Very low output from my right channel


Last night, I played the “channel identification and channel phasing” tracks (#1 thru #2) from the Stereophile's Sampler & Test CD on my EAD T-1000 transport and the right channel was barely audible. For a brief moment I could not figure out how my Wilson Watt 5/Puppy 2 speaker was damaged (VTL ST-150 amp/VTL TL-2.5 pre). After some diagnostics, the real culprit is my older Altis DAP "Reference" Bitstream Decoder. What do you think might have caused me to lose the right channel?

I paid $250 for the DAP and it’s served me very well. It has a separate power supply that is completely separate and has had all of its caps upgraded and is significantly "hot-rodded". There is an updated cord connecting the two items and also installed is a new clock, jitter reduction components and tons of new caps and updated resistors in the DAC itself. It has one coaxial digital input, one AT&T glass input, and one digital coax output and, of course, right and left analog outs.

My options are to fix the DAC or spend $500-$1500 for a replacement. Primarily I listen to jazz and salsa. So folks, what do you think?
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Showing 1 response by gregm

I assume you're not a diy-er or you;d have diagnosed the problem yself. So,

If you're happy with the DAC, take it to a technician to check. It could be a very simple matter and cheap to correct.

A new dac would have a more performant chip (yrs is bitstream) in it -- but less fancy componentry. You could buy a contemporary dac (say, a Benchmark or similar) and have it upgraded with your components (many of which are re-usable). Keep in mind that dacs cost 500-1000 and you'll have to add the cost of modding... However, current AD or Texas Instruments chips used in dacs are very good performers -- so chances are the contemporary modded dac will outperform yours.
And jazz deserves good treatment, doesn't it ;)