As was said before, the DI/O outputs are at 7v stock.  You need to drop
them down to consumer levels before using it with consumer equipment.

You can change some resistor values in the amplifier stage of the DI/O
and do this without changing any of the filter characteristics.  There
is information on how to do this in the files section.

It is simply a matter of desoldering 4 resistors and swapping them around.

The resistor-in-cable solution was an early hack until the schematics
were understood.

Look around on the group.  If you can't figure it out, get back to me
and I'll see if I can tell you what to do.  I should have all the
schematics and info around here somewhere, but it's been a long time
since i've done any DI/O mods.

Ian

c3474 wrote:
>
>
> The airport express does have a toslink out.
>
> I run;
> express-->mini-toslink/toslink cable-->toslink to coax
> converter-->coax in on the art-->TS out-->ts/rca cable-->preamp
> (hafler 945)
>
> The issue also occurs when I use the Sony transport though...
> Sony coax out-->art coax in-->art analog out-->preamp.
>
> The horrible sound definitely has a direct correlation with the 0db
> (clipping) light on the Art.
>
> I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I have isolated the problem to
> the digital input making the Art clip (as opposed to the 7v output
> causing clipping in the preamp).
>
> Here is where my ignorance shines... The only other problem source I
> can think of could be my coax cable. I am using a cheap Acoustic
> Research Digital Coax cable. I tried switching it out with a regular
> rca.... maybe I need 75 ohm?! (I don't know)... maybe the one I am
> using is a 75 ohm (it doesn't specify anywhere)...
>
> Also, another issue is that I get a soft clicking sound when the dac
> is set on either 48 and 96, but not when it is set to 44.1 or 88.2mhz.
> I'm not sure if that is normal or not.
>
> Seriously thanks for the help guys!!
>
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com <mailto:DIOmods%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "sedond" <sedond@...> wrote:
> >
> > first, i am assuming that you are running a single coax from your
> source's digital outs into the single digital input of the di/o? if
> you are using the analog outputs of your sources into the analog
> inputs of the di/o, then you aren't using it as a dac. (does your
> itunes airport express have a digital out?)
> >
> > the di/o in stock form, as a pro-audio piece, outputs at 7v; most
> home audio gear outputs at around 2v. not sure, but from your
> description, and the fact that if you turn down your itune's wolume
> level that it works, it seems this is the issue you are dealing with.
> (but i am not sure - see first paragraph.) you can build a woltage
> divider w/two resistors that should be able to fit in the 1/4" phone
> plugs of your canare q-star ic's, to reduce the output from 7v to 2v.
> info can be found here:
> >
> > http://mysite.verizon.net/vze22yzp/id14.html
> <http://mysite.verizon.net/vze22yzp/id14.html>
> >
> > hth,
> >
> > doug s.
> > --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com <mailto:DIOmods%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "c3474" <c3474@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am slowing upgrading my hifi system and decided I needed a DAC.
> I found some great info and reviews on the Art DI/O and decided to
> give it a try. I bought one off of CL from a guy that used it in his
> studio (supposedly). I'm assuming it is UNMODIFIED. I built some
> Canare quadstar and Neutrik interconnects to use (1/4" TS to rca).
> > >
> > > My problem:
> > > The clipping light on the art flashes (in rhythm to the music) and
> I get clicking and popping (in ryththm to the clipping light) as well
> music bleeding from both channels even with my preamp attenuator all
> the way down. The clipping occurs from both of my sources, an airport
> express and a Sony DVP-S7000 I'm using as a CD transport.
> > >
> > > I have tried switching out all of the cables with no change. I was
> about to give up and call the person I purchased it from for a refund,
> but thought I would give it one last try.
> > >
> > > I found something that worked. If I turn the volume down in iTunes
> (to about 3/4) the clipping stops and the music comes to life with no
> problems!!!
> > >
> > > My unexperienced conclusion is that my sources can't both be
> outputting abnormally high. Thus the coaxial input circuitry on the
> Art is the culprit.
> > >
> > > My questions:
> > > Has anyone else had a similar problem?!?! While my airport works
> fine (at a reduced volume) I would still like to use my Sony transport
> with the Art as well. Can I add a resistor to the coaxial input or
> would that be just "band-aiding" a more serious problem??
> > > Any help??
> > >
> >
>
>

well, you want to use a 75 ohm coax cable, for sure.  (tho i doubt not having
this would cause the problems you seem to be encountering.)  you could measure
the resistance of your cable w/a multimeter.  and, cheap doesn't necessarily
mean bad - i used a cheap rat-shack 75 ohm cable that was recommended in s'phile
years ago, and it worked fine.

