogibear]

Huubster,  I agree 100%. Most amusing part is: there is nothing “digital” in this DAC !
 

If you strive for “analogue” sound through other means (non digital), this one gives you exactly that with the added precision of solid state. It leaves nothing more to desire.

 

It stands as “heart and soul” of my whole setup. All tinkering in my chain revolves around it and it stays put and will always be the very foundation of my journey of music reproduction.
 

Amps and speakers will always be made and listened too, experimented with, but the ECDesigns DAC will stay put for ever ! I don’t want any other. Won’t even look at others….

[yogibear]

Love it !
 

I wonder how you record the tracks…. My iPhone is giving me a hard time.  

[yogibear]

Power B arrived and playing ! 
 

Awesome !!!! 
 

6L6 SE with Re084 DHT Preamp…. 

[yogibear]

Yes and I have both. 
 

B is a welcome change if you are not a headphone guy. 

[yogibear]

Not so sure on the source immunity.

 

It’s an Alienware laptop, 2014 model, Windows 10 decrapified, optimized for audio and a custom software. It’s all in a separate partition and the software launches JRiver, Spotify, Qobuz. JRiver plays all my lossless. I mostly play Spotify coz of the vast collection and the comfort of controlling it through my iPhone. 
 

The software actually channels all the hardware / software resources to optimize the machine just for one job: Accuracy in music reproduction.

 

I use the ECDesigns usb to optical converter. From the DAC R or B), It’s the DHT tube pre to tube amp and my bookshelves. 
 

Simple and neat and very musical. No fancy cables. Just the right gauge and purity. 

[yogibear]

Not really. With some tube amps the DHT preamp makes a staggering difference, but with two new ones which have highest grade OPTs, the DHT preamp is redundant.

 

In any case B and R sound the same. The mute and volume function on R sometimes comes very handy when you actually want to cut it out without powering off. This is helpful with tube amps.

[yogibear]

Sure Matt. Will do soon. 
 

B plays awesome too !!!

 

The downside of the whole setup is: it makes me lazy, unproductive, useless, time flies….. I am stuck to

my seat endlessly…. 
 

This is very bad. Once I start listening, I keep procrastinating the jobs in hand. 

[yogibear]

Yes, I had it in my setup for about 15 days. Then it went to the friend it was meant for. 

 

Yes, B and R are quite a notch above it. And for the reasons unknown to me, I guess my laptop settings need to be tweaked for the higher resolution, UT96 sounds better than UT192 with both R and B. 

[yogibear]

Quite curious how would DAC BX with a nice amp compare to SX….

[yogibear]

Very true, I have a DHT preamp before the amp with B. 

Resurrected my Potpourri OB LA and change is quite exhilarating with some tracks compared to the Bookshelves…

 

 

[yogibear]

It took a while to garner all those drivers except the bottom one. The top two drivers are Matsushita / Technics / National 8PW1 with phase plugs and extend to 17k, measured at my listening position. Third from the top is another un-ubiquitous Calrad from Japan with a whizzer cone and bottom one is discontinued Lii Audio F8 with excellent chassis. Top two have extended HF response and bottom two have better LF extension. The total sensitivity stands at 100dB plus @8 ohms. Top and bottom drivers are new and need break in time. Yes, the top most driver been sitting in its box for the last 50 years as I bought it. Bottom most had been in the box for last 7 years.

 

DHT Preamp is DIY by me including the Tube amp, which is SE and plays 6L6 tubes and also 807 / EF12N with an adapter. 
 

Dell Alienware is optimized for audio on windows 10. 
 

Perfectly happy with ECDesigns DAC, won’t look at any other ever. No need to. But curious to try one of their latest models too. 
 

 

[yogibear]

19 minutes ago, Khronos said:

You seem like someone who reads Glow in the Dark Audio as well. 😄

 

I admit I don't have experience with vintage drivers (I have some Coral Holey baskets awaiting for when I buy a soldering iron, though), but based off from your YouTube videos, the sound is very nice! The high efficiency must also make it so realistic sound levels are breezy on the amp, how good are they with large scale orchestra?

 

Regardless, it's nice to see somebody finally starting to achieve their nirvana (Guess all there's left is fiddling with the electronics' circuits and driver combination).

 

Are you by any chance acquainted with the work of J.C Morrison? The technicalities go over my head, but his circuits are masterful.

https://www.labjc.com/

 

[yogibear]

Kevin from glowinthedarkaudio and I are like in a parallel world. FRs in OB driven by tube amps, yes. Independent discoveries….

High efficiency is an advantage but despite, biggest factor is distortion…. That should be lowest, be it speakers or amps.  My tube amp designs are focused around lowest IMD. 
 

Thanks for sharing JC Morrison page. Will explore and learn…

 

[yogibear]

JBL Le8T are fantastic drivers. You can get an nos or mint pair and get those yellow surrounds changed to foam for cheap. I will pick them anyday. Excellent top end exceeding 10k and low end goes under 40hz whether you put them in a ported box (Kenrich sound, Japan) or even as single driver open baffle or even a line array. There will be nothing more left to be desired. 
 

Another driver which is a little harder to find but not impossible and you can still find many nos pairs from Japan is Matsushita / Technics / National 8PW1. Undisputed frequency response from 17k to 50-70hz in open baffle, low extension depending on your baffle size. 95dB sensitivity. 

[yogibear]

Time for some fun… BX will be compared too….

 

 

[yogibear]

Further impressions on SX:

 

1. Very very dark background.

2. Explosive dynamics.

3. Unreal details.

4. Smooth midrange.

5. Staggering bass. 
 

It’s getting very “Goosebumpy” !!!! No words to explain…. (Improving with break in… perhaps) 

[yogibear]

Sure. I think I have the lossless file. Will play and share.

 

Another one, excellent dynamics, HF and LF extension and completely dark background. Actual sound is quite warm as well though not reflected in the recording…

 

 

[yogibear]

The Liberty song. You get an idea though my iPhone recording isn’t great at vocals…

 

 

[yogibear]

Further impressions on the SX:

 

The bass bloomed like a flower with time. What’s baffling is, looks like the bass extension on my bookshelf speakers extended by itself while playing through the SX. Despite the volume at the SX, be it at just 15 on 88dB BS or full throttle 24, the distortion is non-existent and I hear low low end notes from some recordings that never existed before ! 
 

How about a 40 watter DAC in future ????

[yogibear]

I wished for 40 watter as it would leave no speaker behind as “not so compatible”. 
 

Yes, many speakers are planned in near future including horn setups. A bigger room is planned as well. Five pairs of horns in solid wood already accomplished, drivers accounted for.  Let’s see how it rolls out. Minimal or no crossover design is planned as well. 

[yogibear]

Yes F4 already completed. Power supply part is pending. I hope SX gives it enough drive. Could be quite interesting to try….