Gieseler Audio Sponsor Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Hi guys, well there are quite a few Klein DAC's out there now so I thought I would start a new topic just for owners. It might be a handy quick reference to compare filter settings, input quality comparison, testimonial's etc. regards Clay PS Liam, your DAC left today via Express Post Edited June 10, 2015 by Gieseler Audio 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qwerter Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Received this DAC today and, I must say, I am really impressed upon the initial listening session. 3D like and very organic sound. It is hard to pinpoint any particular area where it shines, it just does things right. Great instrument separation, tonal balance and vocals sound sublime. It is very easy to use all the cliché words, but this is a very special DAC. Huge, but not exaggerated sound stage. Good job, Clay! Edited June 10, 2015 by qwerter 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt200sr Posted June 10, 2015 Hi @@qwerter what are you feeding your Klein DAC with? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qwerter Posted June 10, 2015 Hi @@qwerter what are you feeding your Klein DAC with? PM'd 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankn Posted June 10, 2015 0s & 1s (couldn't resist ï¸) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ancientflatulence Posted June 10, 2015 @@frankn Tsk Tsk ......... there's always one .......... :-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kajak12 Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Hi @@qwerter what are you feeding your Klein DAC with? 240v i hope Edited June 10, 2015 by kajak12 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qwerter Posted June 10, 2015 240v i hope 230V +/-6% 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juicester Posted June 10, 2015 Would the Klein work off a 9v 3A linear psu? If so I will buy one. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
~Spyne~ Posted June 10, 2015 Would the Klein work off a 9v 3A linear psu? If so I will buy one. Only if it's AC output. Unlike most DACs that operate on DC voltage, the Klein uses AC input. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juicester Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) That's a shame. I wonder if @@Gieseler Audio would be able to do a DC version without too much difficulty? I'd say there is a decent market for people who would like to use external PSUs... Regards, Chris Edited June 10, 2015 by Juicester 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A J Posted June 10, 2015 I suspect that a good part of the Dacs performance is due to the power rectification/regulation designed within it. Having not heard this Dac it's pure speculation on my part, but I do know how important power delivery within digital circuits is. AJ 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naggots Posted June 10, 2015 Clay explains why he used the AC power supply here http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/79063-new-ak4490eq-dac-coming/?p=1349693 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gieseler Audio Sponsor Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Hi Juicester, Spyne is absolutely correct in that my DAC needs a AC supply. The reason for this is that internally the Klein has eight different regulated supplies & four of these have there own SIC/Schottky rectifiers setups. To try & run the DAC with a single DC input would severely compromise & cripple the performance. Also the output stage uses + & - 12 volt supplies, difficult to implement well with a single DC input supply. The current power pack is way over specified at 2.4 Amp, the DAC only draws abut 650 MA & with a class A output stage current draw does not vary much. As an experiment I compared a huge RS components IE core transformer to the plugpack I use & had great difficulty hearing any difference. I hope this has answered your question. Regards, Clay PS thanks AJ - absolutely spot on! Edited June 10, 2015 by Gieseler Audio 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juicester Posted June 11, 2015 I suspect that a good part of the Dacs performance is due to the power rectification/regulation designed within it. Having not heard this Dac it's pure speculation on my part, but I do know how important power delivery within digital circuits is. AJ Precisely my point. As good as the little power pack is; I'm very doubtful it's as good as my external linear PSU. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozcall Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) Precisely my point. As good as the little power pack is; I'm very doubtful it's as good as my external linear PSU. Juice an external ac powerpack is usually just a transformer. So my understanding is that the Klein dac has it's own sophisticated and dedicated Linear psu with external transformer, making an external linear psu irrelevant. Edited June 11, 2015 by Ozcall 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juicester Posted June 11, 2015 Juice an external ac powerpack is usually just a transformer. So my understanding is that the Klein dac has it's own sophisticated and dedicated Linear psu with external transformer, making an external linear psu irrelevant. I'm attached to mine though.... Anywho - thanks for the answers; and congrats on what seems to be a Giant Killer @@Gieseler Audio 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhobba Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) I suspect that a good part of the Dacs performance is due to the power rectification/regulation designed within it. Having not heard this Dac it's pure speculation on my part, but I do know how important power delivery within digital circuits is. Having chatted to Clay about how he designed this DAC its secret sauce is indeed its power supply. Clay has put a lot of work into it. Thanks Bill Edited June 11, 2015 by bhobba 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gieseler Audio Sponsor Posted June 16, 2015 How are you guys finding the filter switches? Any prefered settings? I find in my well damped room at home both up works best but say in a tiled room both down is better. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GPK Posted June 17, 2015 Picked up a Klein DAC yesterday so it's still early days. But first impressions... It's very natural sounding and not overly etched or detailed. Only tried the USB input so far and it's better with my iFI iUSB power. I didn't like up sampling with Audirvana. I prefer the filter switches both being up. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ancientflatulence Posted June 17, 2015 Sticking with both up in my room and with my ears .......... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ancientflatulence Posted June 17, 2015 Picked up a Klein DAC yesterday so it's still early days. But first impressions... It's very natural sounding and not overly etched or detailed. Only tried the USB input so far and it's better with my iFI iUSB power. I didn't like up sampling with Audirvana. I prefer the filter switches both being up. @GPK Just wondering ........ Where is the iFi iUSB power going, I thought the Klein didn't use USB power input ..... mine is running with a USB cable with no power wire ....... ?? 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill125812 Posted June 17, 2015 Hi guys Don't know if this is the right place to ask this But I have a Nad M51 at the moment Has anyone compared the Klein to the M51. I'm interested in the Kline but don't know if it would be an upgrade I'm gut feeling is yes it would So if you can help please do Cheers 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jventer Posted June 17, 2015 @@bhobba might know from experience. I have heard the "older" versions and loved them. M51 can do a few things that the Klein can't. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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