it is possible that your sources are over-driving the di/o, but i have never
heard of this as being a problem.  if you are having a problme here, i would
suspect something is not right w/the di/o.   the other issue - not sounding
right when on 48 or 96, is normal, if being used w/conwentional cdp's.  44.1,
88.2, and auto-sync should all work fine.

hth,

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "c3474" <c3474@...> wrote:
>
> The airport express does have a toslink out.
>
> I run;
> express-->mini-toslink/toslink cable-->toslink to coax converter-->coax in on
the art-->TS out-->ts/rca cable-->preamp (hafler 945)
>
> The issue also occurs when I use the Sony transport though...
> Sony coax out-->art coax in-->art analog out-->preamp.
>
> The horrible sound definitely has a direct correlation with the 0db (clipping)
light on the Art.
>
> I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I have isolated the problem to the
digital input making the Art clip (as opposed to the 7v output causing clipping
in the preamp).
>
> Here is where my ignorance shines... The only other problem source I can think
of could be my coax cable. I am using a cheap Acoustic Research Digital Coax
cable. I tried switching it out with a regular rca.... maybe I need 75 ohm?! (I
don't know)... maybe the one I am using is a 75 ohm (it doesn't specify
anywhere)...
>
> Also, another issue is that I get a soft clicking sound when the dac is set on
either 48 and 96, but not when it is set to 44.1 or 88.2mhz. I'm not sure if
that is normal or not.
>
> Seriously thanks for the help guys!!

The airport express does have a toslink out.

I run;
express-->mini-toslink/toslink cable-->toslink to coax converter-->coax in on
the art-->TS out-->ts/rca cable-->preamp (hafler 945)

The issue also occurs when I use the Sony transport though...
Sony coax out-->art coax in-->art analog out-->preamp.

The horrible sound definitely has a direct correlation with the 0db (clipping)
light on the Art.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I have isolated the problem to the digital
input making the Art clip (as opposed to the 7v output causing clipping in the
preamp).

Here is where my ignorance shines... The only other problem source I can think
of could be my coax cable. I am using a cheap Acoustic Research Digital Coax
cable. I tried switching it out with a regular rca.... maybe I need 75 ohm?! (I
don't know)... maybe the one I am using is a 75 ohm (it doesn't specify
anywhere)...

Also, another issue is that I get a soft clicking sound when the dac is set on
either 48 and 96, but not when it is set to 44.1 or 88.2mhz. I'm not sure if
that is normal or not.

Seriously thanks for the help guys!!

--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@...> wrote:
>
> first, i am assuming that you are running a single coax from your source's
digital outs into the single digital input of the di/o?  if you are using the
analog outputs of your sources into the analog inputs of the di/o, then you
aren't using it as a dac.  (does your itunes airport express have a digital
out?)
>
> the di/o in stock form, as a pro-audio piece, outputs at 7v; most home audio
gear outputs at around 2v.  not sure, but from your description, and the fact
that if you turn down your itune's wolume level that it works, it seems this is
the issue you are dealing with.  (but i am not sure - see first paragraph.)  you
can build a woltage divider w/two resistors that should be able to fit in the
1/4" phone plugs of your canare q-star ic's, to reduce the output from 7v to 2v.
info can be found here:
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/vze22yzp/id14.html
>
> hth,
>
> doug s.
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "c3474" <c3474@> wrote:
> >
> > I am slowing upgrading my hifi system and decided I needed a DAC. I found
some great info and reviews on the Art DI/O and decided to give it a try. I
bought one off of CL from a guy that used it in his studio (supposedly). I'm
assuming it is UNMODIFIED. I built some Canare quadstar and Neutrik
interconnects to use (1/4" TS to rca).
> >
> > My problem:
> > The clipping light on the art flashes (in rhythm to the music) and I get
clicking and popping (in ryththm to the clipping light) as well music bleeding
from both channels even with my preamp attenuator all the way down. The clipping
occurs from both of my sources, an airport express and a Sony DVP-S7000 I'm
using as a CD transport.
> >
> > I have tried switching out all of the cables with no change. I was about to
give up and call the person I purchased it from for a refund, but thought I
would give it one last try.
> >
> > I found something that worked. If I turn the volume down in iTunes (to about
3/4) the clipping stops and the music comes to life with no problems!!!
> >
> > My unexperienced conclusion is that my sources can't both be outputting
abnormally high. Thus the coaxial input circuitry on the Art is the culprit.
> >
> > My questions:
> >  Has anyone  else had a similar problem?!?! While my airport works fine (at
a reduced volume) I would still like to use my Sony transport with the Art as
well. Can I add a resistor  to the coaxial input or would that be just
"band-aiding" a more serious problem??
> > Any help??
> >
>

