swt61

Source: HifiDIY CD Transport/Zapfiltered Twisted Pear Audio Opus DAC Preamp: PS Audio PCA-2 Amp/Speakers: Paradigm Reference Active 20 (built in amps) and AV123 Rocket UFW-10 powered subwoofers (2) Headphone Amp: 4 Channel Balanced β22 w/dual sigma22s in separate case Headphones: Modded AKG K340, Modded AKG K240 Sextette, Chocolate Donuts (Modded Yamaha YH-100 Orthodynamic drivers in custom wooden housings), Modded Sennheiser HD 580. All phones are cabled balanced The chain is as follows... The CD transport digital coax output is connected to the digital coax input of the Opus DAC. The Opus DAC balanced outputs are connected to the β22 balanced inputs. The β22 balanced outputs are connected to the PCA-2 balanced inputs. One pair of the PCA-2's balanced outputs are connected to the Paradigm Active 20's balanced inputs. The other pair of the PCA-2's balanced outputs are connected to the pair of AV123 Rocket UFW-10's balanced inputs. I hear no buzz or ground loop through any of the headphones. I also hear no buzz or ground loop through the subwoofers. The only place I hear the buzz is through the speakers, and then it's only when the preamp is set on zero volume (where it automatically is set upon startup), or when I turn the preamp off (the speakers are always left on, but only power up upon receiving an input signal, same for the subwoofers). The PS Audio PCA-2 does have some unique features, for example the active volume control. I'll link PS Audio's PCA-2 info page for reference. http://www.psaudio.com/products/pca2_overview.asp

I'm not sure how I'd determine this, you're talking to a complete simpleton when it comes to electronics. And would there be an easy fix in either case?

Yes I think powering off the preamp (PS Audio PCA-2) is effectively the same as dropping the volume to zero.

Well the 3-2 prong converters on the speaker power cords don't help either. As I stated, if I turn the volume dial to even 1 the hum goeas away, but after I shut down my gear it comes back, and I have to disconnect my speakers. It's kind of a pain. Any other ideas?

Nothing connected to pin 1 at the speaker end, so I guess I'll buy some 3-2 prong converters for the power cables and see what happens.

Good ideas Nate. I'm off to work, but I will try that when I get home and let you know if it works. Thanks!

Jay, If the Zapfilter is removed from your E5-SE (if you're going to be using it as a transport only I'd imagine you'd want to reuse it in the DAC), then I'd imagine you'd have more than enough room to add the AES/EBU output to the E5. That would probably be the cheapest and certainly the slickest way to go.

Very interesting read Kevin, thanks. Bridged output does seem to be more accurate. I seem to have a ground loop hum only noticeable in my active monitors. If I turn the volume up just one step the hum goes away, but if I turn off my gear I get the hum. So I have to disconnect the XLR cables from my speakers when I'm not using them. I never thought that the problem might be related to the balanced configuration of my gear.

Thanks, I feel like I'm finally set for a while. Maybe some K1000s if I can find a pair for $1,200.00 or less.

So how will you go about this? Powder coating? I do remember someone powder coating their K1000 grills, but they did have a problem fitting them back in place, as the powder coating made the grills slightly larger. The leather straps would be uber cool!

Sure. From top to bottom HifiDIY CD transport, and next to that my S2 Audio Dockit wooden iPod dock. Four channel balanced β22 w/Joshua Tree stepper. Dual σ22 power supply. PS Audio PCA-2 balanced preamp. Twisted Pear Opus DAC in dual differential configuration w/Zapfilter. Tice Audio MB3 power conditioner.

That unit is currently owned by yours truly, and it performs beautifully! For the money it's an absolute bargain. I'm sure looser101 could manage the task of building the unit provided you can ply him with something. It is a top loader though, so I'm not sure how that would work in your rack. So does this mean the lovely Bloodwood trimmed E5 SE will be finding a new home?

Well to each his own, but I've hated that faux granite look since the day the 600 was introduced.

I completely agree on all points. My 600 grills and new pads are on backorder for a few weeks until Sennheiser gets more 600 grills in stock.

Hey Nenso, I'm with you buddy! No banana stands for this dude either.

Customize your own.

Hmmm, I've had mine hung on these racks for quite some time now, and I just don't think there's enough force where the pads touch at the bottom to flatten them. So for me at least it's a non issue.

I'm going to be getting an older turntable up to snuff. It's a Mitsubishi LT-30 linear tracker, that I plan on building a custom plinth for. A dedicated stand will also be included in the project, as well as new cabling, cartridge and phono stage.

Thanks Nate. Yes I do build them to sell. Everyone is custom though, as I hate building the same thing over and over. I have many pics of stands I've built for people that I could send to anyone who might be interested. Also S^2 Audio (warrior05 and I) has a less expensive stock stand that Scott builds, and they're quite nice on a budget. I use wall hanging stands for my own headphones.

X2! That is a very nice DAC indeed! The workmanship is flawless as well, but that goes without saying, and is why I named it the Zhaolooser101. I hope it brings you extended enjoyment!

I agree. If I were planning on using it for both balanced and SE I'd have gone with six channels. My whole system is balanced and I don't see myself going back to SE.

LOL! To my mind the 22 is the way to go for a headphone amp. The 24 may be a better selection for not so efficient speakers, but there are lots of fish in that pond if you ask me. Not saying it wouldn't be a great speaker amp, but it'll have a heck of a lot more competition than the 22 IMO.

I have to say that I really like the updated retro styling, even though retro has been so overdone lately.

There's this one too... http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=698696&Sku=C184-22327&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&CMP=OTC-GOOGLEBASE

I think I'd double up the MDF for the shelves for that kind of weight. Contact cement would do nicely. The other option would be to mount a couple MDF rails under each shelf to keep the shelf from flexing. 1" thick rails would effectively double the strength of the entire shelf.