System edited: Replaced all IC's with Q-Audio Tao Analogue Interconnects. Nice improvement. Very neutral, hi-rez cable. Surprisingly (given the cables unshielded design) my system is now dead quiet.

mikemarv January 27, 2008 02:24

System edited: New KR Audio 300B tubes.

mikemarv November 21, 2007 22:35

The mods to the SB are pretty simple. This circuit works for a DAC that accepts i2s input. The bulk of the effort is in building a reclocking circuit on a 3x4" perfboard. This board is mounted in one's DAC; I mounted mine vertically. There's a high quality 11.2896 MHz clock on this board that generates a master clock which is sent back to the SB and soldered to the pad vacated after removing the existing crystal. You then intercept three signals (SDATA, LRCK, BCK) on the SB board and send them to the new board where they are re-synchronized by the same clock and sent to the dac chip. The results are amazing. I have posted a long thread on Aslyum here:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/2/24319.html

and I have posted a board layout on Slim Devices here:
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38967

John generously posted the schematic back in Jan '07 on Slim Devices. I'd be happy to reply to any Qs you may have after reading these threads. Anyone with intermediate soldering skills and able to read a schematic can pull this off. Cheers ~ Mike

mikemarv October 10, 2007 14:57

Great system. It is fantastic to see someone else who has DIY gear in their system on this website.
I am interested in modding my SB3 and was hoping you could tell me more about the re-clocking circuit and output.

Thanks

extra_action October 10, 2007 00:30

System edited: Now free of CeeDees! Added a modded Squeezebox to be used as a transport that accepts a master clock input and outputs signals in left justified format (similar to I2S).

mikemarv October 09, 2007 15:34

Good to hear from you David and sorry for the late reply! The changes have been slow and gradual but at this point I guess the cumulative changes reflect a new system. Some time back I decided to commit to assembling a system based on single ended triode amplification and a non-oversampling digital source. The system reflects these goals notwithstanding a little more DIY work that I'd like to do on cabling and power supplies. Happy Listening!

mikemarv October 09, 2007 15:29

Mike your system has gone through some major changes since the last time I looked. How is the set world? I am tempted.
I am still enjoying the Yaras, they sound great with whatever equip, I throw at them, and they are the perfect speaker for me. Sometimes I get the upgrade bug, but I just have to listen......regards.....David

dklk September 15, 2007 15:33

System edited: Replaced Canare Star Quad speaker cable with Belden 89259 Cross Connect Coax cable with Cardas spades. Nice improvement. Better frequency extension at both ends. Slightly better resolution. Although designed as bi-wire, I am doubling up the run since I have only one pair of binding posts.

mikemarv July 31, 2007 05:43

System edited: Added 2 dedicated AC circuits

mikemarv January 28, 2007 16:22

Mark, thanks for you kind comments. Nice system you have there. I really like the Welborne amps. Very simple circuit. As far as music server, the mac mini is really alluring. What a great little package. As I'm starting out, I think I'm going to bootstrap my way into pc audio. The server is the only thing I haven't yet figured out. I have a usb-to-i2s board on order that will snap into my dac...so it will have no spdif in the chain. I want to use a pda with a decent size screen like the tapwave zodiac and use salling clicker for remove control. I've read recent feedback that Jriver has come a long way as far as a comprehensive solution including ripping. I'm sure there will be some trial and error involved. My winter project!

mikemarv December 14, 2006 02:03

I love the Welborne amps !! I have to have a pair of those one of these days. I want to use them with a 4" fostex driver for a speaker.

What are you going to use as a music server? I just got an apple MAC Mini It is fantastic !! It has a digital optical out I plug into my McIntosh MDA1000. if your dac has an optical in its a nice combo. anyway nice system !!

Mark

mark02131 December 12, 2006 23:06

System edited: Recently completed a tda1541a NOS Dac. New mahogany chassis with ebony knob from thingamaknob

mikemarv December 12, 2006 06:10

System edited: After 3 weeks of no music, we have new speakers

mikemarv November 23, 2006 18:03

System edited: Once the audio signal leaves the Dac, there's a total of 2 capacitors and 1 resistor in the signal path. Pure and simple :)

mikemarv October 22, 2006 01:31

Thanks for the great advice. I'll be looking into it when my wife allows it. Ha.

