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Black Gate Cap upgrade on Museatex Bitstream DAC

I'm gettin my DAC back later this week from Johm, it had been built from the ground up 12months ago, but it was just this week the Black Gate caps have been put in. I'm not getting overly excited about it, I'll be suprised if I hear a big jump, but I am anxious if anybody out there has had it done and what the results were?
lush
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Black Gates are a waste of money."

Careful with this advice. There are lots of different Black Gates and lots of different applications. They are certainly not the best at signal coupling, but for LF power decoupling, they are simply the best on the market, assuming you choose the right types and values and install them in the right places.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
manufacturer/modder
lush OP
262 posts
 
John already put them in my DAC, he did it as a favour because one of the orginal were faulty, not because I asked for better caps. I was just curious if they made a difference. I guess I'll find out when I get it and have time to burn it in.
ubglub
76 posts
 
"Ubglub, I know John personally, and own a modified Museatex Transport, he already built the DAC with upgrades last year, but a cap went, I sent it back to him and he put in Black Gate caps I was curious if anybody heard a difference just from the blackgate cap upgrades"

Lush, thanks for clarifying. I didn't know who "John" was in your first post. I also didn't realize he is building new Bitstream DACs from the ground up. After the break-in period let us know if your new BG cap makes an audible difference.
nutella
223 posts
 
A word of caution. The dac is unlistenable for two weeks after the new caps are put in. I would advise against even listening to it until after this point. After that, you'll have one of the finest dacs out there.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Hi Guys,

I bought a Bitstream dac updated to 2005 Data II specs w/ Black Gates and extra power supply mods a few months ago. I actually bought it off another A'Goner, Illia. I am extremely impressed by this dac - it almost analog sounding, in a good way - smooth, natural, detailed. It really closes a lot of the gap between CD & my vinyl rig. I've just got around to trying different Toslink and digital coax cables.

I also have a Melior/Museatex/Meitner CD-D transport that I just picked up. I sent Jon the serial number ,#89, and he mentioned that it was a very old unit. Although, it works flawlessly (for now).

The big question is if it is worth having it upgraded to the C-Lock T Anti-Jitter mod for $250?
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