Vintage DACs

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Luckbad, Apr 26, 2016.

  1. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Too bad I already use my Ethernet jack for internet access.
     
  2. MrTie

    MrTie Friend

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    I picked up a problem child PS Audio Ultralink II(Ultra Analog D20400a/AES-21) for $50 , I'm about to drop it off at a shop to get looked at. So I hope to join this thread soon.
     
  3. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Hopefully it's not the DAC module or digital input chip themselves that are going bad...
     
  4. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    The ua2000 chip at least should be obtainable from PCX but IIRC they charge a good amount.
     
  5. MrTie

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    Yeah the AES21 is $150 from PCX and the D20400A is $250. I don't think it's the AES-21, it syncs/locks to all inputs, and will pass through digital just fine. it won't output anything from the analogs, but it's also clicking over the muting relays in the analog section, so I'm hoping the issue is power/output stage related. That said I lack a any schematic or a scope, so I'm kinda unable to dig much further into it , I couldn't find any obviously burnt components or swelled caps.
     
  6. MrTie

    MrTie Friend

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    Dropped off, fingers crossed that it's not the f'ing D20400a module.
     
  7. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    You're in for a treat! (provided they can fix it).

    Mine died at work recently. 4 power outage in 15mn killed it.
    Same symptoms as you describe...
     
  8. MrTie

    MrTie Friend

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    @Clemmaster I have seen you briefly mention the unit on headfi before. Any thoughts on the unit during your ownership, have you ever compared it to a Gungnir Multibit multibit? That is about my highest owned DAC reference point. If I get this one up and running I'll let you know what they figured out if it ends up being any help. I figured I'm ok with budgeting up to $300 to fix the unit as they tend to sell for $3-400 in working order. Thankfully the aes21 and the D20400a are still source-able @ PCX.
     
  9. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    guys what would be your opinions on the parasound d/ac 1000? How do they sound compared to 4490 modi2 uber and would they be a better option than 4490 M2U?
     
  10. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I'd go for the Modi. Parasound needs mods to sound at its best.
     
  11. MrTie

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    Ultralink II ended up a bust, found a Theta DSPro Gen II though. It's shipping today so I look forward to giving impressions and taking some internal photos.
     
  12. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    Was it the D20400a?
     
  13. MrTie

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    it was a 20400a yes, PS has no info on this dac, no schema exists, rumors in deep digging was, it was designed by theta for PS audio, but this dates well back into the early 90s. A schematic exists for the Ultralink I but nothing for the II. I'm either going to sell it for parts on ebay, or keep it for a balanced diy dac project someday, it's a nice chassis.
     
  14. MrTie

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    sorry I misunderstood I have no clue to tell if it's the actual 20400a that is bad or what. It powers up, it sync and it will pass digital on all inputs bot no analog output.
     
  15. MrTie

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    [​IMG]
     
  16. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

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    Theta squad represent.
     
  17. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    Belkin PureAV PF60 represent... I also snagged one of those a few months back.

    And yeah, that Theta is very pretty. I usually only see the black chassis.
     
  18. MrTie

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    Yeah silver seems much less common for that era of theta, kinda schiit in reverse. I've had my Belkin for years got it on close out for something like $100. Not much of a power believer but it's a very nice central power bar for my rack and looks nice.

    Initial impressions:

    Immediately after power on.
    This thing sounds good, a little V shaped though compared memories of the Gungnir Multibit. Extremely good detail retrieval, punchy as hell bass. Highs seems a bit aggressive/harsher than modern r2r.

    Left it on and went to baseball game.

    Harshness is chilling out now, detail retrieval is fantastic, sound staging is quite excellent. Working on memory but this thing seriously doesn't give much up on the Gungnir Multibit and it feels like it has MORE balls. I will definitely be recapping this unit sooner rather than later and hopes of extending it's life. This thing is Killer for the money I have into it. I will give more impressions in a weekish when I have a better handle on it.
     
  19. MrTie

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    [​IMG]


    This thing makes the ultralink II look TINY. Poor lonely empty spot for balanced output boards.
     
  20. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Except for the case arrangement, it looks nothing like the Gen V :eek:

    I like that the power supplies are on the flip side of the chassis :cool:
     

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