Grannyring,
You are right my friend, with only a few hours of playing time the impact of the CAST in the DAC is indeed greater.

Right out the box the natural tone and organic character are undeniable.Clarity,transparency,openess and improved dynamic verve are obvious.Time will only improve this virtues.

Shigeki Yamamoto is simply very talented,he got 'very good' natural sound using these small(and likely relatively inexpensive) capacitors.Real world budget considerations do come into play.He openly admits to placing much emphasis on a strong power supply and a simple analog circuit built to sound excellent(he avoids op-amps and NFB).

This formula worked out well as the stock DAC sounds much better than most I`ve heard.The Duelund CAST take this very solid foundation to a higher level,across the sonic board.These CAST caps cost less than many high end cables yet provide(IMO) a more significant improvement than any IC,SC or power cord I`ve heard.

The CAST are a near mandatory recommendation based on my two experiences.They elevate the very good components to the superb level.This Yamamoto with CAST is sounding really wonderful in the background right now.See picture above in system pictures.
Regards

charles1dad December 06, 2012 04:48

Charles, sounds like your DAC is pleasing you even more! You are just starting to experience first hand what can be optimized with a great starting product.

I am now learning about resistors and their impact on sound with a special comparison box I had made to load caps and resistors. I am able to insert these between pre and amp and hear the full signal through them. I will compare resistors and find out which ones are the most open and natural etc... I have a hunch Vishay makes a resistor that may be the CAST of resistors. I am talking about resistors for electronics, not speakers.

Happy to read you like the CAST mod in your DAC. It makes sense as the TOTAL signal is passing through those two caps in the front end of your system.

grannyring December 06, 2012 02:50

Charles, longevity of a system is a sign of wisdom and maturity. I have made impulsive decisions in the past that only led to audio purgatory (the kind that keeps Audiogon busy). One of the smartest things I have heard is to "live" with a piece of gear for at least a year, particularly speakers, before you sell.

Ironically, I have yet to hear my Dude with Duelands. It is on the way back from Paul at TRL. I have a vintage Onkyo pre-amp borrowed from a friend running the ST-100s, and I am getting surprisingly good sound.

The room is still a work in progress (a lot of work!). A formal reveal will probably be in the spring. Bill Grannyring Dion actually made it down to Charlotte on business and was able to hear it. It was a lot of fun. Bill is a true gentleman and an incredible asset to Audiogon, although his wife has taken to lampooning his pursuits (http://www.theaudiophileswife.com/).

Finally, Charles, you may have read this article already, but it is very apropos to your system and findings: http://www.stereophile.com/features/203/index.html

agear December 06, 2012 00:10

Agear,
I heard the Dude linestage last year in my system. I could imagine that with the Duelund CAST in place of the stock capacitor it will be fantastic.Good decision IMO.
Do you plan to post a system page? I`d like to see it.
Regards,

charles1dad December 05, 2012 13:36

Agear,
I really appreciate Grannyring`s input and experience.I tend to keep my componemts for years(prior system was intact for 15 years). I enjoy my current SET system so much(over 3 years now).If using premium level capacitors can further improve what I already love,hey,why not. The Duelund CAST cost is far less than constantly chasing after different components. All I want is beautiful and natural music reproduction in my home,the Duelund CAST(in my speakers) contributed to this goal quite nicely.I hope they have the same very noticable benefit in my DAC.

Regards,

charles1dad December 05, 2012 13:23

Grannyring the evangelist. Good stuff. Thanks to Bill, I have Duelands going into my Dude.

You guys can also consider mechanical grounding of xovers and transformers with Starsound audiopoints. I mounted my Fried xover on a brass plate that was affixed to small brass spikes. Noticeable difference. Starsound claims the mod produces a measurable difference.

agear December 04, 2012 19:57

Hey Charles,

Thank you for your reply.

Please, let me know if you discovered a "black swan" with the Duelunds inside the Yamamoto DAC.

Regards,

Daniel

jesusa0 December 04, 2012 19:37

Look forward to your comments.

grannyring December 04, 2012 18:56

I got an unexpected surprise today,the Duelund CAST were delivered this morning. Apparently Parts ConneXion had them in stock (yesterday they said a few weeks to ship).
I`ll have them installed into the Yamamoto DAC in a few days and will post early impressions of what I hear.
Regards,

charles1dad December 04, 2012 18:23

Hi Daniel,
Here`s the deal, I`ve owned my Yamamoto for nearly 3 years and really enjoy it. The output caps in the analog circuit are pretty decent quality polypropylenes.Shigeki-Sans is able to get very good sound with these caps.

The Duelund CAST is just a better capacitor and putting it into the DAC at an important location should lead to improvement(theory I`ll admit).It worked that way for the speaker, why not the source?I`ll get them in about 4 weeks per supplier.I`ll post what I hear.
Regards,

charles1dad December 03, 2012 23:05

I do think you're a perfect candidate!

grannyring December 03, 2012 20:26

Hey Charles,

Daniel from Spain.

I´m anxious to hear more about the upgrading of Yamamoto YDA-01 output caps. Right now listening to the Yamamoto Dac myself.

Regards,

jesusa0 December 03, 2012 20:23

Grannyring,
I don`t prefer or want artificial warmth. Acoustic instruments and human voices have enough without need for 'addition'. If resolution is indeed true then I`ll simply hear more of the full instruments i.e. natural-organic character with less veiling.

