Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

[suiramix]

Hi,
Just purchased a cheap USB DAC (SA 9023 and ES9018k2m) and based on some reviews this will sound way better after the capacitors are being replaced with some Nichicon brand. So far the sound is acceptable but the lower freq are missing and kind of harsh treble...the PCB has two Elna Silmic caps for power supply only 100uF/16V (on the board the value is 220uF) ...probably ok since the 5V is from USB...the audio output are SHL brand 220uF/25V (as you can see kind of small size ). Question: should I replace all or those SHL with something better ? I have some TK audio grade caps (hard to find the specs) from almost new Onkyo receiver.
Thanks!

[Khron]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

The SHL is the series, that logo is Samyoung's.

If anything, you could first try to figure out what cap has what role. I'm not a fan of replacing parts willy-nilly.

That being said, i'm kinda-sorta prejudiced against "audio caps", especially from doubtful brands...

[suiramix]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

Thanks Khron, honestly I was expecting even worse knock-off chinese caps ...those SHL has only 6 mm diameter and is hard to find (ELNA) audio grade replacement for the same value (220uF/25V)...

[Longbow]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

Hi,
Just purchased a cheap USB DAC (SA 9023 and ES9018k2m) and based on some reviews this will sound way better after the capacitors are being replaced with some Nichicon brand.

Replacing the stock parts won't hurt anything, and it might be fun as well. Do you really think that the sound will be "way better"? Why not be sure and run a sweep through this circuit and see if there is any difference? Please post the before and after frequency response.

[mariushm]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

You don't have to use the same diameter capacitors.
Those 220uF 25v capacitors can be replaced by wider diameter ones, for example if you're not obsessed with how the board looks you could place the new capacitors horizontally (have the electrolytic capacitors stay a few mm above above those yellow tantalum capacitors) and just bend the leads.

You can probably also use larger voltage rated capacitors as well, and if those capacitors are used for audio decoupling, it's probably safe to go up to maybe 330-470uF with the capacitance, without losing quality.

Digikey stocks Nichicon FW and KW and KT ... FW < KW and KT is basically just 105v rated standard audio (not sure how it relates to FW and KW)
I'd personally go with KW series... they're only 2000h @ 85c but it's a fricking sound DAC running at room temperature... they'll last decades at those low temperatures.

220uF 25v KW : http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...9-1-ND/4317735

220uF 25v FW : http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...127-ND/1964119

There's also 270uF/330uF/390uF/470uF and 25v-50v rated versions here: http://www.digikey.com/short/3f89v3

With the way prices are set on Digikey, rather than buying 3 or 5 capacitors, you'd get almost same price if you buy 10.

[suiramix]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

Thanks guys...longbow, yes it it fun to upgrade something cheap to sound like high-end brand...but to run a sweep probably require some expensive equipment and tools (not avail at this time)!
Mariushm, I will check with digikey.com and send you a pm.

[Khron]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvireu2SGZM

as well as

https://xiph.org/video/vid2.shtml

[suiramix]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

Just a quick update regarding this project...received from www.partsconnexion.com (Canada) Elna Silmic II and Nichicon AK capacitors and last night I did the replacement ... the sound is amazing clear, more volume, lower and high freq really crisp !!!

[Khron]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

I don't suppose you've done any actual double-blind ABX testing, have you?

[suiramix]

Re: Breeze Audio USB DAC cap mods

Yes, I did that...had two other subjects and the verdict was unanimous !!!
My intention was to "squeeze" a second pair of Elna caps instead on Nichicon KA, but was not sufficient room. I am curious to hear how is DAC after break-in period...
Cheers!