Olli1324:
These mods, from the looks of things, they 'upgrade' only 1 output? Edit: yes, looking at mine,this upgrade is specific to the variable output.
Yeah, I thought that, so I posted a question in the modding thread started by Stanley himself on another forum. Here's my question
PJPro
I'm just about to perform Mod21 and Mod21pt2. Clearly, the mods are to the output stage. So, will the upgrade effect the variable output only or will the fixed output be similarly upgunned? How about the headphone amp? I'm assuming the headphone amp is located adjacent to the volume pot so the performance through headphones will not change.
Thanks for clarifyng this for me.
and the reply....
jgarner71
Hi PJ. Those mods will affect all output for the 7510. Fixed, variable, and phones.
This reply has not been challenged, so I assume it is correct. I believe the signal coming out of the DAC chip itself is amplified by the opamp I have just changed. It then is passed out of the other outputs. I didn't think to examine the circuitry while I had it apart!
Olli1324:
I think I am going to have to do this mod... I have sent the Audio Upgrades people an email asking when the Elnas which Trevor recommended will come in stock. Where did you get the Wimas from?ÿ
ÿEdit 2: Nooo... End of June for those Elna caps... I think I'll just wait until then. 'Cos they are cheaper than the Rubycons. And Trevor likes them.
ÿ
I've also had some advice from the moderator and circuit junkie called Leo from the same forum over my selection of parts.
He's what he had to say.....
Leo
Be careful with Rubycon ZA's, their good for digital supply decoupling but used in the signal for blocking DC may be a bit bright and sharp tbh
I asked him to make some recommendations.....
Leo
Ones to usually avoid for blocking DC is very low esr types and things like polymer as these can be electrically leaky and also tend to sound sharp (fine if thats what you want)
I don't have one of these dacs so never had chance to compare but the ones that are usually favoured by the diyer are
Silmic (have a smooth character, slightly warm , some say mellow) usually found on ebay, digikey and some of the online places offering upgrade parts
Panasonic ECA audiograde, the ones in a metalic blue sleeve (similar sounding to above, pretty safe sounding in the extremes ) can be had from Farnell
Blackgate , these are getting scarce now , quite expensive, places like Hificollective, Audiocom etc may still have some
They take an age to burn in (go through the forming process)
Nichicon FG or KZ, well priced but not easy to buy over here, sometimes seen on ebay etc, possibly digikey, not a bad cap for the money
You can also try general purpose available from Maplin etc, considered ***** by the hard core diyer, some will say you can't hear a difference
Technically these will be the worse, poor HF etc
If you can't hear any difference between these and the audio classed ones I wouldn't worry about it
Because these caps have bias voltage on them most should be fine, I'd still avoid very low esr types though with the small exception of Panny FC
So, if I were doing it again I'd go for the Silmic too. You can get them on ebay I believe.