My Ebay AK4396 Dac up and running

[Ali Tait]

It's a great dac IMHO. I have one with a valve output stage which Nick built for me. It is as good or better than any dac I've ever heard. At about 25 quid it's a bloody bargain, and the 4396 chip has been used in some pricey gear, including the Logitech transformer.

The difference between the 4393 and 4396 is that the 96 will output hi rez files.

[Ali Tait]

There is a marathon thread on this board here-

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digit...5532-a-35.html

[john & Jake the dog]

[quote=

The difference between the 4393 and 4396 is that the 96 will output hi rez files.[/QUOTE]

Hi Ali, could you explain please in sound terms as would rather order from the uk if poss.

[alnewall]

Colin.

Expect some changes in the sound during the first 100 or so hours.
When you think it has settled, try swapping the input cap for a Wima FKP2.
Don't usually like Wima caps, but this one is spot on. It's a significant upgrade.

Other listed mods may work for you, but i found this to be the most worthwhile.

[colin.hepburn]

Originally Posted by alnewall

Colin.

Expect some changes in the sound during the first 100 or so hours.
When you think it has settled, try swapping the input cap for a Wima FKP2.
Don't usually like Wima caps, but this one is spot on. It's a significant upgrade.

Other listed mods may work for you, but i found this to be the most worthwhile.

Hi Alnewall
Thanks for the tip on the Wima FKP2 i also have some Oscon cap but i think they will be fitted to the second Dac with a Valve buffer and also change the psu caps for some thing better

[Ali Tait]

Originally Posted by john & Jake the dog

Hi Ali, could you explain please in sound terms as would rather order from the uk if poss.

It means the 96 will play music files at higher than cd resolution, like 24/96 and up to 24/192.

[john & Jake the dog]

cheers Ali, the hint has been dropped to my GF for an early Christmas pressie.
Have left the Atlas lying around open at the far East

[alnewall]

Originally Posted by john & Jake the dog

cheers Ali, the hint has been dropped to my GF for an early Christmas pressie.
Have left the Atlas lying around open at the far East

You may end up with a beef chop suey instead.

[colin.hepburn]

Well last night I wanted to try my pioneer PD-801 stable platter CD player trouble is it only has an optical out so I had ordered a powered optical to coaxial converter and 0.5m optical cable connect it all up theAK4396 Dac
first impressions were not good but after an hour or so it started to sing I was well impressed by the sound of this PD-801 stable platter CD player with the dac some say that optical is not that good compared to coaxal don't know but with the converter it is brilliant

[pre65]

I use one of those on the optical digital out on my TV.

Really good sound on music via my DAC ie Proms , classical concerts and BBC-4.