Cheap hi-end system - version 2
by Andrea Ciuffoli - started in the May 2008 - end in the July 2008

INTRODUCTION

This born to create a cheap and good complete system with hi-end sonic performances superior to many commercial medium and high price systems.
The  first Cheap hi-end system was not enough good for my commitment so I have created this new system and now the final result is impressive also for me.

Some characteristics:

• build this project is simple but it use some custom pcb boards for the DAC
• it use the best components on the market like Caddock resistor, Sanyo OS-CON capacitors and the new amorphous C-core transformers by Lundahl.
• no-oversampling DAC to get a natural sound (see article about on Sakura system)
• vacuum tube stage inside the DAC
• very short signal path
• only two active components after the DAC chip (one vacuum tube triode and one power amplifier chip)
• usb input option to ear the music stored on the pc
• wired with all stranded tinned copper wire with pvc isulator

COMPONENTS

photo (click to enlarge)	description	price in euro
	LM3875 Dual Mono Kit by www.heao.it with components close to the Gaincard amplifier produced by http://www.sakurasystems.com with a price about $,1500 and review  on this magazine http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/equipment/999/47review.htm	159
	In all my projects I am using a DACT stepper attenuator instead of the normal ALPS or NOBLE solution, but in this case, with a limited budget i have used a blue Alps 50k+50k. got from Audiokit webshop	20
	4 x Loudspeakers connectors BPF 105 got from Audiokit webshop	14
	7 x RJP420 r 421 Chassis Female RCA got from Audiokit webshop	20
	Hi-Fi 2000 2 x chassie GX 383  with internal size 330 x 230 x 80 + 1 x GX 147 for the usb-spdif conv. got from Audiokit webshop (2 item)	86
	4 x Tasker SP60 for the custom analog cable	16
	4 x Tasker SP59 for the custom digital cable	16
	Solid Anodized Aluminium Knobs DCR AM 40 Black Dxh 40x22 got from Audiokit webshop	10
	8 x Rubber Foot mm 38 diameter 18 mm height mm 6 holed got from Audiokit webshop	8
	DAC End with a sinlge AD1865, a true hi-end DAC with characteristics similar to the reference AudioNote products. This is a very good digital source ready for future upgrade to vacuum tube amplifier.	600
	USB to Spdif converter in Kit/2 only 49$ got from http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html	30
	Power supply 15A switches (3 items) got from RS Components   RS Stock No. 665-679 Manufacturer APEM Manufacturers Part No. 641NH/2	10
	SilverMIca Zero-One by Voodoo Cable custom 2 x 25-35cm	70
	Shipping costs of these parts	100

The total are:

CD PLAYER or CD TRANSPORT

The unique CD player for Hi-end DIY is the CDPRO2M  from: www.diy-high-end.com

An valid alternative could be any low cost CD Player or DVD Player with spdif output.

DAC

see DAC End webpage

The amplifier will follows the sound of this true hi-end DAC given a top level result.

Probably it is possible reduce the cost of this DAC and get similar sound characteristics using normal Lundahl transformers.

AMPLIFIER

This Gainclone kit give a very good power able to drive many loudspeakers without problems and the sound is very neutral.

It use an ultra fast power supply like the original project.

Photo and measurements

I have used in all the measurements the Clio system by Audiomatica with the Transit by M-Audio to use the USB port of my portable pc (instead of the PCI audio board) and with the Audiophile USB by M-Audio to increase resolution and to use my laptop.

Here some test on 8 ohm load at 6w and 29w.

USB TO SPDIF

This USB to Spdif converter has been created using the Kit/2 only 49$ got from http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html and a 5v rele' to add an automatic switch of digital sources.