Eastern Electric DAC modification

[merlin]

I have been playing around with DACs for awhile now. D.A.C. is a Digital Analog Converter which allows input from all your digital source e.g. CD Player, PC/Mac, network audio streamer, etc. and convert them to L&R analog output. Hence, Digital to Analog Converter aka DAC. Why use a DAC? It is a good way of enhancing the sound of our old CD /DVD player, Network Audio Player or PC/Mac into audiophile quality sound. It is not without saying they sound bad, adding a DAC simply makes them sound even better.

A good example of an audiophile DAC is one made by Eastern Electric. Like I mentioned above, it uses the digital output from our electronics and convert that signal into 32bit/192khz up sampling rate. Most CD players uses 16bit/48khz chips inside. Right off the bat, you will hear more details from your old CDs by using this high resolution DAC. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of DAC out there. However, the Eastern Electric DAC uses a tube output which makes the "nostalgic" or "romantic", cool in the ears. It is also affordable @$750 beans compared to other audiophile gears out there. Trust me, I have heard DACs in tens and thousands of dollars. The EE DAC is truly a good sounding DAC.

So if you have an old CD Player or if you want your PC/Mac to sound the best they can into your audio system, this is the right way to do it. We use a DAC. Only one caveat: "Garbage in, garbage out" it will not make an MP3 file sound audiophile, it will make a great distinction between the sound of great recordings and poor recording. This hobby can be a love and hate relationship. ;D

Here are a few pictures of what the Eastern Electric DAC looks like in stock form. Later, I will show key upgrades one can do to enhance the sound even more. "Cheap upgrades".


Front


Back


Inputs: This is where we connect all our old CD/DVD players, PC/Mac or Digital Streaming devices.


Inside


EE DAC on top of a CD Player

Thanks for looking and more to come later.

[merlin]

Cheap modifications cont...

The first thing I did was to replace all the coupling caps on the DAC. I also increased the capacitance value to 50%. See original white caps and upgraded yellow capacitors. We are only replacing caps that makes a huge impact on sound.


Original cheap caps




Bigger is actually better here!

So far so good. No fires or smokes.

[merlin]

I have more parts coming for this modification. This is a going to be a great project while I cannot ride my bike. They are all inexpensive parts not costing more than $2-15 bucks. All you need is some basic electronics knowledge, a good soldering station and good soldering techniques.

How would I know if it would sound good? I don't. It is a trial and error. I install one part at at time and evaluate their performance. This is what DIY is so much fun.


CCS Kit (Constant Current Source) for the tube output

[merlin]

Here they are assembled and ready for installation.

[merlin]

Complete board and parts disassembly is required for all upgrades from here on. The designer does not want to share his schematics.

Anyone knows how to trace PCB board

[Prancing Horse]

Very nice Levi! I guess you're bored hehehe, I know how to solder but yours is another level. I'd like to hear the set up when your done.

I guess we'll see you at bike boat bike. Heal well.

[merlin]

It stinks not able to ride on a fine day such as today. When I am done, we can listen to it.

May 11, 2012 20:27:42 GMT -5 Prancing Horse said:

Very nice Levi! I guess you're bored hehehe, I know how to solder but yours is another level. I'd like to hear the set up when your done.

I guess we'll see you at bike boat bike. Heal well.

[ratchet]

Im also interested in listening to a DAC modified music when you're done. Really intrigue on the difference of the two.

Heal up Merlin. See you on the trails.

May 11, 2012 23:54:05 GMT -5 merlin said:

It stinks not able to ride on a fine day such as today. When I am done, we can listen to it.

May 11, 2012 20:27:42 GMT -5 Prancing Horse said:

Very nice Levi! I guess you're bored hehehe, I know how to solder but yours is another level. I'd like to hear the set up when your done.

I guess we'll see you at bike boat bike. Heal well.

[merlin]

Thank you. I will keep everyone updated.

[merlin]

Cascade current kit installed. She is sounding pretty good now. Dynamics surely improved. I also bypassed the volume pot with 50k ohm resistors.

[merlin]

Next step is to increase the capacitance on the power supply voltage rails. This would give it bass solidity and transparency even more.

[Prancing Horse]

Hey Levi, you should go for Electronic Engineering degree after your done with your BSN

[merlin]

Hello Mr Prance, thank you for the complement. I did not change the circuit design except for the CCS Kit. The EE DAC although is a great design, it was built to a price point (below $1K). In order for the designer to achieve that, he used inexpensive parts. In trying to squeeze better sound out of it, I took advantage of upgrading components. Eventually in the end, this DAC will probably be close to $1k, the pleasure of modifying it DIY is the reward. A time well spent for not able to ride. If you open up your CD player or AV Receiver, you can probably see components you can upgrade. That's how I see most things sometimes.

[erwin455]

Nice Levi!!
Can you check my legs and lungs maybe you can upgrade some components in there too?

[merlin]

Thanks! I see that you don't need anymore upgrades.