I believe you would like the Berkeley which is very special. This is what I use with mine. I have tried a few others, not necessarily all the ones you have named. |
Hi to all. Can you please advise as to the best way to convert my Core Audio mod'd Mac-Mini's USB output into s/pdif to work with the CF DAC?
I have found:
-M2tech hi face 2
-Berkeley Audio Alpha USB converter
-Audiophilleo 1 or 2
-JohnKenny USB to spdif
And I'm sure there are others.
I don't love the idea of extra cables and do-dads in between my source and my DAC; although I certainly get that some of the do-dads will make the sound better. But the CF has piqued my curiosity and I am motivated to audition it in my system.
Also, is there a mod to get a true balanced out from the CF DAC? |
Sorry, not gold pins! Getting muddled! |
Hello all,
To further experiences with Tubes used in the DAC040, I have recently been using Nos Tesla ECC802s, in both the DAC & CF 080LSX2 Pre-amplifier. Teajay, I know you also use this Pre, so do try this pair, and even the Tesla's in DAC only, the sound is truly open, immediate and there.. They are often available, I have samples with yellow label and gold pins, and have some more due in soon too bought for around $65/£40 pair.
So far, this is a favourite tubes selection with CF outputs stages..
Best Regards, and a prosperous 2014 to you all..
Paul. |
You are welcome, good luck with the search, and do try nos 12BH7, simply wonderful.. Your cable should do well, I have not used these myself, but i'm sure that it will be doing a good job. The calmness you mention is vital, I search for un-hysterical qualities when testing new pieces..
Seasons greetings to you all ;-)
Paul. |
Hi Paul
Thank you very much for your clarifying answer.
Highly apreciated !
I live in Oslo/ Norway.
My present digital cable is a Synergistics Research Designer reference 2.
A big (and rather old) brute. With active shielding. 60 cm long.
I remember from when I installed it, a great sense of 'solidity' and 'calmness''.
Both qualities that makes music easier to listen to.
Best regards. Ola |
Hello Lyd4711,
Thank you. Mullard 6Ca4 is good as rectifier, I have tried several, but each time Mr Mullard just fits. I use this in pre 080 also.
12AU7
There are some really good sounding tubes out there, and I agree, sifting through anecdotal evidence can be tiring. For me, in my system, I like the following: Mazda 6189 (french) which is very neutral, clean and transparent. ECC802s, telefunken, very very sweet, but costly, beware of silly asking prices here. Finally, I use a 12BH7 vintage Sylvania. This is wonderful, full bodied and sweet, open and clear as a bell. However, Masataka recommends caution with any other than 12AU7. I have no problems at all.
Where are you based?
Also, I recently produced a new version of our Digital cable, 40cm long, and I hear detail beyond belief, precision in space and depth have shifted to a new plane, so do try a short RCA digital IC if possible.
Best Regards,
Paul. |
Hi Paul
I understand that you have a great deal of Concert Fidelity understanding.
I'm strugling through a 'tube' forest as we speak. Trying to find the best alternative for my 040 DAC. (what I have is OK, but one has to try !)
In your experience, should I look further than Mullard as rectifier ?
Secondly; the 12AU7 jungle is dens !
And I'm saturated with suggestions on the net.
What's your take ? (I'm not realy scares about prices)
Any help would be highly apreciated !
Best regards. Ola |
Hi Lyd4711,
That is great to hear, I know you will enjoy many fine hours of pure music!
Best Regards,
Paul. |
Hi; After careful planning, and reading this thread, I have landed on the following setup: Sonos (modified by Dr. Gert Volk) - CF DAC 040 and the onwards. I stream lossless from WIMP (similar library as Spotify, but in lossless). The end result is MAGNIFICENT in my humble opinion, and the selection of music is satisfying. HiRez is fine, but mostly I find the music selection of little interest. The pleasure of jumping to WIKI and finding new music and then play it in lossless over DAC 040 opens up a brand new world. Thank you very much to the good people, who's shared info on this thread, and helped me to achieve MY musical Nirvana !!
Best regards. Ola |
Hi TeaJay,
thank you so much for your precious update.
All the best, |
Hello everybody,
I have recently received many E-mails regrading my post on my impressions of the new battery powered version of the Concert Fidelity DAC-040. There seems to be either a misunderstanding or a distortion of my position by these readers of what I wrote. So, let me be as clear as possible:
1) The upgrade of the battery power supply took the CF DAC-040, that I believe is one of the finest if not the most musical redbook DAC on the market today, to even a higher level of performance. The major changes were in the areas of transparency, decay trails, even more liquidity and an ease to the overall sonic perspective, slightly more air and extension on top and finally a touch more refinement in the layering of the sound stage and the position of players on the stage.