first, i am assuming that you are running a single coax from your source's
digital outs into the single digital input of the di/o?  if you are using the
analog outputs of your sources into the analog inputs of the di/o, then you
aren't using it as a dac.  (does your itunes airport express have a digital
out?)

the di/o in stock form, as a pro-audio piece, outputs at 7v; most home audio
gear outputs at around 2v.  not sure, but from your description, and the fact
that if you turn down your itune's wolume level that it works, it seems this is
the issue you are dealing with.  (but i am not sure - see first paragraph.)  you
can build a woltage divider w/two resistors that should be able to fit in the
1/4" phone plugs of your canare q-star ic's, to reduce the output from 7v to 2v.
info can be found here:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze22yzp/id14.html

hth,

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "c3474" <c3474@...> wrote:
>
> I am slowing upgrading my hifi system and decided I needed a DAC. I found some
great info and reviews on the Art DI/O and decided to give it a try. I bought
one off of CL from a guy that used it in his studio (supposedly). I'm assuming
it is UNMODIFIED. I built some Canare quadstar and Neutrik interconnects to use
(1/4" TS to rca).
>
> My problem:
> The clipping light on the art flashes (in rhythm to the music) and I get
clicking and popping (in ryththm to the clipping light) as well music bleeding
from both channels even with my preamp attenuator all the way down. The clipping
occurs from both of my sources, an airport express and a Sony DVP-S7000 I'm
using as a CD transport.
>
> I have tried switching out all of the cables with no change. I was about to
give up and call the person I purchased it from for a refund, but thought I
would give it one last try.
>
> I found something that worked. If I turn the volume down in iTunes (to about
3/4) the clipping stops and the music comes to life with no problems!!!
>
> My unexperienced conclusion is that my sources can't both be outputting
abnormally high. Thus the coaxial input circuitry on the Art is the culprit.
>
> My questions:
>  Has anyone  else had a similar problem?!?! While my airport works fine (at a
reduced volume) I would still like to use my Sony transport with the Art as
well. Can I add a resistor  to the coaxial input or would that be just
"band-aiding" a more serious problem??
> Any help??
>

I am slowing upgrading my hifi system and decided I needed a DAC. I found some
great info and reviews on the Art DI/O and decided to give it a try. I bought
one off of CL from a guy that used it in his studio (supposedly). I'm assuming
it is UNMODIFIED. I built some Canare quadstar and Neutrik interconnects to use
(1/4" TS to rca).

My problem:
The clipping light on the art flashes (in rhythm to the music) and I get
clicking and popping (in ryththm to the clipping light) as well music bleeding
from both channels even with my preamp attenuator all the way down. The clipping
occurs from both of my sources, an airport express and a Sony DVP-S7000 I'm
using as a CD transport.

I have tried switching out all of the cables with no change. I was about to give
up and call the person I purchased it from for a refund, but thought I would
give it one last try.

I found something that worked. If I turn the volume down in iTunes (to about
3/4) the clipping stops and the music comes to life with no problems!!!

My unexperienced conclusion is that my sources can't both be outputting
abnormally high. Thus the coaxial input circuitry on the Art is the culprit.

My questions:
  Has anyone  else had a similar problem?!?! While my airport works fine (at a
reduced volume) I would still like to use my Sony transport with the Art as
well. Can I add a resistor  to the coaxial input or would that be just
"band-aiding" a more serious problem??
Any help??

