DOOD.CA: Guy Stuff

The first device I’m going to talk about is the Taddeo Passive Digital Antedote II… which I’ll call the PDA2 from here on in 🙂 This unit was sold and marketed by Taddeo Electronics at one point, which was designed to create a more liquid and less digital sounding source when using CDs for musical reproduction. A lot of people thought it a bunch of Nonsense, but this device might very well have some merit.

I have attached a schematic I made up of the Taddeo PDA2. It has the
component values on it. It shows just one channel. It’s possible that this schematic is a trade secret of sorts, but who knows… its now here for all of you to see.

A word on the components:

Resistors:

R1 is 1500 ohms
– I have used both metal film & Carbon composite
– no need to use greater than 1/4W. I’ve used 1/8W & 1/10W
– use low tolerance. 1% or better. I’ve used 0.1%, too

R2 is 640 ohms
– I’d use metal film only here 1/4W or less
– the tighter the tolerance, the better 1% is the maximum I’d go with. 0.5% or 0.1% would be even better

Inductors:

L1 & L2 are both 18mH
– try to get 5% tolerance, but 10% will do
– these will be handling very low voltages, so small iron-core types are fine. No need for air-core designs unless you want to spend a lot of money

Capacitors:

C1 & C2 are both 1.8nF
– good luck finding this value 🙂
– try for 2% tolerance or less. 1% is good & you might still stand a chance of finding something. Caps supposedly come in even tighter tolerances, but good luck, especially with this unusual value
– Mica caps give a slightly brighter, more detailed sound, polyethylene or polypropylene will be a bit mellower. Tantalum may work, but will be bright. Don’t use cheap polyester caps. I’ve used both mica & Philips PE caps with good results

The schematic has the components laid out in their proper physical layout, too. The schematic in the patent is a bit more confusing.

This device goes inline between the CDP or DAC and the preamp or, if you use higher wattage rated resistors (1/4 or 1/2W), between the preamp & power amp. Note that this may benefit tuners, VHS & cassette tapes, but will do only harm to the sounds of vinyl.

Most of the parts for this unit are available from Digikey or Allied Electronics or can be sourced locally… I’ll be interested to see if anyone tries to build this unit as it! Let me know what you think.

Schematic:

In the upcoming little while I will start to post articles on how to build your own Audio Components and Cable as well as Room Treatments. Upcoming in the plans I’d like to publish an article on building your own Power Conditioner as well as Passive Preamp and Phono Preamp, and Gainclone Monoblocks.

With the disolving of my Audio company, this seems the route to go. Problems with paypal have forced me to stop accepting orders since setting up a merchant account is not feasible.

Got a listen to the new Bryston BP26 preamplifier this weekend… very nice unit. This one had the DAC option, not a bad peice of kit for $5000. Coupled with the Bryston 4BSST power amplifier it really sang. Speakers were a pair of Monitor Audio’s top of the line Gold speakers.

Strength – This combination with the DAC has more detail than i’ve heard with just about anything I’ve heard recently, the breathing and detail when cymbals crashed was just mind-boggling. I have to say that as far as detail goes, this Preamp and DAC are at the top of the game, at any price. Amazing precision, and with the DAC portion turned off and fed by a Rega Saturn, it actually sounded extremely musical!

I preferred the sound of the Rega over the internal DAC, however, I can appreciate the sheer detail that was pulled out of the CDs with the Bryston’s internal DAC. Mid-bass was tamed, however, and low bass as well, though not to the degree.

Weakness – The DAC portion of the unit is very good, however it is not to my taste. It is very clinical and sterile sounding in it’s presentation.. I suppose it is a trade-off for all the detail that it fleshes out. I have noticed this is a prevailing trend in the hi-fidelity world. The highs are fatiguing and grating… it isn’t a system that I can listen to for very long, but the detail it presents is phenomenal.

Overall – I really liked the BP26 Preamp section as with the Rega Apollo feeding the analog inputs it sounded fantastic, with just the right amount of detail. Switching between that unit and a B&K Home Theatre setup did show some huge differences… much less mid and low-bass was present in the Bryston set-up. This is odd since Bryston typically has loads of bass. Perhaps more break-in?

The BP26 remote is fantastic, but I wish it would allow input switching. Overall, its an amazing sounding peice of machinery for the amount of money, but I would have liked a few more bells and whistles, such as a digital display, and input switching from the remote. I also did not like the way the DAC sounded, though I can see a lot of people liking it.

There are plenty of speakeres out there, and the $10K-$20K range is plentiful.. so where does one start in the search for the perfect loudspeaker with $20K in the pocket? Here is a bit of guidance with 5 models that I recommend:

Quad 2905 electrostatic : it and the 2805 are the best sounding Quads I’ve heard. Some Quad purist may still like the 57 more, which I can understand, but compared to the 63 and models that follow, the newest iteration of that basic design is better.

Gershman GAP 828: funky looking speaker, but, a nice warm, full-bodied speaker. With tons of listenability, all-day non-fatiguing sound.

Gradient Revolution: a very flexible speaker designed for rooms with problematic placement (can be placed near room walls and corners). Well below the price level, but, in the iteration with fully active crossover, and factoring the need for an extra amp, it is certainly in the range. As far as sound quality, it is certainly a contender – and from a small company from Finland, no less!

Magico Mini: If you want an amazing small, atand-mounted speaker, this is one to consider. The sound may be a touch lean and bright, but the dynamics and “energy” is quite addictive. It is low in efficiency, but the sound is somewhat like high efficiency speakers.

Gryphon Cantata: another small speaker that was quite impressive sounding. Not as dynamic and aggressive as the Magico, so it fits a different taste.

If you guys have not heard of FIM (First Impressions Music), I strongly urge you to take a look. Oftimes, its not the system that is lacking, but rather the availability of quality source redbook CD. There are many remasters and recordings that are especially good, and truly let your system shine, especially in the CD format. XRCD is one of these as well.

When visiting some audio dealers that are unaware of these recordings they will admit to being surprised by the quality of the music, and also remark that they have never heard the speakers they are selling sound that good. Do yourself a favour and give them a try!

Take a look at First Impressions Music here:
http://www.fimpression.com/