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Tube Rolling the Jolida/Black Ice dsd Dac

So I recently purchased the Jolida/Black Ice dsd dac and and a pair of Psvane 12ax7’s.  Played thru about 50 hours and while the soundstage opened up some, in my system detail seemed a little rounded off.  They probably need more hours, and  I recognize these are highly subjective impressions and system dependent, but then a friend gave me a pair of Fisher-era Telefunken’s to play with and I have tons of inner detail, imaging and a wide soundstage.  What I do find, however, is I have turn the volume up further on my passive pre-amp.  I have a pair of 50’s era RCA grey plates coming next week.  Pretty easy to go down the rabbit hole playing with tubes, but that’s half the fun of it.  Curious as to what other tubes Jolida dac owners are using. My system: NuForce STA-200 amp, Luminous Audio pre-amp with Walker mod, Bluesound Node2, and DIY LeCleach horn speakers. Mix of Cullen and Transparent Cables.
renisnceman

Showing 5 responses by audioman58

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audioman58
3,875 posts
 
Regarding the fuse ,I mod the Jolida DSD wifi dacs I have modded several 
with a Substantial increase of fidelity on every level,the stock IEC is cheap tinned
brass , I put in a Furutech Gold Copper 3 x better conductivity much lower noise floor to start , the fuse you putin with theSR going in RS or facing << Thst is the correct way ,going towards the power side, then WBT copper connectors vs brass ,  then a choice of clarity Caps ,CSA or top of the line VH audio new ODam couplingcaps, not much room in there so a 400 v cap is the largest 250 v is sufficient 
from there you have tons more resolution , a good vintage tube will only make it better , NOS  50-60s Amperex are very balanced especially from the Herleen factory in Holland ,must’be tight matched ,Andy at vintage tube, or Brent Jesse audio , are the two best know out there . The psvane mk-2 tubes take at least 100 hours to settle in.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,875 posts
 
If youtruywant better detail send the dac back to Jolida 
fir sure don’t use the volume pot it robs detail period .Jarred said 
they can by pass the inexpensive static pot,
landforms $250  they will add 2 Vishsy naked resistors on the input ,and output and you can also upgrade to WBT rca connectors 
if you choose to ,butbypsssung the volume pot andthe 4 Vishsy naked resistors a worth wild upgrade, tubes maybe after That.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,875 posts
 
Jolida had a much better dac using 6 sn7 and the Sabre pro 38  coming out
with a. Bigger chassis in the spring .  That is what I am waiting for .
for with this current dac ,not even room enough inside to upgrade the coupling capacitors everything is crammed in their which is. Not good 
try turning the volume up and down you can literally hear static through your speakers . Forsure it is robbing detail low quality pots do ,thisis not even as good as the alps pot ,which is ok at best ,no microprocessor ,orresidtive ladder pot .
it should have been bare minimum a Alps pop st least that is relatively clean sounding.the psvane art series tubes at $85 is max I will personally spend 
knowing Thst for for under $1500 something designed by Fosgste is coming out soon and far better .
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,875 posts
 
Regarding fuses the SR orange being currently the best one out there imo.
The Furutech IEC for $25 night and day better gold copper vs junk tinned brass
and buy a $28 box of the Yellow crimp on Furutech slide on bronze,gold terminals ,buy a pair of crimpers or you can use lineman plyers ,vh audio sells the terminals  with the shielded covers ,they slide on nice and tight ,then put in the synergistic fuse and it goes in with the SN writing on the fuses to the left ,towards the Hot or Line,example fuse writing,
RS<<<< this way no guessing ,rule of thumb if ground is on top writing goes backwards like above, if ground on bottom to the right SR  this eliminates experimenting .
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,875 posts
 
Bypass the volume pot noticeably better ,replace the stock caps as i did withthe excellent VH audio ODam capacitors matched to under .05% per pair , which too gets rid of the molex connector 
WBT input rca, Neotech wire ,and a Furutech IEC input and synergistic orange 🍊 fuse. Great power cord upgrade $199
pangea AC awg 14 sig mk2 using Cardas Clare #1 Copper wire.
for less then $450 im parts totally transforms. This dac .
Liam using pangea. Tubes , Amperex 1950 s  D getter 1960s superb tubes but $$ 300+ .just taking the time here ,night and day 
better will meet or beat any dac under $3 k.
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