I am slowing upgrading my hifi system and decided I needed a DAC. I found some
great info and reviews on the Art DI/O and decided to give it a try. I bought
one off of CL from a guy that used it in his studio (supposedly). I'm assuming
it is UNMODIFIED. I built some Canare quadstar and Neutrik interconnects to use
(1/4" TS to rca).

My problem:
The clipping light on the art flashes (in rhythm to the music) and I get
clicking and popping (in ryththm to the clipping light) as well music bleeding
from both channels even with my preamp attenuator all the way down. The clipping
occurs from both of my sources, an airport express and a Sony DVP-S7000 I'm
using as a CD transport.

I have tried switching out all of the cables with no change. I was about to give
up and call the person I purchased it from for a refund, but thought I would
give it one last try.

I found something that worked. If I turn the volume down in iTunes (to about
3/4) the clipping stops and the music comes to life with no problems!!!

My unexperienced conclusion is that my sources can't both be outputting
abnormally high. Thus the coaxial input circuitry on the Art is the culprit.

My questions:
  Has anyone  else had a similar problem?!?! While my airport works fine (at a
reduced volume) I would still like to use my Sony transport with the Art as
well. Can I add a resistor  to the coaxial input or would that be just
"band-aiding" a more serious problem??
Any help??

Hi all

Someone have the SLA1 Power AMp schematics ?

Thanks to you

Clomi

Hey... I know this seems dumb, but check that the IC's are in the
right way... Sometimes modders will put a socket in reverse and then
sometimes the IC will be replaced with another and end up reversed...
Someone had this problem on another forum and I thought you should
check this first before replacing the AK4524 as its a tough surface
mount...  Easiest way to be sure is to look at the data sheets for the
IC and then check the pins to see if they get correct power and
polarity...  Then check the diodes... Same reason...

Just in case you didn't find it yet, the datasheet for the AK4524 is
in the files section...

There should really be pictures in the files section of the front and
back of the circuit boards (with and without mods)... This would help
with repairs and comparisons when problems occur... Anyone with
cameras willing to contribute?

--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "molemanmark59" <damelza@...> wrote:
>
> Purchased on Ebay 6 months ago. Modified with PS diodes, socket /
> audio IC, removing output couplers and digital input loading.  Use to
> decode CDs, Roku and encode analog for PC recording.  Suddenly right
> channel missing left overload sounding / faint in D to A mode and A
> to D mode completely dead.  Isolated to digital board by substituting
> another. Changed all electrolytic capacitors on digital board - power
> supplies look solid (before and after - ha ha - had to try
> something).  Re-soldered all feedthroughs and micro IC pins.  I'm
> afraid it must be a semiconductor problem..
> Does anyone know a source for the AK4524? I'd try changing it if I
> could get one for reasonable cost.
> Has anyone worked through a similar problem?
> Any loose digital boards out there?
> Any good ideas for unit without digital board? Tube buffer with
> inconvenient connections and levels, spare parts or move my good
> digital board from un-modified unit to it (kind of afraid to - it's
> worked for years).
> Thanks in advance for any input.  mark
>

Purchased on Ebay 6 months ago. Modified with PS diodes, socket /
audio IC, removing output couplers and digital input loading.  Use to
decode CDs, Roku and encode analog for PC recording.  Suddenly right
channel missing left overload sounding / faint in D to A mode and A
to D mode completely dead.  Isolated to digital board by substituting
another. Changed all electrolytic capacitors on digital board - power
supplies look solid (before and after - ha ha - had to try
something).  Re-soldered all feedthroughs and micro IC pins.  I'm
afraid it must be a semiconductor problem..
Does anyone know a source for the AK4524? I'd try changing it if I
could get one for reasonable cost.
Has anyone worked through a similar problem?
Any loose digital boards out there?
Any good ideas for unit without digital board? Tube buffer with
inconvenient connections and levels, spare parts or move my good
digital board from un-modified unit to it (kind of afraid to - it's
worked for years).
Thanks in advance for any input.  mark

As I reported in an earlier post I've been playing with a new Zhaolu
2.5C DAC this winter. I've modded it per information found in several
places:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?
s=&threadid=77992&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/mod-your-zhalou-thread-178893/

Note: you may want to start on page 130 or 150 for the Head-Fi
thread, since it is 200 pages long.

I Finally got a chance to put my modded Zhaolu 2.5C up against some
strong competition. This DAC has been modded per post #303 and a few
others here recommended by Kevin. It has the CD DAC chip in it and
the 4562 op amps in the output stage.