millikeith September 28, 2006 13:00

Millikeith, that's a terrific system that you've managed to assemble. DH labs seems like a good choice for your components. In the price range of the components we are using, resolution is one limiting factor relative to more expensive gear. So, with choices in cabling, we don't want to work against enabling our components to resolve as much of the recording as possible. The Eichmann Express is value oriented and very good. I have not used it directly plugged into the amp. I bought it for the power conditioner that feeds all my components. I think it is a great value. The one negative is that it is bulky, long and bright blue. If it's hidden none of these things matter. I can safely recommend it. Other good values to consider are: VHAudio, Black Sand Violet, and TG Audio. Some have 100% return policies. Buy 2, and keep the synergistic one. Also, Usedcable.com has a cable library from which you can rent a few cables to determine what's best for your system. I've read enough posts to appreciate that cabling is very system dependent. I enjoyed material improvement from replacing my outlet with ACME cryo or similar....a quick cheap upgrade. The cheap IKEA Lyte DIY rack offered a significant improvement in resolution and imaging. I've found that all these things work together to enable the components to play at their best.

mikemarv September 24, 2006 18:31

Hey Mikemarv,
Thanks for the feedback on the PL1, it was the right choice. I finally got my system components (Kestrel II's, PL1, Eastern Electric Minimax CDP, and DH Labs Air Matrix/Q10) and have listened for about 30-40 hours now. The speakers aren't close to being broken in, nor is the other stuff but I'm already in heaven. What have you heard about power cord upgrades for the PL1? I've been reading a lot about the Eichmann Technologies eXpress Power AC and was wondering whether you've tried yours with the PL1.
Thanks,
millikeith

millikeith September 18, 2006 14:45

Millikeith, sounds promising. Kevin would know since he used to sell them. Please let us know how it turns out. Mike

mikemarv June 21, 2006 20:19

Hey Mikemarv,

Thanks for the reply, it was very helpful. I have a pair of Meadowlark Kestrel II's which are 89db and said to be very easy to drive. Additionally, Kevin at Upscale reports a "peanut butter and jelly" synergy b/t El34-based push-pull designs and the Kestrels so I'm pretty sure I will risk the purchase of the Prologue 1. I'll let you know how it sounds. Thanks again.

millikeith

millikeith June 21, 2006 15:40

Ssglx, I could not agree more with your observation about use of vibrapods under speakers (at least mine). I have a raised foundation with hardwood floors which may influence decision on method of vibration control. I'll just repeat your quote as it mirros my own experience.

"Achieved the clarity bass punch and definition and additional PRAT that I was looking for without the fatigue I got with cones."

mikemarv June 20, 2006 16:39

Millikeith, sorry for the late reply. Just returned from our annual vacation to Brazil yesterday. The prologue 1 is an excellent value. The amp is extremely well built. I live close to Upscale Audio so I had the luxury of auditioning this amp prior to purchase. I listened to the more expensive Unison Research sand/tube hybrid, but preferred the more immediate presence of the Primaluna. I've heard the Primaluna with three speakers, all of which are not considered to be hi-eff: Yaras, Opera Superpavarottis and Sonus Faber Concertos. The Primaluna drove all of these with ease. You asked about the bass response. To my ears, the bass quality is very good, with excellent timbre and dimensionality. It sounds tight on less complex music such as small scale jazz and acoustic music, not lacking in any material way. I listen to a lot of acoustic music: bossa nova, flamenco, jazz. The amp is an excellent choice for these genres. The bass is more challenged on more dynamic material such as orchestra and rock, but very good at this price point. The amp is dead quiet, and I cannot emphasize this enough. I would match this tube amp with speakers of reasonable efficiency (i.e. >90db) with a relatively flat response curve. The Yaras are a superb match.

mikemarv June 20, 2006 16:33

Happy to see another system with Vibrapods under the speakers. I love the effect on my little monitors. Achieved the clarity bass punch and definition and additional PRAT that I was looking for without the fatigue I got with cones.

Chris

ssglx June 06, 2006 16:23

hello, really sweet set up. I'm in the market for an amp and was seriously considering the Prologue 1. Can you tell me your experience with the bass and how well the 35watts powers your Audio Physics? Thanks and enjoy.
millikeith

millikeith June 05, 2006 22:51

Mike, very nice system: In fact I got inspired by your post (and Ken Lyons post) to also built my own Ikea rack. Just posted my system at

Tube system - Revolutions

It works great. Very stable and rigid, but at the same time very light. I was first a little skeptical about the size, but it looks so nice and open and not heavy at all.

Thanks for your inspiration.

Rene

restock October 19, 2005 05:38

Mikemarv,

A very nice looking system. It must sound great too! If I wasn't so deep into this hobby [confused], I'd love to be able to build a simple and elegant system like the one you've put together. Nice job!

gunbei July 04, 2005 21:14