ECP DSHA3F Ravenswood 3F

Pot-dependent noise is from the source, or you're picking up magnetic or electrical interference. Has the amp or its cabling moved closer to something with big transformers? Is it sitting right on top of that BF2?

 

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm 99.8% sure that I checked it for noise when I first got it and was impressed by how quiet it was through the entire volume range.

I only went that far after inserting a Goldpoint SA1X upstream to test what @dsavitsk said about how "reducing the volume prior to sending it to the amp can be beneficial". I can still happily use it like this below 12 o'clock with the Goldpoint attenuating the input signal, giving me more usable range with the volume knob.

Nope.

It's in the same location that I originally installed it in my "rack", about 6" below the SW51 which is powered off. The noise is worse with no cables other than the power cable attached (i.e. no source), and is the same with XLR cable attached but not connected to anything. It's the same in my rack or in a different room with nothing else nearby.

It's slightly better (but I can still hear it) and sounds the same connected to:

• BF2 balanced (w/ or w/o SA1X in between)
• BF2 SE (pins 1 & 3 shorted)

Just swapped back to the nickel transformers, behaviour is the same. Not that I thought it was that, but because I messed with them I wanted to rule it out.

It's slightly louder in the L channel. Occasionally there's a high pitched whine when I crank the volume knob, but it goes away if I back it off and crank it again. I thought it might be my tinnitus, but it seems to be correlated with the position of the volume knob but intermittent.

Anyway, not a big deal, just thought I'd see if anyone had any ideas. I can't hear anything from 7:00 to 12:00 which is plenty of usable range.

 

Are the DAC and amp plugged in the same power strip?

 

Yes, both into a TrippLite ISOBAR Ultra. But as I said. It hums worse when plugged into a different circuit in a different room with nothing connected, the same as when in the rack but with inputs disconnected.

And I'm 99.8% sure it didn't hum when I first connected it to my system.

 

Noise definitely means something is amiss. You are welcome to email me to see if we can't figure it out.

 

I own an amorphous 3F at location #1 and a nickel 3F at location #2. Since I've gone all in for HQPlayer>Holo DACs at both locations and Stellaris for tube sessions, I've been finding the amorphous 3F subdued, flat, compared to Stellaris, and even to the nickel 3F. This with various ZMF dynamics (Atrium, VO, VC). I'm getting Caldera this week and after burn-in I'll check again with the amorphous 3F, but I'm wondering if I just go nickel at location #1, either by swapping it whole with some nickel owner who is looking for amorphous for their own pairing reasons, or by finding and being able to install the nickel transformers on the amorphous 3F. Thoughts from the experts here?

 

I have nickel one with me and I always felt it's better in staging and is closer to tube amp as compared to Amorphous.

 

@earnmyturns I am not familiar with your phones or DACs, but do check for DC offset. It can be worse for the amorphous IPTs than the nickel (it's not great for either) and it doesn't take much to cause an issue.

 

Wow, thank you, that's something I should have thought of, because I needed a DC offset remover (Emotiva CMX-2) for another component whose big transformer was humming. I'll test.

 

That's a different issue. The Emotiva is meant for AC line offset. I am talking about DC offset on the output of the DAC. You'll need a multimeter to test it.

 

Thanks, just measured with the basic multimeter I own, DC well below 1 mV.

 

New factory samples incoming...finally in the home stretch!

 

Damn, that looks nice.

 

I love the pattern on the wooden side panels!

 

I don't need this but I need this.

 

love the side panels... not sure about the golden knob... looks like it needs a regular polishing...

 

^Anodized aluminum to look like brass, so I hope not!

Edit: I have been handling a "light-champagne" colored version for months now with no issues. There is a slight texture from turning and a satin finish that seems good for a volume knob that will be used often.

 

I have been very fortunate to have the version prior to final production, which is only cosmetic in changes, for listening and measurements over the last several months. Holo Spring 3 + DSHA-3FN + HD800-JAR is a formidable combination with system synergy achieving a pinnacle in listening enjoyment.

Measurements on Holo Spring 3 and DSHA-3FN coming soon, as time permits.

 

Looks great! I'm dissapointed that the first run is 120V only but I'll patienty wait for the 230V version if it ever happens.