AliExpress Cirmech WM-013 CS4398 DAC - review and measurements

[Wesseling Audio Lab]

Anyone notice? Dual AC 12-18V

 

[niamex]

This one is very difficult to manipulate - too small components onboard. There is a better, little bit more expensive variant, with through hole components - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100....order_list.order_list_main.86.223e1802Z8K51S

 

[niamex]

Anyone notice? Dual AC 12-18V

Not neceserally, using it with 12V mono AC and have not heared any difference in sound

 

[niamex]

Or that one - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...|x_object_id:1005009587023716|_p_origin_prod:

 

[Wesseling Audio Lab]

Anyone notice? Dual AC 12-18V

The board in OP runs with 2x12-18V AC not DC! It will run with DC Into the rectifier, post 25. Unless, I'm missing something.

 

[Wesseling Audio Lab]

The board in OP has not given me any audible Issues. This, a major attraction! It looks to be built well enough!
I will be getting more for budget DSP board and DACS in same chassis

 

[audio_tony]

This one is very difficult to manipulate - too small components onboard. There is a better, little bit more expensive variant, with through hole components - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100....order_list.order_list_main.86.223e1802Z8K51S

This board performs very well without any mods.

 

[Wesseling Audio Lab]

This board performs very well without any mods.

Measurements Anywhere?

 

[niamex]

Measurements Anywhere?

Lot of them, search the thread

 

[Wesseling Audio Lab]

Very nice, I think I purchase one. thanks!

 

[niamex]

And than it easy to get the stream directly from the 4398 /just unsolder the three resistors there and connect the 4398 directly to the preamp - I suppose trere are some caps 0.1 uF or whatever on the inlet to block DC. In my case this worked without any problem. NO OPAMP.

 

[audio_tony]

And than it easy to get the stream directly from the 4398 /just unsolder the three resistors there and connect the 4398 directly to the preamp - I suppose trere are some caps 0.1 uF or whatever on the inlet to block DC. In my case this worked without any problem. NO OPAMP.

Not quite that simple. The 4398 has a balanced output - so unless you are connecting it directly to balanced preamp this won't work.

And even then, some basic filtering will be needed as the output of the CS4398 contains significant out-of-band quantization noise from the Delta-Sigma modulator. Without a low-pass filter this noise can cause intermodulation distortion in your preamp or even overheat your tweeters.

In short - stick with the standard output opamp and filtering. It does no harm to the sound whatsoever.

 

[niamex]

Not quite that simple. The 4398 has a balanced output - so unless you are connecting it directly to balanced preamp this won't work.

And even then, some basic filtering will be needed as the output of the CS4398 contains significant out-of-band quantization noise from the Delta-Sigma modulator. Without a low-pass filter this noise can cause intermodulation distortion in your preamp or even overheat your tweeters.

In short - stick with the standard output opamp and filtering. It does no harm to the sound whatsoever.

View attachment 512863

Thanks for your comment. Funny enough in my case everything is going well, without any problems mentioned in your post. Unballanced output, no distortion issues. Maybe we are talking about different DACs. Mine is not Cirmech WM-013 DAC but this one -ttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009589207295.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.86.4cb51802ZcS9Mr and than X10D pre. Please check and comment,
Thanks

 

[niamex]

Thanks for your comment. Funny enough in my case everything is going well, without any problems mentioned in your post. Unballanced output, no distortion issues. Maybe we are talking about different DACs. Mine is not Cirmech WM-013 DAC but this one -ttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009589207295.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.86.4cb51802ZcS9Mr and than X10D pre. Please check and comment,
Thanks

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009589207295.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.86.4cb51802ZcS9Mr

 

[niamex]

I believe that is the schem

atic -

 

[audio_tony]

That is the DAC I'm referring to. For clarity - how are you connecting it exactly? (detail as in which pins you are taking the signal from etc...)

 

[wwenze]

This is what happens when people don't measure after modding their DACs

Review from headfi:

The Oritek modded Zhaolu 2.5. This came into my house after an upgrade to my speaker system and the need for a flexible source. After hearing the Squeezebox at the International Meet I was sold. Ast had recommended the Oritek to me and on his recommendation it found a new home. A few small details first. The output voltage is much lower and we had to turn the volume up a little higher than usual (not greater than 1100 on the WA6 which is a little higher than what I am used to with the NS9100ES). It runs MUCH cooler than the Zap Filter. Ori did a great build on these and the new faceplate looks great! Now to the details. The first thing that came to mind every time we switched was that this sounds much more realistic or real. The soundstage is HUGE in all directions. Voices are where then should be, in front of me not in the middle of my head. The separation of instruments was much more apparent with the larger soundstage and you could take the time to enjoy each of them on their own and together. The midrange is better with the Oritek. Acoustic guitar sounds like a guitar and you can feel the resonance of the sound in the guitar body. This was lost with the Zap Filter. Voices are much more involving and have a better body to them. With the larger soundstage you felt as if they were singing to you, not in you. The highs were a little recessed in comparison but not absent, just not as pronounced. You could enjoy them without having to take your focus off the body of the music. Bass is strong but not overpowering; enjoyable is a good way to put it. The overall presentation felt ‘realistic’ or at least that is how we felt after a couple of hours of going back and forth.

Review from Amirm:

 

[niamex]

Hi, from pins 23 and 20. Only - no negative connections. I maybe wrong but it works, Any suggestions welcomed.
Thanks

 

[niamex]

That is the DAC I'm referring to. For clarity - how are you connecting it exactly? (detail as in which pins you are taking the signal from etc...)

Sorry, reply is abovew

 

[niamex]

That is the DAC I'm referring to. For clarity - how are you connecting it exactly? (detail as in which pins you are taking the signal from etc...)

Since I am not an EE and do not understand circuits clearly, please have a look at the attached which seems to be kind of a mod /not clear by whom/ and explain the reason for that mode ? I can see an LP 2950 3.3 added there but coudn't find the sorce of negative 3.3 V for CS 8416 ?