2) Yes, the above stated are real improvements, however these are refinements of what the CF DAC-040 already offered at a very high level, so it's an evolution of this piece, not a revolution. However, this seems to have been misinterpreted by some folks that the battery powered power supply upgrade was not a step up in performance of the DAC when I clearly stated that it was. Remember, when you start at the reference level of performance that the CF DAC-040 offered already the changes are subtle not whole sale differences, because if they were that would imply something was quite left out or was wrong to begin with in the piece.
3) Mr. Tsuda will never make a change in his pieces unless he believes/hears that it leads to a higher degree of refinement and musicality. Unlike other companies that come out with a new generation very quickly because they did not take the time to get it right the first time when they released their product or it is time to promote their "latest and greatest" for marketing proposes, Concert Fidelity and Mr. Tsuda over time keeps working on refinement and the evolution of the performance of his gear. So, when he comes out with an upgrade to his pieces they really do offer a qualitative improvement.
Well, I hope the above stated comments clear up any misunderstandings of my original statements regarding the new version of the CF DAC-040. My system with the non battery powered version of this DAC still provides me with a wonderful musical experience every day. However, as soon as it's in my budget, I will be purchasing the new battery powered version to get the refinements it has to offer to me in my system. |
Thanks Teajay, I'll check them out.. |
Hello to everybody on this thread,
For my website hometheaterreview.com where I'm a staff reviewer I have been going through a very extensive reviewing process on racks, footers, and isolation platforms. So far their has been a very big winner regarding replacing the stock footers on the CF DAC-040 to beautifully increase its performance in such areas as transparency/micro-details, more overall liquidity, tighter more extended bass, a larger more precisely layered sound stage.
The footers that created these beautiful changes are from the company Krolo Design, they come in sets of three and are very reasonable priced at $250.00. Mr Tsuda has always said that the stock tubes/footers is just to get you started and to experiment with footers/isolation devices to achieve ultimate performance. Regardless of what rack or isolation platform I used the Krolo footers on I got the same great results, with no negatives at all. If you own this DAC I highly recommend you audition these footers as soon as you can. |
Hi Teajay & All,
Glad to hear that you got to test the BD DAC recently, also to hear that you consider the improvements to be an evolution of the standard model. I agree that night and day is not a good term, as you say the standard dac is extremely good anyway, just the extra air and top end extension is easy to hear..
We are going to be running a fairly large room at the UK National Audio Show this september with the full CF line up, using my recently acquired MBL 1621a as transport, and TAD CR1's which I'm certain will provide a very involving sound. Masa Tsuda is to visit the UK for the show too - what a privilege!!
KR,
Paul. |
Great feedback as always Teajay. I have been speaking with PS68 who runs the Concert Fidelity and is a dealer, so great to read your own feedback. |
Hi TeaJay,
thank you so much for your feedback!
All the best,
Piermauro |
Hello Guys,
Last night I finally got to audition the CF-040 with the new battery based power supply along with the original DAC in an all Concert Fidelity based system.
No, the difference is not night and day, it does not "blow" away the older model, it's an evolution not a revolution and I did not want to throw out my CF-040 when I got home to listen to my system.
Here's what I heard: 1) More liquidity and ease without losing dynamics. 2) More extension and air/details on the top end. 3) A bit more image density.
So, congrats to CF for further refining a world class piece and taking it to even a higher level of performance then the last generation of this DAC. |
Hello,
No, DAC 040 has hand built transformer to match your country's voltage rating. It is very high quality WB transformer.
