2. digital
  3. 1338932686

Zanden DAC noise problem

I am looking for advise on how to solve the noise I get at high sound level from the Signature Dac which is connected to the Zanden transport.The dac is feeding an Einstein preamp driving Atma-Sphere M-60 which is powering a pair of ClassicLoudspeakers T3.3 .The sound is wonderful however when I increase the volume beyond my normal listening level there is a hum .All the other sources,Accuphase800/801 and Meridian861V6, into the Einstein are perfectly quiet.I am not in the mood to send the unit back to Japan,done that in 2008,they did a wonderful job but expensive and takes forever.
I have replaced all the tubes both in the power supply and the main unit,NO ,difference.I have also tried different output on the DAC,aes,and the cat cable.The cat5 works best( Have just replaced with Cat 6)I thought mistakenly that the the original Zanden CAT cable was defective,I have sent it for repair to US vendor unfortunately he will not return the cable nor respond to my requests.However good the Zanden equipment is,the technical support is not commensurate with product quality and price.All help will be greatly appreciated.
ramy

Showing 3 responses by ramy

ramy OP
141 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses.I did upgrade my DAC in 2008,and I did get the Zanden cable connecting the DAC and transport repaired at Audio Revelation they did an excellent job.I also purchased from them a5J cable,that cable seems somewhat brighter than the Zanden cable,however it might not be completely broken in.As for repairing the DAC I decided to live with it as the hum is not noticeable at normal listening levels.
,
ramy OP
141 posts
 
Hi Nilthepill,
I had similar experience in 2008 I sent that same DAC to Japan,they did an excellent job at an exorbitant cost.I did contact Eric he is always willing to assist,but his recommendation was change tubes or send to Japan.I had a different suggestion from another audiogoner who has experienced the same problem that it may be a defective choke.I just wish that we could have access to experienced audio electronic technician that had the skills to do minor repairs of overseas manufactured products with no US service and even more important the ability to repair classic electronic components of now defunct companies such as Cello.
ramy OP
141 posts
 
I do not know the specific upgrades to the DAC,and I could not detect a significant audio quality improvement.The damage to the pocket book was more significant.However it is hard for me to really evaluate it properly.In my main system the Zanden did not truly shine,however in my new bedroom system the Zanden does contribute significantly to the musicality of the sound.Most of the time I listen downloads of my CDs onto the Meridian Sooloos and the sound is excellent I think I have some improvement at times when the I use the Zanden by passing the Meridian861V6 and playing through the Einstein preamp directly into Atma Sphere M-60 amps.However there are so many variables such as power cables, interconnect,vibration platforms etc.that it is not a truly controlled comparisons.
More to discover