Hej.
Jako posiadacz North Stara - mam pytanie do obecnych uzytkownikow (pewnie gdzies sie ukrywaja).
Czy ktos z Was probowal modowac swojego DACa ? W sieci popularny jest Turbo Mod wykonywany przez Empirical Audio.
DAC juz na starcie gra kulturalnie, gladko, z dotykiem ciepla i dobrym wypelnieniem, barwnie.
Nie planuje nic robic w najblizszej przyszlosci - ale dobrze wiedziec.
Oto komentarz do moda:
Northstar M192 DAC Turbomod
The Northstar M192 DAC comes to us from Italy. Guiseppe, the designer has
been very innovative in providing an I2S input interface on this DAC. The I2S
interface is compatible with the "Northstar" version of the Off-Ramp I2S, but
also works fine with the standard Off-Ramp I2S. It requires a special "inverse"
I2S cable. There is also a Northstar 192 Transport with I2S output if you prefer
to avoid the computer route.
It has the best currently available 24/192 upsampling chipset for those that use
the S/PDIF inputs. The I2S interface goes directly to the DAC chip, which is an old,
but very popular standard, the CS4396 (no upsampling on I2S). The output
stage is fully discrete and uses very few transistors/FETs. Lots of separate power
supplies for good noise-immunity.
Besides being a very attractive component, the modded Northstar 192 has an
almost tube-like smoothness, but without the HF roll-off or bloom of tubes or the
compression that sometimes comes with Op-amp stages. It is an open, easy-
flowing sound with incredible clarity due to the I2S interface. Dynamics are
impressive and bass is tight and sufficient. We judge it equal in performance with
the Turbomodded Benchmark DAC-1, with the Northstar being slightly smoother
on vocals and the Benchmark being slightly more detailed and faster due to the
newer D/A chip in the Benchmark.
Driven from an Off-Ramp I2S or the Northstar 192 Transport, this is a wonderful-
sounding DAC that will trounce most DAC's in the $10K-$15K range. Definitely
world-class sound, very organic 3-D and fatigue-free. The Spoiler outperforms it of
course. It will take 16/44.1 data or 24/96 data from the Off-Ramp I2S, or the
Pace-Car reclocker.
The Turbomod includes:
1. Improvements to the I2S interface
2. Improvements to the digital signal path and digital power delivery
3. DAC power delivery improvements
4. DAC PLL filter improvements
5. Post-DAC filter improvements
6. Output stage power delivery improvements - Black Gates etc..
7. Power supply improvements - lots of HEXFREDS, some new regulators
Recommended accessories:
1. Top-Fuel power cord
2. Bitmeister S/PDIF digital cable
3. Revelation Cryo-Silver I2S cable - must be reverse version with Off-Ramp or Pace-Car
Pricing:
Turbomod complete - $900.00
New Northstar M192 DAC with Turbomod - $2750.00
Superclock4 option (affects only upsampled S/PDIF inputs) - $550
Mods take approximately one week to install, depending on backlog.
Please send us an email and we will arrange for payment and shipment.
Reviews:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1201458227&read&3&4&
"I never dreamed that digital could sound so good. I couldn't be more pleased."
Tom
January 2008
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/empirical/offramp.html"I preferred the tonal balance of the Northstar DAC"
"Continuing down the playlist with the computer and Northstar DAC, the
hallmark sound of the Off-Ramp I²S became increasingly apparent. From
Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, St. Louis Symphony under Leonard
Slatkin [Mobile Fidelity SACD UDSACD 4004]), through Massenet's Le Cid
[Klavier KCD-11007], clarity, detail, bass authority and a low distortion
presentation overall was evident. This was the best that Dan's system had
ever sounded."
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/frmods.html#Northstar%20M192%20DAC%20Turbomod