Many components touted as high resolution and detail are`nt IMO and just emphasize certain aspects of sound and 'hyper detail' is a fake and clinical result(I`m not seeking that).I`ve found the CAST to be the epitome of 'natural' warm,full body and accurate tone, this matches my system`s present character and objectives.The Yamamoto like the Coincident components are quite transparent and very clear(no fuzziness or pleasing yet added warmth).

Given my outcome with CAST in the speakers I`m confident of its placement in the DAC`s very simple analog circuit.If your components already sound good- very good the CAST should advance them further(giving them something to work with in other words).

I`ll place my order today,the current special pricing is a blessing.
Regards,
Charles,

charles1dad December 03, 2012 20:04

Yes, those are your output caps and the ones to replace. Now, will the CAST improve the sound? They should be a nice improvement Charles, but you must always leave room for the small chance that you like what's there better. Remember, the CAST is more resolving and perhaps you like a little fuzz for warmth.....

At some point, and to some ears, more resolution is not always wanted. CAST caps are not unnatural and have great tone and really get out of the way, but again they are more resolving.

grannyring December 03, 2012 18:50

Grannyring,
Shigeki Yamamoto sent an email this morning.The two output caps are 1uF/250v. Grannyring I trust your opinion.Before I place an order I want to be sure these are the right caps to replace for best sound improvement in this DAC`s circuit.
Regards,

charles1dad December 03, 2012 13:47

Hi Brett,
I`ve determined that the Duelund CAST if used in the right situations is a no brainer improvement.The CAST in my speaker is really something.
In theory the impact in my source(DAC) may have a larger impact on overall system sound,oh boy!

I emailed Shigeki Yamamoto for the output cap values(the caps are covered in a casing so I can`t see the # markings).If I don`t here from him then it`s on to plan B, have a tech measure the cap`s value.It`s worth the effort.
Regards,

charles1dad December 02, 2012 05:15

Charles,
I have been much enjoying the reading of your cap improvements almost as much as you enjoy listening to them.
I agree that improving your source is a very well worthy and redeeming effort.

isochronism December 02, 2012 04:43

Looking at the pics and reviews online. Just pop the top off and take a look at those black caps to read the value. It should be printed along the side.

I use a magnifying glass as my reading eyes are bad after Lasic surgery.
I read that these caps may have a black sheath over them. May need to pull off the cover....may not....to read the printed value.

grannyring December 01, 2012 13:56

Grannyring,
I wonder if the tube and SS versions use the same output capacitor of 1uf. Where did you get this information? Thanks.

charles1dad December 01, 2012 13:46

The smaller value CAST caps for electronics are all 630vdc and Parts Connexion has a great sale. The value will be printed on the cap. The tube version on your dac uses 1uf.

grannyring December 01, 2012 13:05

Grannyring,
Thanks for the vital information.If those two output caps are the most significant ones to replace I`ll have to get their correct values.

In this DAC would I need the high(630v) or lower voltage version of the CAST caps? As good as this Yamamoto sounds I have to think the CAST would bring even more improvement as this is the "source" of the signal.Duelund caps were out of the question as "stock" caps given the DAC`s retail price point target. So this is an opprotunity to upgrade an important component part.
Regards,
Charles,

charles1dad December 01, 2012 12:37

Thanks Charles. The two black caps on the board right in front of the RCA's are the ones to look at. They should be your output caps. You would only have two feeding the RCA outputs. Are the RCA jacks behind the caps the outputs? I bet they are.

I am speaking of the larger black caps that look rather plain on the board right in front of the RCA jacks. The values you are looking for would be small, 1uf or smaller for this dac. You would have two only - one per channel.

The board has 4 screws to remove. De-solder the caps from underneath with the board lifted. The Duelund CAST caps at Parts Connecxion have the same two wires on one end of the cap and will fit wonderfully.

If they are to tall or wide, I don't think so, then simply place the caps inthe large free space area by running wires from the board over to the caps.

Fun mod and looks easy in your unit. You can certainly confirm with the builder.

grannyring December 01, 2012 01:47

Yes those black caps (actually black covered caps) are your output caps and are very, very important. The total signal passes through them just before going out the rca's. Change those! They may have a black stealth covering the printing..

You also have some yellow film caps of pretty average quality on the larger board. These are 1uf and they may be looked at. They will not be as important as the black output caps however.

grannyring December 01, 2012 01:47

Thanks Charles. The two black caps on the board right in front of the RCA's are the ones to look at. They should be your output caps. You would only have two feeding the RCA outputs. Are the RCA jacks behind the caps the outputs? I bet they are.

I am speaking of the larger black caps that look rather plain on the board right in front of the RCA jacks. The values you are looking for would be small, 1uf or smaller for this dac. You would have two only - one per channel.

The board has 4 screws to remove. De-solder the caps from underneath with the board lifted. The Duelund CAST caps at Parts Connecxion have the same two wires on one end of the cap and will fit wonderfully.

If they are to tall or wide, I don't think so, then simply place the caps inthe large free space area by running wires from the board over to the caps.

Fun mod and looks easy in your unit. You can certainly confirm with the builder.

grannyring December 01, 2012 01:31

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto7/5_big.jpg This is a link to the picture that I wanted to send you.

charles1dad December 01, 2012 01:16