Soekris dac1421

To your last question: at 0 dBFS (volume knob bypassed), the gain staging is such that loud or upward-compressed material might result in occasional clipping. If you want to avoid this, engage the volume knob and drop the output by something like -1 to -3 dB. See this post and the subsequent one.

To each of your first 3 questions - try the alternatives and see! I haven't tried any of the DIY filters, but if you want to use them or just ensure you have the latest from Soekris, there are tips for loading them in this thread.

 

1 & 2 - Just try it. I used optical for convenience after I didn't hear a huge difference in the sound on my setup. Didn't do it on my own, but I have heard some other people's filters they have updated into the DAC (the same port used to update firmware).
3 - filters - I mostly used "light off", occasionally "green".

clipping - yes, just lower your volume enough for it to stop - unfortunately one of the few downsides of the Soekris DAC. When I had a 1421, I lowered it -10 to -20 for more swing in the volume knob on whatever amp. It SLIGHTLY decreased sound quality and added the tiniest bit of background noise and haze, but IMO once again it comes down to "try it" and see which one bothers you less. Also, IIRC, there were 3 or 4 levels of SQ decrease - no decrease at 0, least decrease between -1 and -20-something, more decrease between -20something and -40something or -50something, and most decrease between -40/50 something and minimum. Although these are relative, absolute decrease even at -60 or whatever wasn't very much at all. Granted, my memory is fuzzy on all of this so I may be wrong about the numbers or new firmware may have fixed this already.

 

To avoid the clipping light goes on (it's very sensitive), turn the volume down 1-3 dB and then lock it, see manual for details.

 

I’ve had the Soekris 1421 for a month or so and I use spdif with filters off. I do really like it…but for kicks, I assembled an inexpensive 4 foot power cord to replace the 8 foot, and maybe 18 gauge cord that came with it. I used a section of 2 conductor 14 gauge stranded cable, with an unshielded flexible rubber exterior, nothing special. I did use a Furutech connector along with a standard commercial style plug. I am really astounded by the improvement ($75), and would highly recommend this upgrade.

 

power cords not snakeoil, confirmed. (in case you were thinking i was being cheeky, i'm not, you get a blacker bg, and w it, better dynamics as well as other subtle changes for the better with a nice 10 or 14AWG copper cable. furutech connectors cherry on top.)

 

Any undesirable reflections in your post were undetected. I noticed afterwards that the Furutech C7 would take up to 12 AWG, so I might have got a smidge better, but hard to imagine it. Thinking ‘bout a dedicated line there too.