Best Rgds,
Paul. |
Does 040 have universal voltage or can it be user switched? |
At first you hear a much quieter background as if the noise floor has been lowered. Perhaps RFI and EMI gremlins are lessened in the source playback chain. Frequency extremes are extended. The bass is deeper and more organic. Tonal purity, accuracy and definition are superbly rendered as well as soundstage width and depth. It's as if the source has "slowed" ever so slightly to allow every aspect of source reproduction to be improved. Digital becomes softer, sweeter, more involving and far, far less mechanical sounding. The battery upgrade is not subtle-you will hear it's effects immediately. The BD upgrade takes a superb DAC to a significantly higher level of playback enjoyment. |
Absolutely, I have been trialling an Esoteric K-03 as potential transport this last week, which works very well with the DAC040BD in fact, but in comparison with the internal dac of the K-03, the CF/BD is in another league. In comparison to the SACD section, redbook cd (DAC040BD) is very very close, more organic and less fatiguing, but with hugely impressive dynamics. Playing Ivan Fisher/Budapest PO Mahler's 1st Symphony yesterday was no less than absolutely spectacular, the weight and scale, seriously thunderous LF, truly amazing. |
Masa's battery upgrade to the 040 DAC is a major performance upgrade to an already World Class DAC. If you have his original DAC, you know how good it is! The battery upgrade will astound you as to how much better digital can be! I would urge all users of the original DAC to receive this battery upgrade-you will not be disappointed. |
That's good to hear as I've not ventured into computer audio so far, though I believe that a CF USB-SPdif convertor may be introduced at some point..
Angus, how did this compare with the best transport you have available?
Best rgds,
Paul. |
Hello Agriculturist,
We had a similar experience with the inexpensive Hegel HD2 reclocker. There may be better converters, but it works great with the DAC-040!
We do sell both Hegel and CF.
Archon |
Hullo:
I would like to mention for those who might be interested, that, at the recommendation of someone who sold me his CF DAC-040, I have been using a John Kenny Ciunas converter to re-clock the digital output from my Mac Mini before sending it to the DAC-040. This exercise has succeeded far beyond my expectations, and the sound I have started enjoying from decent CDs easily rivals what I hear from my very good turntable and cartridge. No way for me to tell what many of you are getting by using your CD transports, but the computer option can work very well too with DAC-040.
Regards |
Gents,
I'm looking forward to your experiences with this also..
Have fun.. |
Hey, my brother Mike,
I'm quite curious as you know to hear the latest upgrade regarding the CF DAC-040. So, of course I'll write up our experience regarding this generation DAC's sonic changes/improvements. We both agree that we still have not heard a better DAC on redbook and we have heard a lot of the highly regarded pieces that are acclaimed by others. |
Great posts guys!
We have a CF DAC 040 BD on order and should be here in about month. Once received, we will post about differences between the BD and non-BD versions as we will also have them side by side.
Heck, maybe if I ask nicely Teajay will even come over and do his own mini review :o)
- Note - We are an authorized CF dealer
Audio Archon |
Hi All,
the upgrade cost sounds too expansive (IMO).
Best regards,
Piermauro |
Hi Cyrus,
Unplug and let valves cool if needed, unscrew top cover with 2mm hex supplied, look at the rear upright PCB, right hand side, lower edge, it will be printed there..
Link below to image of the location, albeit this is the 080 Pre.
[URL=http://s431.photobucket.com/user/PRSRDS/media/CF%20080LSX2/080LSX2-7_zps74879f2a.jpg.html] |
Ps68, How do you determine if the dac is V1.0 or V1.5? |
Hi Fluffers,
Welcome.. Yes, the DAC has to be returned to Japan, this upgrade is not user installable at all, it involves new circuits and very high precision fitting and testing. With regards to the used DAC040, try to establish whether it is V1.0, or V1.5. Both can be upgraded though. V1.5 is newer version. Are you US based?
Cost is set by your country distributor, and will be around $3500 for the upgrade without AC back up, and $5500 for a complete rebuild to current spec, inc AC back up. This will involves replacement of everything except the chassis and HV power supply board. If you combine the full rebuild cost with the used price of the local DAC040, you may well end up with one of the very best 16bit DA convertors around, the upgrade is simply stunning. I have both units side by side, the BD is a significant development!
Let us know what you decide, happy to help..
Best Rgds,
Paul. |
gents- I am looking at a preowned dac -040- How much is the upgrade and do you have to send it back to the factory- On a side note I am also looking at the 080 pre- Since My ATC 100's run xlr would it be a problem using a xlr/rca converter- thanks- I currently am running the Ayon cd-5 and assume that the CF will smoke it???- thanks |
Paul: Thanks for the info. Good to know about the upgrade.
Hasan |
|
Hello Hasan,
Congrats on your choice of DAC, welcome to the elite!
