Quite interested in one of these little 'wonders' .. seems like everyone else has had a play, now i fancy the dac-route for a change..

but I have seen 2 variations of the derek shek "nos dac" on ebay and i don't know which to plump for?

option 1 : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/dice-DAC-Non-OS-Non-Oversampling-DAC-TDA-1543_W0QQitemZ9713747441QQcategoryZ3272QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

option 2 : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5872607541&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1


anyone compared the two?

ta!

I've had both and presently have the second, which is a good deal better than the first. Go for the opaque black one.

I also have the opaque (latest?) version - only bought it a month or so ago - and it's extremely musical. I have yet to get fancy in the PSU dept, but supposedly there are gains to be made in doing so.

Highly recommended.

Mark

Quite interested in one of these little 'wonders' .. seems like everyone else has had a play, now i fancy the dac-route for a change..


I think that for you, nixon, there can be only one choice worth considering:

Scott Nixon NOS DACs (http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm)

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/pict/7721982330_0.jpg

Cheers, Dex

I've had both and presently have the second, which is a good deal better than the first. Go for the opaque black one.

I see! I am aware that the black one is an 'improved' version of the ORIGINAL opaque one... but the current opaque (grey) one seems to also be different from the original, hence "the original was good, this one is better" - did you have the original opaque one or the new opaque one? ( :confused: oh dear, how confusing!)

I'm sure i read something about the black one having reliability problems.. blowing up power supplies? error in the circuit??? I don't wanna invite any grief you see.. i'm a 'fit n forget' kinda guy :D

Dex, lol, very astute.. tube dacs? they'll 'toob' anything these days!.. (how long til 'toob' speaker cables?)

Dex, lol, very astute.. tube dacs? they'll 'toob' anything these days!.. (how long til 'toob' speaker cables?)

Actually, in the States, the Scott Nixon DACs are quite highly regarded (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nixon/tubedac.html); the (non-tube) Chibi Dac has been known to work wonders with a Squeezebox, for example.

As for the concept of "tube DACs", it is merely a DAC plus a tube output stage, and these have been around for quite awhile now. I've been running an Ah! Njoe Tjoeb (http://www.stereophile.com/digitalsourcereviews/1103tjoeb/) tube-output CDP for about 2 1/2 years now and thus far it has dispatched with the likes of Rega Jupiter, Naim CD5i, and, most recently, Rega Apollo in side by side home demos.

All the best in your search! :)

Dex

I see! I am aware that the black one is an 'improved' version of the ORIGINAL opaque one... but the current opaque (grey) one seems to also be different from the original, hence "the original was good, this one is better" - did you have the original opaque one or the new opaque one? ( :confused: oh dear, how confusing!)

I'm sure i read something about the black one having reliability problems.. blowing up power supplies? error in the circuit??? I don't wanna invite any grief you see.. i'm a 'fit n forget' kinda guy :D

Dex, lol, very astute.. tube dacs? they'll 'toob' anything these days!.. (how long til 'toob' speaker cables?)

I've owned both the translucent white acrylic unit that has a blue internal LED and the newer black opaque acrylic unit. Never had a problem with either DAC excluding issues of me connecting a DC supply up the wrong way round (hardly the fault of the kit). The PSU I now have seems to be working very nicely, no issues and sounds a good deal better.

It may be me but aren't the two DAC's in the original post from different scources? One is from Derek Shek, the other from tomtom. The original Derek Shek was in a translucent box but no more.

I recently purchased the latest 'black' NOS DAC from Derek and it works well in my system being fed by a Squeezebox 3. And at the time they were being sold on eBay for £99 plus postage - but I notice he has none listed at the moment.

Alan

Hi Guys,

Seems the new software updates have my wireless SB2 working better now, so maybe it's time for a DAC. Has anyone actually compared a Scott Nixon versus a Derek Shek? Also, how do people like to get the signal fromthe SB2 to the DAC?

Thanks,

Bruce

I know a chap on another forum who's compared a v2 DS NOS DAC to a Monica2 and prefered the Monica2. As the Monica2 is also cheap, I'd be inclined to look at one of these.

Mr S.

I've heard of these Monica's, but don't they need to be self-assembled?

Do you use the optical or coax digital out from the SB?

Are you still using the Bel Canto?

Bruce

It may be me but aren't the two DAC's in the original post from different scources? One is from Derek Shek, the other from tomtom. The original Derek Shek was in a translucent box but no more.



As far as I (thought!) i understood it Alan, Derek was working with someone else on the original dac.. then they parted company and each went on to produce different versions of the original dac - the 2 versions in my original post.. i was wondering if anyone had compared these two later versions.

Mr S.

I've heard of these Monica's, but don't they need to be self-assembled?

Do you use the optical or coax digital out from the SB?

Are you still using the Bel Canto?

