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Modwright Elyse DAC input issues

I just want to give a heads up on a potential problem with the Modwright Elyse DAC. I just purchased a used one and have encountered drop out issues with every input other than the USB input. I contacted Modwright to see if there was a fix for it and this is the response I got back for Dan Modwright;
"Hi Darryl and thanks for letting me know. The fact is, there can be an issue with these inputs. It has to do with the quality of your power and the sensitivity of the input receiver to less than ideal data samples. The DAC board was designed and programmed by a third party for us. This bug was never fully worked out and is power quality and environment dependent. I am afraid that I do not have a solution for you. I am glad to hear that via USB it is trouble free.
You could always add a SPDIF to USB converter"

I'm not trying to bash on the Elyse, I just want other potential purchasers to be aware of this possible issue. I think they only made about 40 of them, so I know I'm speaking to a small audience. 


dj
stoutblock
7 posts
 
What would really be cool is if someone in the know figured out how to install a SOTA DAC into this chassis? Something that was current and processed DSD etc. It would have to pick up the 8v coming from the Elyse PS, interface correctly with the front signal sensor indicators and also interface with the output PCB. It can’t be that hard for someone in the know? There is plenty of room for a modest size PCB. The SPDIF and AES connections are point to point wired so that would be forgiving to the chassis layout. The USB port is on the PCB itself so location may complicate the PCB placement but nothing a separate USB port could not be added to accommodate? Everything in this chassis is of exceptional quality except the DAC itself is quite modest. A nice ESS9038pro would be killer installed with this PS and outputs? Someone?
dj OP
13 posts
 
Update. Not sure what happened, but the freguency of drop outs has reduced significantly. My initial impressions were based on the first two weeks of ownership. Two months later (maybe 120hrs of use) the dropout rate is probably once every 90 minutes of use if I tried to average it. Same set up. same power supply. I just wanted to update in case someone was looking into the Elyse. Best sounding DAC I have had to my ears. 
qdrone
1,039 posts
 

I have had mine for almost a year now and when I first bought it it had an occasional drop out while playing cd's. I mean it was once or twice in a 4 hour listening session. Now I haven't had 1 drop out in 3 months. I went from a 5ARGYS rectifier to a 5UGB and since then no drop outs plus in my system it tamed the highs. I use the Co Axial input(WyWyre Diamond Co Axial). I use mine strictly for cd's,not with a streamer.

facten
2,764 posts
 

I spin CDs and back in August I purchased a Neodio Origine S2 CD player with it becoming my main source in my main system. With that change I sold off my Mojo Audio EVO DAC (thoroughly enjoyed it) and moved my SimAudio 260DT transport into my 2nd system with the Modwright Elyse. The SimAudio’s AES/EBU output is the unit’s optimized one for SQ (confirmed with SimAudio) . Using that connection and a Tchernnov Reference 2 AES/EBU digital cable to the Elyse I noticed that if I encountered a dropout it was split second in length vs a maybe 3 second dropout when I was using the SPDIF connection via a Wadia 171i IPOD transport. I have made one other change, I swapped out a NOS Phillips 5AR4 rectifier and installed a Sophia Electric Aqua 274B. So far no dropouts, and equally important it has taken the Elyse SQ to another level. More body is how I will simply state it. I had never consider using the 274B until I read positive comments about it on Lampizator DAC threads on What’s Best Forum . Figured nothing to lose giving it a go in the Elyse since Dan listed it was a rectifier you can use with the Elyse.

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