With regard to tube selection in this dac, it is very hard to say which would sound better to you out of your choices, and replicating what worked well in your headphone amp would not necessarily offer similar results in the dac. Trial is the only real way of knowing I'm afraid, but this is trivially easy in this piece anyway. My current preference is for Mazda 6189 or the Tung Sol 12BH7. Sometimes the BH7 is a little congested, so for rock etc it is great because it has a deep and strong bottom end, with real punch. The 6189 gives a slightly more balanced output, very refined and holographic, great for jazz, classical, and pretty much anything really. I use the Mazda 6189 in the CF080LSX2 pre amp also.
With regard to actually using the BH7, there are some differences to AU7's, and you are perfectly correct, Masa Tsuda does recommend AU7 in this piece, but BH7 is ok, it won't cause any harm.. However, Masa Tsuda is 'the man', an audio designer and manufacturer that I have unending respect for!
In addition, the upgrade to this DAC of a battery to power the dac chip itself is nothing short of astonishing. Sublime is a word that keeps appearing in my head when i'm listening to it, clarity, transparency, tonality and depth of the soundstage have all been helped with this implementation, as have dynamics. It seems that you are 'exposed' to the recording more and are delving deeper into the event that took place in the studio, concert hall or wherever. I'm now very curious to test it with a top level transport such as the MT or Zanden as Lloyd knows:-))
Best Rgds,
Paul. |
Hi Hasan,
thank you so much for your advice.
BR, |
Hi:
FYI, to those who might be considering the use of 12bh7a/12bh7 tubes as I had been, I was just informed by Mr. Tsuda himself that these are not recommended for the DAC-040. BTW I am now using some Tung Sol 12AU7s and they are certainly very much to my taste.
Hasan |
Hullo:
I am a complete novice in the use and rolling of of tubes. But I too am lucky enough to have one of these wonderful CF DAC-040s. I notice that some people are using Tung Sol 12AU7, 12bh7 or 12bh7a with it. I have found the Tung Sol 5670 to work very well with my headphone amp (Elekit TU88 AS) and am substantially preferring the tonality Tung Sol to other 5670s, such as Sylvania Gold Brand 5670s on it. Does that mean I would quite possibly prefer the Tung Sol 12AU7 or 12bh7 or 12bh7a on the CF-040 relative to the Sylvania Gold Pin Gold Brand 12AU7? Would anyone on this forum have recommendations that I could use in this regard? For example, Paul, I saw your comment from October last year about Tung Sol. Any ideas anyone has for enhancing my enjoyment of this great DAC would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Hasan |
Congrats Paul! Look forward to reading more! |
I can say already that dynamics, along with the transparency that this DAC is known for have taken a big step forward, note formation is also very good now, the difference is not so subtle here!
I will add more when time with BD 040 evolves!
Best,
P. |
Hi Paul,
great news!! I can't wait.. :))
All the best,
Piermauro |
Hi Paul,
I just installed Stillpoints Ultra Vs under my speakers. Great stuff. Look forward to speaking shortly. |
Wow, congratulations Lloyd, you kept that quiet;-))
Could be an interesting comparison, I think the Zanden / CF could be well worth a shoot out?? I'll keep you posted, need to get the speaker isolation plinths produced in the next week or so, then I can get stuck in, your welcome to join in!
P. |
definitely look forward to reading about your observations! Enjoy! At some point, as discussed offline, would love to have a listen. I recently made a big move and found a complete, 2nd hand set (latest spec) Zanden 4-box. Having learned to switch out all the tubes to various NOS versions, and add a lot of HRS/EAT Tube damping isolation...it remains my favorite digital beyond Scarlatti, Stahl-Tek, Metronome Kalista Ref/C2A, Wadia...but i respect what everyone has said here about this DAC. |
Just a brief update: the upgrade to the DAC040 is complete and I now have a sample here for testing :-))
Installation will be over this weekend, initial listening won't be until Sunday evening due to commitments but I'll be sure to post when the unit is settled and doing it's thing..
Best,
Paul. |
Piermauro,
It may be worth emailing CF direct for info if you do not hear back soon..
Best Rgds,
Paul. |
Thank you so much indeed for your kind and fast reply Paul. I contacted the Italy's distributor some days ago and I'm waiting for the answer.
I'm looking forward to know your impression on the upgrade ;-)
Best regards,
Piermauro |
Piermauro, Hello..
Today I received news from Japan that the upgrade is on final test, Tsuda-San is very thorough. It is not user upgradeable though, there is a new circuit added. Does Italy's distributor have some info for you?
All being well, the first UK sample will arrive late January, I promise comparison!
Again, best Regards..
Paul. |