I also replaced the power supply filtering with a "Felix" power
conditioner, as described by Paul Kap on many threads at
www.audiocircle.com. In fact, Paul was at this showdown and brought
his Zhaolu 2.0 DAC along to compare also.

So, what did we put it up against? A Remyo CDP-777. We used this as
the transport and just flicked back and forth between the 777 and the
Zhaolu - a very easy compare. Here's a link to a 6-Moons review of
this $17,000 CD player, which some reviewers think may be one of the
best in the world:

[URL=http://6moons.com/audioreviews/combak2/cdp_3.html]
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/combak2/cdp_3.html[/URL]

So how did it fare? There were subtle differences, but in a nutshell
I believe we all agreed that if we walked out of the room and back in
again we wouldn't be able to tell which player was playing.

So, what were the subtle differences?
- There was a slightly better inner dynamic on the Reimyo, like the
difference between f and ff or p and pp.
- The broad dynamics were pretty close with the Reimo having a better
bass, which is where it manifested mostly. The Zhaolu was ever so
slightly light sounding in the midbass and lower midrange, but that
could also be the op-amps I chose, and so can be adjusted.
- There was a very slight veiling on the Zhaolu's. The leading "ting"
of cymbals was not quite as sharp and pronounced.
- Also, the Reimyo had better decay of notes, letting them fade away
more naturally.

Am I picking nits here? Yes, the differences were very subtle and
probably not noticeable at all except that we had a direct A-B
compare via a switch.

The bottom line, this DAC, which I have maybe $300 into, stood up
incredibly well against a state of the art $17,000 player. Not bad
for this little champ.

The difference between the 2.0 and 2.5C was even more subtle, with a
bit more detail and transparency going to the 2.5C, but I'm sure Paul
will be addressing this in his unit to bring them closer together.

All in all, both of us were very happy with the outcome, and the
owner of the Reimyo was glad that there were differences, but with a
$16,700 difference in price I think I'll stick with the Zhaolu for
now.

How does it compare to the DI/O? Well, I think the DI/O has been
beaten finally in the inexpensive giant killer category. There is
more detail and imaging and soundstaging and dynamics and just about
everything else. So the Zhaolu is now my reference.

Next discussion topic, are high $$$ digital players one of the
biggest scams in audio?

Enjoy,
Bob

yes I meant balanced trs sorry
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@...> wrote:
>
> di/o never had xlr in/out; but had 1/4" phone plugs...
>
> doug s.
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "jason" <buschfsu@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all,
> > nice to see some action on this board again.  I just picked up an NOS
> > DIO and want to mod it as a DA for studio use.  What that means to me
> > is nothing overly flattering just increadibly transparent.   also since
> > its for studio use ill keep the xlr in out but don't really need the AD.
> > thanks!
> >
>

no, but if you're interested in a highly modded one - excellent
sounding to boot - check this out...  ;~)

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=49382

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, vhatch@... wrote:
>
>  Anybody interested in a bone stock di/o?? I bought it to try some
mods on but never had the time.?
>
>
>
> Unit with box, ps, tube and a couple of misc cables (one radio shack
coax digital that came with it and one 1/4" 3' that I was going to cut
and convert one end to RCA).
>
>
>
> If anybody's interested, make a fair offer.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Hatch
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com
>

yes I meant balanced trs sorry
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@...> wrote:
>
> di/o never had xlr in/out; but had 1/4" phone plugs...
>
> doug s.
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "jason" <buschfsu@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all,
> > nice to see some action on this board again.  I just picked up an NOS
> > DIO and want to mod it as a DA for studio use.  What that means to me
> > is nothing overly flattering just increadibly transparent.   also since
> > its for studio use ill keep the xlr in out but don't really need the AD.
> > thanks!
> >
>

di/o never had xlr in/out; but had 1/4" phone plugs...

