Digital Drive

Lite DAC AH versus the Zhaolu

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In my last few weeks of doing some CD playback listening I have been using the Lite Dac AH(lightly modifed) and the Zhaolu(stock and modified). I have compared the AH DAC against a few other DACs available as well. Just let me say this. It is nothing short of fabulous. I bypassed the output stage and went directly from the DAC chip right to the outputs by way of 2.0 VH OIMP coupling caps. It is a killer DAC for any price point. I like the Zhaolu but I absolutely love the AH. The Benchmark and the Ack DAC just don't do the deed as compared the AH. Very good but not the same sound. I know they are probably different topologies but I guess I like what I am getting from the AH regardless of how cheaply it sells for.
Again, please be kind! It is only my opinion.

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Questions about the mod - Quiet Earth 15:01:42 09/21/06 (1)
When you "bypass the output stage" does that mean you are going directly from the DAC chip into your preamp (via the 2.0uF caps)? Can you be more specific as to where you solder the caps? How much output drive do you have? Do you have enough output voltage for a passive attenuator or do you need an active pre before the amp?
Sorry, lots of questions. I am not familiar with this particular mod of bypassing the enitre analog section (op amps). I also have a DAC AH but all I have done is replace the output signal coupling caps with film caps.
Thanks!
- Re: Questions about the mod - JANDG 19:47:08 09/22/06 (0)
  Take 2-2.2uf caps of very high quality & tap signal on DAC chip side of resistors R35 & R36, the run those cap leads to a new set of RCA's or use existing RCA's, if you install new RCA's you will retain your active output stage as it sits now, ..that is all you need to do & it is done, the other tweeks are refinement.,, You can use test clip leads to try it if you are uncomfortable with any of the soldering..If you are a passive user, it is night & day from the original DAC with any op-amp, opa-627 etc,, just my opinion.. try it...IMO also it is the op-amp in that output stage that messes it all to crap & back...well the original lytics are a bad joke, but really, just try it.I do not see how you would not like it, even with sonics bieng extremelly subjective.
Re: Lite DAC AH versus the Zhaolu - JANDG 19:28:25 09/20/06 (10)
Yes, & wish more people would do this mod, many are trying it now, but more should give it a go. I know of more than a few in the last weeks with quotes of this is the best they have ever heard there system do. & most have been in this years & years..The quotes are all private E-mail to me & not publisized on the web.I am sure most avoid because it is so cheap & can't possibly be good..
- Re: Got my Lite DAC AH yesterday - navman 08:01:56 09/21/06 (0)
  and its a non modded base unit. Super sound. Will mod it later. This is way better than I expected.
  (Cant say the same about my Sonic Impact Amp...that didnt work on one channel and is really a cheap build).
- What is the V output with the passive mod? - DrD 05:38:39 09/21/06 (8)
  That is what I would like to know. If it can swing 1.4V, it is a shoo-in winner!
  - Re: What is the V output with the passive mod? - JANDG 16:44:23 09/21/06 (7)
    Your in luck...it is 1.4v
    - Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? - DrD 17:37:19 09/21/06 (6)
      jkl
      - Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? - Tony M. 01:17:20 10/05/06 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? posted by DrD on September 21, 2006 at 17:37:19:
        
        1.4 V output after bypassing the OPA602 and 2.4 V with the op-amp in line. Andrea Ciuffoli used a 3.3uf coupling cap in place of the op-amp stage and reported great results. Anyone prefer the sound of the DAC with an upgraded op-amp (OPA627) over the bypassed version?
        Ciuffoli mods/tests (Open in New Window)
        
        Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? - nguyenchiro@yahoo.com 14:34:28 10/13/06 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? posted by Tony M. on October 5, 2006 at 01:17:20:
        
        Hi Tony,
        I have tried to bypass the opamps with two NOS Gudeman 2.0uF/400VDC and 0.22uF/200VDC caps. The sound was incredible musical. But I have replaced the abovementioned NOS caps with two Auricap 2.2uF/200V last night. My musics are even much better with clear and big improvement in midrange (, vocal is more stunning not weak and slow like NOS caps. But you also need to add two other Auricap .47uF/600V @ PS and a Hammond choke 193L bypassed @ IEC. It is an easy work just required your soldering skill. Good Luck and hope you will like it.
      - Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? - JANDG 17:43:01 09/21/06 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? posted by DrD on September 21, 2006 at 17:37:19:
        
        I would have to check in my notes, but it is a hot dac with stock output in use. ..I run TVC & nothing else & it is plenty for full output with my amp.I will check & get back to you.
        
        What is the Z-out Rating? - DrD 19:00:40 09/21/06 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Re: And What is the V output with the Op Amps in Place? posted by JANDG on September 21, 2006 at 17:43:01:
        
        It is okay with TVC, should be okay with a shunt, or variable R type.
        
        Re: What is the Z-out Rating? - JANDG 19:09:15 09/21/06 (1)
        
        In Reply to: What is the Z-out Rating? posted by DrD on September 21, 2006 at 19:00:40:
        
        Yes,I have run it with 10k PEC mono pots, Ladder types & so forth with great results. My amp is .33v @ 100k for full output, with the by-pass on the PEC 10k pots I get to about 3:00pm & I can't take anymore clean volume. with TVC I get about to 1:00pm max..
        
        Re: What is the Z-out Rating? - nguyenchiro@yahoo.com 12:46:21 09/26/06 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: What is the Z-out Rating? posted by JANDG on September 21, 2006 at 19:09:15:
        
        Hi Everyone,
        I just modded my Dac Ah by replacing the output capacitors with Sonicraft 1.0/1200VDC parallel with Allen Bradley 100Ohm resistor. The Dac sounds sweet at the top with more resolution. The grainy high and overhanged bass are gone in a week break-in. My next step is to try bypassing the opamps with 2x 2uF(using PIO NOS West-Caps)and power supply that JANDG showed me how to do. Will see how does the Ah sound differently. Thanks.

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