TDA1541A NOS DAC

[hatehifi]

Last not least, my audiolab 6000CDT CD transport is a delight. After a good 30 hours on Vlad‘s DAC and using Zu Audio 75 Ohm digi IC, theaudiophileman didn’t lead me wrong, that is, CD sounds ‘better’ than I can remember… and I’ve heard quite a few.

Thanks Vlad!

Cheers!

[hatehifi]

BUMP!

I have no idea whether Vlad is being overwhelmed with PMs or not but imho he should. After roughly 50 hours, I am still ever more so gobsmacked at the sheer musicality of this instrument.

Most of my files are simple CDs and only few are audiophile. Qobuz’ ‘fancy’ streams sure sound better, but dipping into my own library I have yet to hear anything even remotely uninteresting (tiring?), everything just appears lifelike.

Thanks again Vlad. My hifi route has ended, and there is no lightening.

 

Cheers!

[vlad1980]

I want to thank you for your feedback and I am very happy that you like this DAC.
Also for me, this DAC si end of the road.

I want to test a streamer with this DAC to see what I can get from streaming services. The plan is to test the Roon on raspberry PI 4.

 

 

BUMP!

I have no idea whether Vlad is being overwhelmed with PMs or not but imho he should. After roughly 50 hours, I am still ever more so gobsmacked at the sheer musicality of this instrument.

Most of my files are simple CDs and only few are audiophile. Qobuz’ ‘fancy’ streams sure sound better, but dipping into my own library I have yet to hear anything even remotely uninteresting (tiring?), everything just appears lifelike.

Thanks again Vlad. My hifi route has ended, and there is no lightening.

 

Cheers!

[hatehifi]

My pleasure Vlad.

 

I’m with you 100%. And I’m also happy at it sounding so much like my LP playback. The other day I took another, likely my last, crack at adjusting my Zu subwoofer’s parametric settings to my room using CD feed to audition. Then I tried the LP(s) and I can’t hear the difference. I’ve taped over the knobs as not to lose the hot spot.

I never envisioned ever living this…  

Cheers!

[mamakasou]

Great job guys!
They look fantastic and with Vlad's design, I'm sure they sound fabulous.

I also got interested in the venerable TDA1541 and a similar type of implementation, so I went ahead with a similar project.
In the end, the result was worth it.
TDA1541 in NOS mode, with Soviet 6N3P, SRPP output (tube-rectified PSU) is something special.

Superior to my modified passive I/V, LITE DAC-AH (8x TDA1543) and better than my AD1865 in NOS mode with 6DJ8 (tube-rectified PSU).
Delta-Sigma DACs such as my AK4490 or PCM1792 ones are not in the same league, even with tube outputs.

And a question guys, regarding the green PCB.
What kind of receiver chip does it use?
I use the typical CS8412 in mine.

Kind regards.

[vlad1980]

Hi,

The receiver used in this kit is DIR9001 from Texas Instruments.

Regards,

Vlad

Great job guys!
They look fantastic and with Vlad's design, I'm sure they sound fabulous.

I also got interested in the venerable TDA1541 and a similar type of implementation, so I went ahead with a similar project.
In the end, the result was worth it.
TDA1541 in NOS mode, with Soviet 6N3P, SRPP output (tube-rectified PSU) is something special.

Superior to my modified passive I/V, LITE DAC-AH (8x TDA1543) and better than my AD1865 in NOS mode with 6DJ8 (tube-rectified PSU).
Delta-Sigma DACs such as my AK4490 or PCM1792 ones are not in the same league, even with tube outputs.

And a question guys, regarding the green PCB.
What kind of receiver chip does it use?
I use the typical CS8412 in mine.

Kind regards.

[vlad1980]

Outside is a very bad weather and I had time to play with this DAC.

I succeeded to make it work with TDA1541 (no A) chip and the sound is amazing. In this configuration the clock for the TDA1541 is provided by DIR9001 and I think is better this way comparing with the internal clock of TDA1541A know as not very good quality clock. DIR9001 is having a Low-Jitter clock.

The output tube module was upgraded with a soft start MOSFET power supply and audio grade output capacitors.

This old TDA1541 DAC it amazes me every day!

[KariFS]

I got one of these DACs for Christmas, and finally put it together.

I used two different standard enclosures (cast ally from Taiwan), finished in wrinkle-effect black paint. One box houses the transformers along with the mains switch, main fuse and a fuse for each different voltage, the other has the circuit boards. The enclosures are connected together with two different bundles of wires. All the connectors are basic off the shelf stuff. I added a grounding terminal too, just in case.

As far as the sound, well, I have only listened a couple of albums so far, but already I can say that this one has a much more ”present” sound, like a veil has been removed between me and the music.

This one has the clone chip, I may or may not try to source a genuine TDA1541A later. But this will do for now.

This was a fun (well, mostly anyway) project, and the end result is quite amazing. Thanks Vlad

[vlad1980]

Hi Karl,

I am glad that everything is ok and you like the sound.
The replacement of TDA1541A with 8XTDA1387 is very good and I like the sound of this DAC. For 10 USD is excellent. 

Have fun and listen good music.

Vlad

[Eliad]

For this kit, what type of inputs will take? I didn't see it in the description.

[vlad1980]

Hi,

The PCB is with coaxial SPDIF and optical input but I provide the KIT with coax SPDIF only.

Regards,
Vlad

For this kit, what type of inputs will take? I didn't see it in the description.

[vlad1980]

Is harder and harder to find TDA1514 chips.
I was lucky and I succed to buy 5 pcs and I will build few more DAC kits.

If you know where I can get TDA1541 at a fair price, please let me know.

Thank you,
Vlad

[Eliad]

Have you consider using a different chip?
I build Elekit PS-3249 kit and uses a different DAC chip, it sounds really good and you can use USB input with this. I am using it with a Raspberry PI. Tidal streaming service sounds very good, Spotify sounds good too but at times not as good as Tidal.

[stratokaster83]

Have you consider using a different chip?
I build Elekit PS-3249 kit and uses a different DAC chip, it sounds really good and you can use USB input with this. I am using it with a Raspberry PI. Tidal streaming service sounds very good, Spotify sounds good too but at times not as good as Tidal.

You can use a USB input with the TDA1541 as well, you just need a USB to I2S interface.

[vlad1980]

I have tested few DACs until now and I can say that TDA1541 is my favorite.
I am thinking to a project with I2S input only and  the DAC& tube output on the same PCB.
There are multiple convertors from USB to I2S. I have an Amanero but never tested until now.

Regards,
Vlad
   

Have you consider using a different chip?
I build Elekit PS-3249 kit and uses a different DAC chip, it sounds really good and you can use USB input with this. I am using it with a Raspberry PI. Tidal streaming service sounds very good, Spotify sounds good too but at times not as good as Tidal.