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "jason" <buschfsu@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
> nice to see some action on this board again.  I just picked up an NOS
> DIO and want to mod it as a DA for studio use.  What that means to me
> is nothing overly flattering just increadibly transparent.   also since
> its for studio use ill keep the xlr in out but don't really need the AD.
> thanks!
>

Hello all,
nice to see some action on this board again.  I just picked up an NOS
DIO and want to mod it as a DA for studio use.  What that means to me
is nothing overly flattering just increadibly transparent.   also since
its for studio use ill keep the xlr in out but don't really need the AD.
thanks!

hi bob,

get back to us when you can make the zhaolu sound appreciably
*better* than a modded art di/o...  ;~)

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, <ptmconsulting@...> wrote:
>
> I've been doing some more playing with my winter project - modding
a Zhaolu 2.5C DAC. I have to say I'm mighty impressed with how the
sound of this DAC can be changed. I can make it souond like a DI/O. I
can make it sound like a Benchmark. I can (almost) make it sound like
vinyl (almost).
>
> If you like to tinker you may want to check it out. There's lots of
info over at www.head-fi.org in the "mod your Zhaolu" thread (about
200 pages worth.
>
> Enjoy,
> Bob
>
> From: sedond <sedond@...>
> Date: 2008/02/10 Sun PM 05:40:05 CST
> To: DIOmods@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [DIOmods] Re: INA103 (in)compatibility
>
>
> hi gary,
>
> yup, i will report back.  i must say i am enjoying the ina103
> iteration i got from you, but i can't say it blows away the
> performance if the conwentionally modded one.  it may offer a
smidge
> more smoothness, is all.  but, i really need to do a more serious
> comparison, most of my listening is to fm & winyl anyway...
>
> regards,
>
> doug s.
>
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "gbronn" <gbronn@> wrote:
> >
> > Right you are Doug.  The INA103 mod takes the output directly
from
> the
> > output of the DAC chip and bypasses the standard op amp.  The DIO
> uses
> > a quad opamp - 4 op amps in one package.  2 are used for the D/A
> stage
> > and 2 are used for the A/D stage.
> > The INA103 is a single instrumentation opamp and the mod uses 2 of
> > them for the output stage of the DI/O.  So opamp that Bob is
> > recommending is not compatible with the INA103 mod.
> >
> > Doug - when you get a chance to try out the LME49740, I'd be very
> > interested in your thoughts on how it compares to the INA103
> version.
> >  I've had very good luck using the dual version of the LME49740
in
> my
> > Squeezebox so I suspect it will sound really good in the DI/O too.
> >
> > ---Gary
> > --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@> wrote:
> > >
> > > afaik, the ina103 mod is completely incompatible w/any standard
> op--
> > > amp mod...
> > >
> > > doug s.
> > >
> >
>

I've been doing some more playing with my winter project - modding a Zhaolu 2.5C
DAC. I have to say I'm mighty impressed with how the sound of this DAC can be
changed. I can make it souond like a DI/O. I can make it sound like a Benchmark.
I can (almost) make it sound like vinyl (almost).

If you like to tinker you may want to check it out. There's lots of info over at
www.head-fi.org in the "mod your Zhaolu" thread (about 200 pages worth.

Enjoy,
Bob

From: sedond <sedond@...>
Date: 2008/02/10 Sun PM 05:40:05 CST
To: DIOmods@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DIOmods] Re: INA103 (in)compatibility


hi gary,

yup, i will report back.  i must say i am enjoying the ina103
iteration i got from you, but i can't say it blows away the
performance if the conwentionally modded one.  it may offer a smidge
more smoothness, is all.  but, i really need to do a more serious
comparison, most of my listening is to fm & winyl anyway...

regards,

doug s.

--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "gbronn" <gbronn@...> wrote:
>
> Right you are Doug.  The INA103 mod takes the output directly from
the
> output of the DAC chip and bypasses the standard op amp.  The DIO
uses
> a quad opamp - 4 op amps in one package.  2 are used for the D/A
stage
> and 2 are used for the A/D stage.
> The INA103 is a single instrumentation opamp and the mod uses 2 of
> them for the output stage of the DI/O.  So opamp that Bob is
> recommending is not compatible with the INA103 mod.
>
> Doug - when you get a chance to try out the LME49740, I'd be very
> interested in your thoughts on how it compares to the INA103
version.
>  I've had very good luck using the dual version of the LME49740 in
my
> Squeezebox so I suspect it will sound really good in the DI/O too.
>
> ---Gary
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@> wrote:
> >
> > afaik, the ina103 mod is completely incompatible w/any standard
op--
> > amp mod...
> >
> > doug s.
> >
>

hi gary,

yup, i will report back.  i must say i am enjoying the ina103
iteration i got from you, but i can't say it blows away the
performance if the conwentionally modded one.  it may offer a smidge
more smoothness, is all.  but, i really need to do a more serious
comparison, most of my listening is to fm & winyl anyway...

regards,

doug s.

