ANK DAC 4.1 Build

New build I need to start soon, between holiday get-togethers, shopping...etc not easy finding the time, but I'm sure I'll figure it out! Thank you audiobill for helping me select this one and the suggestion to post some photos as it gets built. Here are a couple of starter photos:

Do you have a link to those blue helping hand things?
I could use some almost every time I get the soldering iron out.

Dave_in_Va wrote:Do you have a link to those blue helping hand things?
I could use some almost every time I get the soldering iron out.

Here are a couple of links:

https://www.amazon.com/Third-Soldering-Workshop-Non-Slip-Aluminum/dp/B07BQFB44J/ref=sr_1_9?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1544597244&sr=1-9&keywords=helping+hands+soldering+aid
From this link you can view many different versions.

I have this PCB holder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dave_in_Va wrote:Do you have a link to those blue helping hand things?
I could use some almost every time I get the soldering iron out.

https://www.quadhands.com/
https://www.quadhands.com/collections/all


I have one of these options - and I can attest that it is strong, steady, makes tight flexes if necessary, and made in USA. Sold through Amazon.

The movable magnetic arms are very useful. Note that the ends are threaded such that alligator clips are not the only option.

Thanks.

I made that one out of a piece of thick aluminum I got on eBay. Drilled the holes, tapped the holes and then screwed those cnc coolant nozzles.

https://www.amazon.com/Uxcell-a15091400ux0601-Nozzle-Flexible-Coolant/dp/B018RT31R4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1544617733&sr=8-3&keywords=cnc+coolant+nozzle

All:

This is a very unique R2R multibit, non over sampling, tube rectified, tube analog output, interstage and C-core output transformer coupled dac with no digital filters. Whew!

And, as Bluemeanies and I can attest this piece sounds absolutely fabulous.

Not cheap, but the good stuff in life rarely is.

And please don't buy into the "all dacs sound the same" nonsense. They don't.

audiobill wrote:All:


And please don't buy into the "all dacs sound the same" nonsense.  They don't.

Not to quibble - Unique is a singular state. "Very" does not apply

I would never state that "All DACs sound the same. However, I would state that the DA Function is entirely the same, one-to-another. Where differences lie are in the analog functions.

Peter, not to quibble, but you may wish to acquaint yourself with the differences between single and multibit dacs, and differences in how digital filtering is handled.  The ANK uses the AD 1865 chip, not some Sabre variant.

Very different, beyond just the analog output stage.

It's kind of like concluding that all phono cartridges are the same, since their job is to extract an electrical signal from grooves in vinyl, and the phono preamp is the only differentiating factor.

From the ANK website, the parts quality and such are awesome.

And the thing is beautiful on the inside -- such a shame to cover it up with that plain black box.

And for a DAC, it's HUGE!!!  At least you're getting a substantial amount of 'stuff' for the money.

I'm sure it does sound awesome.

Me?  I just bought a Latino ST-120, so I can't afford this type of thing.

I did buy a new DAC right before I bought the ST-120 -- a Schiit Modi Multibit DAC (Mimby) -- for a whopping $250.  And the size of a couple of packs of cigarettes.

I'm an analog fanatic anyway, so spending more than $500 on a DAC is sacrilegious to me.

How does the Mimby sound?  Awesome, especially through the ST-120, especially for $250.  And no buyer remorse.  For $250 it could sound like Schiit and I wouldn't be burnt too bad.  And they even had a 15-day return policy, but when warmed up this thing is the Schiit!!!!  I'm a believer in multi-bit DAC's.

Enjoy!

audiobill wrote:Peter, not to quibble, but you may wish to acquaint yourself with the differences between single and multibit dacs, and differences in how digital filtering is handled.  The ANK uses the AD 1865 chip, not some Sabre variant.

Very different, beyond just the analog output stage.

It's kind of like concluding that all phono cartridges are the same, since their job is to extract an electrical signal from grooves in vinyl, and the phono preamp is the only differentiating factor.

I do not put transducers (mechanical) in the same category as chip sets. Nor do I put what is at either end of the chip set into the all-sounds-alike category.

Some primary wiring and start of the power supply board. Missing a 100 ohm resistor and the "pre-made" grnd wire had the wrong size connector on it, loose fit on the IEC made new wire (actually used the extra length of wire from the M-125 transformers to make the grnd wire).

I am not responding to quibble about anything. Just to make a statement that the ANK 4.1 LE external dac completed my system. Prior I owned the Grace design m925 processor/dac which was no slouch but stepping up to the Audionote made a noticeable difference as to what I am hearing.
It is a perfect match for my SP14.
cci1492 enjoy your journey.
Let us know what you think.

Some more pics of the power supply.

Guys, please let me know if at any point I jump the shark here. My plan was to build the thing and then just post a picture or two here.

Waiting for next report!!

This is it though, wifey has me on very short leash now. Off for the Christmas holiday and the hammer came down hard this AM...got the schedule for the week and building the dac wasn't on it!

Nice work! Keep the reports coming.

Nice cci1492...very clean looking.
Looking forward to read your description of what your ears and brain are hearing.
Listening to some blues thru the 4.1...

That's the stuff!!

The black lead on the last transformer picture seems very close to another connector.
And, is'nt these transformer lugs intended to "crimp disconnects  ( http://www.elecdirect.com/crimp-wire-terminals/disconnect-terminals-fully-insulated/cfr4na187f-are-fully-insulated-female-disconnects-crimp-terminals-22-18ga-wire-red-187-nylon-100pk) ?  
Crimping often gives more reliable conections, and it won't heat the transformer lugs.

PS/
now i think the name is "female spade connector" ( https://www.mouser.se/images/3m/lrg/72F-250-32-NL.jpg )
/DS

Yes Peter, you are correct on both points. My intention was to show how I wrapped the wires around the lug. After taking the picture the wire was crimped down and soldered. Regarding the crimp wire terminal observation, Audio Note's instructions prescribes solder, hence the hole at the middle outer edge of the terminal.

Peter W. wrote:Not to quibble - Unique is a singular state. "Very" does not apply

SNARK ALERT: I’ve been sitting on my fingers all night, and I’m feeling a little strident. Correcting someone’s grammatical faux pas is not cool. Says more about you than your target.

SNARK ALERT: I’ve been sitting on my fingers all night, and I’m feeling a little strident. Correcting someone’s grammatical faux pas is not cool. Says more about you than your target.

I would respectfully disagree, and rather strongly.

Language is a means of communication, and we are communicating often at a technical level.

So, I DO NOT (necessarily) know what you mean.
I DO (and only) know what you wrote.
In a technical discussion, speculation on what is/was meant is very dangerous.

So when poor grammar causes a departure from accuracy, or a clouding of meaning, then the opportunity for error multiplies.

I have no issues with awkward language.
I have no issues with spelling.
I have no issues with sentence construction as not everyone has a) English as a first language & b) near-fanatical teachers in grades 1 - 12.
But, I do have issues with poor grammar, especially that which dilutes and confuses meaning and accuracy.