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Hi there Kevin, I sent you an e-mail yesterday enquiring about the new V2 active output stage I would like to buy from you, sometimes my e-mails don't get through so I thought I'd take the precaution of asking what I need to know here just in case.
When I bought the RAKK DAC mkII I asked if it was possible to buy the active output stage without the Lundahl LL1674 OP transformers and you said that would be ok, I looked at your Price list and saw the LL1674's cost $110ea or $220 for a pair, my question is can I simply deduct the price for a pair of LL1674's from the $799 for the level 2 active output stage? I am trying to get a reasonably accurate figure so I can work out if I will be able to afford to order it now.
Also do you know how much postage would be to the UK?
BTW when I was deciding which DAC to buy I asked if the RAKK DAC would beat the Benchmark DAC1! Boy do I feel silly the RAKK DAC beats it by a huge margine and this is BEFORE I have the active OP stage!
It is among the best digital I have ever heard keep up the great work ;o)
Thank you for your help
James
James,
Indeed. I have just the RAKK dac Mk I, and I'm always smitten with it every time I play a tune. In fact, I'm planning on selling the unit as I am planning a very large (read $$$$) upgrade with the RAKK dac Mk II/Active linestage combo. A Squeezebox 3 w/upgraded power supply+Empirical Pacecar combined with a RAKK dac Mk II w/the active linestage would make for a very sweet combination indeed. A bigger financial investment, but I'm sure its absolute state of the art.
As I dream...
Anand.
I've been lurking on this board for awhile and quietly contemplating the purchase of a RAKK DAC with the Passive Output. The comments in this thread have pushed me right up to the edge of jumping in! I also plan to use it with my SB3 which is currently running through a Cary 306/200.
Like you (AnandR), I've been thinking about the Empircal Pace Car to minimize jitter. However, it seemed like a lot to spend if I'm not going to use a DAC with an I2S input to get the most out of the Pace Car. Yes it has an available SPDIF or AES/EBU output, but then you run the risk of re-introducing jitter through that interface (though admittedly probably minimal coming out of the Pace Car). Besides, I've found the SB3 to be a great transport on its own. I used it with a Monarchy DIP for quite awhile, but ultimately preferred it directly connected to my DAC.
Regarding a power supply for the SB3 ... I'd be VERY interested (assuming the price is right). I've got an ELPAC linear supply connected to it right now and have been thinking about getting it modded by Bolder or tinkering with it on my own. I'd say it provides deeper, more defined bass but beyond that I've been changing/trying too many other things to make a reliable comparison with the stock switching supply just yet (hopefully I can do so soon). BTW, Channel Islands Audio and Welborne Labs also have power supplies for the SB3 that look interesting.
Initiative comes to those who wait.
- Alex, "A Clockwork Orange"
Anand,
What a coincidence! I am planning to use my Squeezebox 3 (modified) as my main transport ;o) I am aware of the Empirical Pacecar and it’s a very interesting concept, I would love to hear your verdict when you have your RAKK DAC mkII with active OP stage + Squeezebox + Pacecar combination.
It sounds like you will have a very nice system indeed, I have decided (due to budget constraints) to go for the Bolder cable digital modification for my Squeezebox 3, I have heard some very good things about Wyne at bolder and the performance he manages to (excuse the pun) squeeze out of the Squeezebox.
The RAKK DAC mkII sounds so effortless spacious sweet and musical with tight well defined bass, every strand of complex passages are fully resolved separate and clear from each other, I am VERY IMPRESSED with this dac and I am excited at the prospect of even higher sound quality when I add the Active OP stage.
Chase your dream and make it reality :O)
Kevin if you’re reading this I received my reply from you via e-mail, thank you for all of your help I will order the Active OP stage this week.
James
and can tell you that the SB is a major upgrade compared with my DVD player.
Loving the Squeezebox and RAKK DAC MK II combination. I have doubts though about the need for the Pacecar because of the ASRC part of the RAKK DAC.
I'm curious though about what a linear psu (as opposed to the switching psu)would do even with the Squeezebox as a transport only. I expect to hear zero improvement by the way...
To infinity and beyond!!!
I too found that the SB was far better as a transport than I expected, however I must admit that when I changed over to my custom built linear power supply there was a very large improvement over the switching one that came with the SB.
I found the linear supply had a far smoother less grainy sound and was had a more musical and dynamic sound all together.
My PS does use high quality parts though, like a large pair of Black Gate reservoir caps Schottky diodes ect.
If you can try one out for yourself I think you might be pleasantly surprised and if you can make one yourself without it costing too much that would be even better :oD
I am planning to send my SB off to Wayne at Bolder Cable for his digital mods, even though the RAKK DAC has very good jitter rejection I still think the mod will benefit me as Wayne also improves other areas like the on board regulation and he uses Black Gate caps throughout plus it is far cheaper than the Pacecar combo which I am sure is very good it’s just way out of my price range.
If you do try a linear supply I hope you hear the great improvement to the SB that I did.
James
Gents,I have been kicking a ton of ideas around for a nice linear power supply for the SB3. My immediate thoughts are shunt regulation. So there are a couple ideas:
1) Cajole, pull, beg, cry in front of Dave Davenport to come up with a minimal reactance power supply for the SB3 (~5V at 2A). I only see him going for it if there is enough interest, and I think there is really only one person that's interested, and that's me!
2) Use Peter Daniels Universal Power supply board which uses Jensen 4 poles in a pi filter format, then plug that into a Paul Hynes shunt regulated power supply which will spit out 5V at 2A easily. Definitely more expensive than option 1 however.But...Both options should compete with an all battery PS (like the $$$$ Optima Reds) and be cheaper and more user friendly.
I'm also reconsidering the PaceCar given the ASRC implementation of the RAKK dac II. I figure it will only be icing on the cake, given the icing is $1500!
So it looks like for a RAKK dac Mk II + Minimal Reactance 12V supply+Active output stage w/onboard dual mono minimal reactance supplies, the minimum investment is about $1200. I'm expecting to spend about $2K in total, to accomodate a chassis, remote volume control, I/O connections, etc...then another $500 will accomodate an SB3 with a shunt regulated supply.
For about $2500, this should be about as far as I will go with digital...for now, hehe.
Anand.
Hi Anand,
I tell you what I will do: If five people step up and say that they are interested, I will design and price a 5V 2A Minimal Reactance Power Supply. Then at the stated price, if five people step up and say that they will buy one, I will go ahead and have two beta-level supplies built. Two of those five people should take a beta level supply (at a reduced price) and then I will come up with a final design and price. If five people say they will buy one I will place it in production.
So – the first step – who is interested?
Dave
Count me as interested.
Rupe
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