--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "gbronn" <gbronn@...> wrote:
>
> Right you are Doug.  The INA103 mod takes the output directly from
the
> output of the DAC chip and bypasses the standard op amp.  The DIO
uses
> a quad opamp - 4 op amps in one package.  2 are used for the D/A
stage
> and 2 are used for the A/D stage.
> The INA103 is a single instrumentation opamp and the mod uses 2 of
> them for the output stage of the DI/O.  So opamp that Bob is
> recommending is not compatible with the INA103 mod.
>
> Doug - when you get a chance to try out the LME49740, I'd be very
> interested in your thoughts on how it compares to the INA103
version.
>  I've had very good luck using the dual version of the LME49740 in
my
> Squeezebox so I suspect it will sound really good in the DI/O too.
>
> ---Gary
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@> wrote:
> >
> > afaik, the ina103 mod is completely incompatible w/any standard
op--
> > amp mod...
> >
> > doug s.
> >
>

Right you are Doug.  The INA103 mod takes the output directly from the
output of the DAC chip and bypasses the standard op amp.  The DIO uses
a quad opamp - 4 op amps in one package.  2 are used for the D/A stage
and 2 are used for the A/D stage.
The INA103 is a single instrumentation opamp and the mod uses 2 of
them for the output stage of the DI/O.  So opamp that Bob is
recommending is not compatible with the INA103 mod.

Doug - when you get a chance to try out the LME49740, I'd be very
interested in your thoughts on how it compares to the INA103 version.
  I've had very good luck using the dual version of the LME49740 in my
Squeezebox so I suspect it will sound really good in the DI/O too.

---Gary
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "sedond" <sedond@...> wrote:
>
> afaik, the ina103 mod is completely incompatible w/any standard op--
> amp mod...
>
> doug s.
>

afaik, the ina103 mod is completely incompatible w/any standard op--
amp mod...

doug s.

--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, Michael Amster <mamster@...> wrote:
>
> Are they pin compatible with the INA103?  I have those in now and
like
> them.  I would not mind having something else to try out.
>
> -MA
>
> sedond wrote:
> > thanks for the tip; i have a couple on the way presently.  ;~)  i
> > wonder how it will compare to the ina103 iteration...
> >
> > doug s.
> > --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "ptmconsulting2" <ptmconsulting@>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> I have been using the LT1362 op amp for many years now, probably
the
> >> same as most of you (some liked the LT1365 better). On a
recommendation
> >> from a friend who has done much swapping and testing of op amps
in many
> >> different pieces (thanks Paul) I tried an LME49740 just this
past week.
> >>
> >> For all of you who may have wondered if your modded DI/O was
> >> competative with some of the other highly touted DAC's out there
these
> >> days, stop wondering. Try this one for about $6-10, depending on
where
> >> you purchase it, and you will be in musical bliss for quite a
while
> >> yet. It has all the detail of the old LT's, with more air and
bloom and
> >> that wonderful Burr Brown midrange musicality.
> >>
> >> Here's a link to the Digikey data sheet page:
> >>
> >> http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LME49740.pdf
> >>
> >> Enjoy,
> >> Bob
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Let's put  it this way...it works and sound comes out. Good sound.

---------------------------
Bob McNeice
PTM Consulting Inc.
(516) 776-1175

-----Original Message-----

From:  Michael Amster <mamster@...>
Subj:  Re: [DIOmods] Re: ATTENTION: New Op Amp Recommendation for DI/O
Date:  Fri Feb 8, 2008 3:42 pm
Size:  12K
To:  DIOmods@yahoogroups.com

                  Are they pin compatible with the INA103?  I have those in now
and like
  them.  I would not mind having something else to try out.

