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Success Rolling Opamps in EE Minimax DAC

I'll try to reign in my nearly unbridled enthusiasm for a recent uber-economical tweak, rolling Opamps in the Eastern Electric Minimax DAC.

On encouragement of Chris and Melissa Owens from Clarity Cable I swapped them out (note; this voids the warranty!), with resounding success. A more powerful upgrade per dollar in decades of messing with systems and tweaks does not come to mind.

My brief instructional discussion on this experience appears at Dagogo.com

http://dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=841
douglas_schroeder
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. Glad you are enjoying the upgrade.

But there's more to come; watch for another Audio Blast article. It gets better, much better.

In its stock form the Minimax has been well received, including one Product of the Year award. Yet, even reviewers do not know the potential of this DAC. I've been able to take it far past the normal operation and will share my experiences.

This DAC is very special. :)
njs
30 posts
 
Doug, you have my nomination for the audiophile "tease of the year" award for 2011 (so far).

Have you ever considered writing for Stereophile?

;)
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
Njs, Wow, I'm in the lead early on! But don't worry, someone will post/write a hyperbolic, way over the top declaration which will far surpass mine. I'm glad some people are finding I'm not overstating the cause for excitement.

Part of the "teaser" issue is that this project stretched out over time more than I thought it would. Initially I thought it would be one article, one experience. However, it's been developing into a more comprehensive study of the effects of Opamps, so I'm keeping interest alive until all the parts of the Audio Blast are in place. It would be a shame to have what I consider a breakthrough and have it sit unnoticed.

I haven't thought much about writing for an audiophile print magazine. Perhaps I should start one. ;)
grodri02
3 posts
 
Thanks for all you time and effort. Cant wait to hear the news considering I just placed an order for one (very first DAC for my new jolida tube int. amp). For the meantime, I will be enjoying it when I do get it.

Doug, what tube are you using with you DAC?
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
At the moment I'm not using anything exotic, just the stock 12AU7 tube. The reason is that for testing Opamps I felt it would be far more beneficial to use the stock unit's tube as opposed to an alternative. If I use the stock unit in testing Opamps the results are applicable universally, versus for a subset of those who roll tubes.

I've got a couple others but no time now to work with them post-Opamp rolling.
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