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I would agree. Have you done a loopback RMAA measurement on your soundcard? Look at that and see how much of that is contributing to what you are seeing here. Sites like diyaudio.com would be useful as to where to go if you decide to stick with this DAC and upgrade it. Recapping the PSU caps, replacing the rectifiers with Shottky diodes, etc. might be a place to start. Redoing the output stage with something like a Pass D1 stage would also be a consideration.

Doubtful on the AC noise on one channel...

Happy Birthday Nate! Hope you have a great one!

Happy Birthday Craig!

Thanks for the info on finishes Kevin, Steve, and Craig! I've often wondered what the differences between shellac, varnish, neither of which I see much, and the polyurethanes etc. that I am most familiar with were. Craig, I had run across the denatured alcohol terminology before (can't remember for what), from a UK bike decals supplier advising me to use "meths" to clean the area before application. Having been watching "Breaking Bad" on TV (about a chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer), I wasn't quite sure what he was asking me to get

I'm not sure they are even discussing it there yet. I'll be waiting for the usual "Yeah, Spritzer, we know if it isn't Gilmore, its shit" response when you finally do get a crack in

Doesn't appear to have enough relays to be doing a relay-based stepped attenuator. Digital volume control? I'm sure they wouldn't be using a shunted differential pot such as this

Yes, that is very nice Shelly.

^ I'm sure you are quite experienced at rectifying that problem!

Happy Birthday Naaman!

^ Yes, ordered. Thanks.

Still don't think any output should use male pins, too much chance of shorting them. But I guess if this is industry (commercial sound) standard for XLRs it is kind of hard to change at this point. At least they didn't go with some goofy video camera connector or other.

How about just put the right jacks on it? They should make the female jacks standard. I'm not real familiar with balanced jack conventions, but the initial pic looked wrong to me...

Congratulations to you and you wife Ryan! Beautiful baby!

Deepak, The guy I bought my Pass Aleph P pre from has a set of Aleph 2 monoblocks that he was also going to sell. He was very reputable, can give you his contact info if you like. He may still have them.

Sure it isn't Lumberg? Looking them over, they do have receptacles with male pins, but not the same form factor. Kycon has some in the same form factor, but female pins. You couldn't switch it and the plug over?

I'd forgotten Oki is (or bought) Metcal... those are nice. My Hakko works fine for me though. I have a 3.2mm chisel tip that I use for anything large, and for most desoldering chores.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Ooops, forgot that one. And it's Jena Actually, my post didn't come out quite right, as it was really directed at Shelly, but I guess you figured that out.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

^ don't forget to check on how may decades you need to run them in at 120dB before they are broken in as well, Steve...

Hope these work out and you enjoy them Shelly!

Great that you were able to get out Nate! hadn't heard that one before...