Bruce

I'm told that the newer Monicas come assembled, though I've never ordered one, so can't be 100% sure. Would be worth checking out the website. Not sure of the link, but should be possible to find it with google.
I don't have an SB, so can't comment on that. I use a Meridian 500 to front my DAC and connect via Coax.

I certainly am still using the Bel Canto, which never ceases to impress. Quite the contrary, when hearing other systems, it's interesting to compare against my own, where the BC does some seriously special things. Wide bandwidth, amazing seperation between instruments, very natural in a valve way in the mid band, awesome low end control and a LOT of fun.

Monica DAC and Charlize amp can be found here (http://diyparadise.com/). A co-worker bought both two from there 2 months ago, and both came as a kit (not assembled).

Best,
Oliver

What is the difference between the various TDA154X DAC chips? The Derek Shek design seems to favour the TDA1543 while Monica uses TDA1545.

Regards,

Mus

Why not have a go at your very own? Kit Tayor has covered an incredible range of variations on the basic CS812+TDA1543 recipe in the DIY room, and there are several summary documents in the FAQ area also.

It's not difficult and the DIYers are very helpful :)

There is of course the Lite dac AH......

This is cheaper, but may according to your tastes need a bit of modding to get the sound you want.

This is not everyones cup of tea.

Currently I have a heavily modded X-DACv3 which to me doesn't do what the AH does[in my system of course]. The AH is quite a bit cheaper in standard form to...build quality is similar but there are better parts in the NOS. Unless like me you've swapped loads in the AH.

Go for the Scott nixon tube dac, simply awesome for the price.

I have the same confusion about these NOS dac earlier. :confused:

After I have emailed moodlab, they clarified that the "original" opague version offered by shek on ebay was from moodlab too. shek was a sales guy at moodlab in past.

Now he left and try to release his own NOS dac (black box).

I have ordered the "dice" dac with USB input and I'm extremely happy with it. I own a "Monica 2" as well.

I have ordered the "dice" dac with USB input and I'm extremely happy with it. I own a "Monica 2" as well.

can you elaborate on sonic differences?

I have a monica2 dac that I bought from DIYparadise about a month ago. Very smooth musical sound. Better resolution and I think signal to noise too.

I bought the fully assembled and tested kit for USD150 incl postage. I then had to mount it in a box, solder on the connections for spdif input and rca outputs and add a power supply. If you don't have a soldering iron, don't go this route!!!

However, the sound is just lovely and it was a good buy. Something to note with this dac is that the output is lower than with your CDP, ie you will have to turn your amp up to get the same volume. Might be an issue for those with 1 WPC set amps and the like. However its not an issue with my 10WPC valves driving esl 57's


Fran

Regarding the Monica 2, I have bought the assembled kit and yes, output level is a problem.

The output level of the dice is similar to a CDP. Both the Monica 2 and moodlab dice sound musical and smooth. I feel that the dynamic of dice is a bit better.

I prefer dice just because it is a "ready to play" unit and equipped with an USB input which connects to my computer.

I use an Ack dAck 2.0 and was a beta-tester for the version 2.0, so I got to shoot it out with many different dacs- Bel Canto Dac 1/2, Scott Nixon Tube Dac +, MF Tri Vista DAC, Meitner Bi-Dat. IMO, it was better than them all, though it was pretty close with the Meitner, with the Meitner being more detailed and the ack being quicker.

The Ack 2.0 is a night and day difference from the original Ack dAck, which was all about midrange purity. The 2.0 is much more extended, extremely taut in the bass, and has good drive, but doesn't have the magical midrange of the original Ack.

Michael

It seems like last year at about this time many were raving about the Benchmark. Don't hear much about it these days. Does it still have it's fans? Has it been surpassed by anything cheaper? I ask because I suspect my Edirol UA-5 can be bettered. But can it be for less than $200 (Has to have USB in)?

Ed I have a BM. I found it is not significantly better than the SB3 analogs. In fact you struggle to pick them apart.

I haven't heard any of the other dacs mentioned here. It doesn't sound quite as good as the CDX but is not far off.

I'm just burning in my monica2. I'm absolutely bowled over by it. The midrange is to die for, and the overall sound is very smooth and musical and natural. If I can find the link, somewhere on the web there's a report of a "dac party" in which the monica clearly bested the benchmark in a group blind test. Also, check this link: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/roadtour3b/roadtour3b.html

Russell

Audio addict on a budget. System: Onkyo DX-C390 cd changer (hey -- it was free) ==> Monica2 dac ==> Jolida 1301 amp (30-W, hybrid ss/tube) ==> Infinity Primus 360 speakers.

It seems like last year at about this time many were raving about the Benchmark. Don't hear much about it these days.

I ordered one Moodlab Concept dac, i will report my experience. Anybody tried to tweak this dac ? Better power supply ?