  -MA

  sedond wrote:
  > thanks for the tip; i have a couple on the way presently.  ;~)  i
  > wonder how it will compare to the ina103 iteration...
  >
  > doug s.
  > --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "ptmconsulting2" <ptmconsulting@...>
  > wrote:
  >
  >> I have been using the LT1362 op amp for many years now, probably the
  >> same as most of you (some liked the LT1365 better). On a recommendation
  >> from a friend who has done much swapping and testing of op amps in many
  >> different pieces (thanks Paul) I tried an LME49740 just this past week.
  >>
  >> For all of you who may have wondered if your modded DI/O was
  >> competative with some of the other highly touted DAC's out there these
  >> days, stop wondering. Try this one for about $6-10, depending on where
  >> you purchase it, and you will be in musical bliss for quite a while
  >> yet. It has all the detail of the old LT's, with more air and bloom and
  >> that wonderful Burr Brown midrange musicality.
  >>
  >> Here's a link to the Digikey data sheet page:
  >>
  >> http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LME49740.pdf
  >>
  >> Enjoy,
  >> Bob
  >>
  >>
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  > Yahoo! Groups Links
  >
  >
  >
  >

Are they pin compatible with the INA103?  I have those in now and like
them.  I would not mind having something else to try out.

-MA

sedond wrote:
> thanks for the tip; i have a couple on the way presently.  ;~)  i
> wonder how it will compare to the ina103 iteration...
>
> doug s.
> --- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "ptmconsulting2" <ptmconsulting@...>
> wrote:
>
>> I have been using the LT1362 op amp for many years now, probably the
>> same as most of you (some liked the LT1365 better). On a recommendation
>> from a friend who has done much swapping and testing of op amps in many
>> different pieces (thanks Paul) I tried an LME49740 just this past week.
>>
>> For all of you who may have wondered if your modded DI/O was
>> competative with some of the other highly touted DAC's out there these
>> days, stop wondering. Try this one for about $6-10, depending on where
>> you purchase it, and you will be in musical bliss for quite a while
>> yet. It has all the detail of the old LT's, with more air and bloom and
>> that wonderful Burr Brown midrange musicality.
>>
>> Here's a link to the Digikey data sheet page:
>>
>> http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LME49740.pdf
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> Bob
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

thanks for the tip; i have a couple on the way presently.  ;~)  i
wonder how it will compare to the ina103 iteration...

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, "ptmconsulting2" <ptmconsulting@...>
wrote:
>
> I have been using the LT1362 op amp for many years now, probably the
> same as most of you (some liked the LT1365 better). On a recommendation
> from a friend who has done much swapping and testing of op amps in many
> different pieces (thanks Paul) I tried an LME49740 just this past week.
>
> For all of you who may have wondered if your modded DI/O was
> competative with some of the other highly touted DAC's out there these
> days, stop wondering. Try this one for about $6-10, depending on where
> you purchase it, and you will be in musical bliss for quite a while
> yet. It has all the detail of the old LT's, with more air and bloom and
> that wonderful Burr Brown midrange musicality.
>
> Here's a link to the Digikey data sheet page:
>
> http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LME49740.pdf
>
> Enjoy,
> Bob
>

I have been using the LT1362 op amp for many years now, probably the
same as most of you (some liked the LT1365 better). On a recommendation
from a friend who has done much swapping and testing of op amps in many
different pieces (thanks Paul) I tried an LME49740 just this past week.

For all of you who may have wondered if your modded DI/O was
competative with some of the other highly touted DAC's out there these
days, stop wondering. Try this one for about $6-10, depending on where
you purchase it, and you will be in musical bliss for quite a while
yet. It has all the detail of the old LT's, with more air and bloom and
that wonderful Burr Brown midrange musicality.

Here's a link to the Digikey data sheet page:

http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LME49740.pdf

Enjoy,
Bob

hi all,

as i yust bought an ina103 modded di/o, & since i awreddy have two other
standard op-amp modded di/o's, i am willing to sell one of the op-amp
modded ones. (yes, its output is standard audio 2v.) email me to
make an offer. here's a link to an ad w/pics i posted on the
audiocircle forum:

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=49382

thanks,

doug s.

go here for this (and all di/o mods) info:
http://home.ca.inter.net/~cfraser/DIOFAQ.htm

pic of a woltage divider:
http://home.ca.inter.net/~cfraser/DIOanalogplug.jpg

hth,

doug s.
--- In DIOmods@yahoogroups.com, Paul Mah <ltr317@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone.  I just joined the group recently and was wondering how
to reduce the DI/O's 7 volt output to around 2 volts, as higher output
is too much gain on my preamp.  Thanks.
>