Cheers, Tomek ;)

I think that for you, nixon, there can be only one choice worth considering:

Scott Nixon NOS DACs (http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm)

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/pict/7721982330_0.jpg

Cheers, Dex

My thoughts exactly. I use a tube DAC between my Universal player and Arcam receiver in the Family room to add a little zip to CD playback upstairs.

But I also use the USB tubeDAC with my PC for 90% of my listening.

They are both very fine workpieces but the upgraded power supply is a must - it makes a significant difference.

I just bought a Beresford TC-7510 Mk6 and although I only powered it up this morning I am already very impressed with this product.

I used to have a Benchmark and I sold it because, as one poster mentioned above, I could barely tell it and the analog outs of my SB3 apart, however with the Beresford there is much more detail and the sound is much more convincing. Apparently it needs a few days to "burn in".

I know the statement about the Benchmark will be controversial to some, given the fact that BM is around $1k and the Beresford $199.99. I know what I'm hearing and it's better. Kind of tired after all these years of spending megabucks for little or no improvement. Recently I have bought two products which beat the pants off much more expensive ones, this one and the Cambridge Audio 640p.

Colin

It seems there are a few Monica2s among the PFM community. Mine has been runing for a few weeks now, with the active I/V stage. It does lack voltage at the output compared to a typical CDP or DAC (about 0.7v max, compared with a more typical 2v), but it makes up for it in sheer musical quality. It's got a very clean, detailed sound, but with bags of emotional involvement and oomph to the music. Mine has separate SMPS supplies for digital and analogue stages and beats both Martin Clarks DPA DAC (which I had in my system for a while) and my own Derek Shek NOS-DAC with battery supply (which was my favourite config on that unit).

In terms of build, the kit comes with the tricky surface mount chips installed and the DAC chip is socketed. It is a fairly easy build therefore and I think the little bit of effort is massively rewarded. If you aren't wedded to the idea of a a complete CDP, this has to be the bargain of the century. It just makes music and is utterly engaging. And Yeo is both responsive to questions and a thoroughly knowledgeable chap.

Interestingly, I took my shambolic (3 boxes and some random looking wires) unit over to Martin Clark's, where I think it impressed us both in his well-sorted system.

Mark

Which Shek DAC was that?

The newer D2 has the same chip (and low output) like the Monica, and probabaly sounds more or less the same. Quite a difference to the older BlackBox D1 design, which was pretty good to, just in an other way.

I tried the black NOS dac and I sold it within a week...

Yep, I can vouch that MarkW's Monica2 is a fine-sounding device - quite the best NOS I've heard, and I'm no fan of the concept. Plenty of bounce, easy to listen to for long periods. I suspect the result owes a lot to the discrete I/V conversion, but it's a steal at the price.

Which Shek DAC was that?

The newer D2 has the same chip (and low output) like the Monica, and probabaly sounds more or less the same. Quite a difference to the older BlackBox D1 design, which was pretty good to, just in an other way.

Yes, my Shek is the older black box version, which I have used for well over a year and enjoyed a lot. It sits in my study system now, still doing sterling service.

Mark

Hi,

My moodlab concept dac arrived today. First impressions: - very good dynamics, great space between instruments, good PRAT and involving sound. Minus could be some lack of tonal colours (what's that ? ;) ) and little bright sound. A year ago i had for two months Benchmark DAC1, but already at this early stage i prefer moodlab ...
DAC1 was sweeter, but boaring. Moodlab is very musical.
When it will burn in, than i will give the final verdict.
Delivered 12V dc switched power supply is probably a weak point, i am thinking about building one 12VDC with SR.

Cheers, Tomek

Tomek,

I also have a Moodlabs concept DAC and can assure you that it will improve with 30 or so hours of burn in on it. Also I have changed the PSU for a 5000mA one from Maplins which brought about many worthwhile improvements. Read all about it here: http://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum7/6633.html

I have become more and more interested in a diy dac, if you like the naim-presentation would the monica2 be a good alternative, any other high quality boogie rich alternatives? Also, would you need the optional I/V stage or is that optional if used with a preamp such as the 102?

/Magnus

Hi,
After few days burn in i did some moere extensive tests with Moodlab Concept Dac.
For the money it is a very good product, but you cannot compare it with really good cd players. My DPA combo (Enlightenment Drive + DX32 DAC) is better, but it was much more expensive.
Moodlab has a very good PRAT, no doubt. Very good dynamics. But there is some lack of tonal colors and the lack of very deep bass. Maybe a better power supply can cause some change. Anyway i decided to keep my beloved DPA again and sell Moodlab.
http://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38907

Cheers, Tomek

PS Now i am thinking about trying the non os dac from Peter Daniel:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1170936#post1170936

Anybody has some experience with this dac ?

I own a premium Peter Daniel NOS DAC built by Peter himself. It has a very musical sound like most of the 1543-based DACs. It is a good DAC but the sound doesn't match my modified Arcam Alpha 5+.

It looks like the non os dac is better than a middle priced cd player, but cannot touch the sky ...