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| Copyright 2009, The Pacific Valve & Electric Company |
Pacific Valve Musiland MD-10 Modified
Product Details
We took on the audacious goal of modifying one of the best selling USB DACs of all time, the Musiland
MD 10. Our design goals were to create a solid state version of our famed Brigatta without the need for
the Windows DSP software so that MAC users could benefit from a state-of-the-art USB DAC. The
result: we came close, very close.
We ripped out the current MD10 power supply and supplied dual Noratel 15VA trannies and power
supplies: one for the powering the Cirrus CS4398 chip and one for the analogue circuit. On the digital
side, we took the 1ppm TCXO clock structure in our version of the Vanguard CDM12, regulated it with a
separate power supply and used it to drive the conversion process. In addition to this, all caps in the
digital domain were replaced with Nichicon “HD” caps.
Next came the Analogue section where the Analogue Devices AD8599 OP AMP is replaced with an ultra
low distortion, ultra low noise Burr Brown OP275. As a cap replacement, we used the highly musical
Vishay BC high grade “136”.
So what does it sound like? The Modified MD10 has the refinement of the Brigatta on the high end
where a taming process smoothes out the highs yet carries the detail of the original MD10. In the upper
midrange registers, gone is any trace of hardness where it becomes tube like and laid back resulting in
a significant removal of “digitis” that plagues USB connection and bad conversion processes. The low
becomes firm and resolute where the dual power supplies provide plenty of current in this area.
Over all, a great modification of a classic, soon to be a classic of its own.
MD 10. Our design goals were to create a solid state version of our famed Brigatta without the need for
the Windows DSP software so that MAC users could benefit from a state-of-the-art USB DAC. The
result: we came close, very close.
We ripped out the current MD10 power supply and supplied dual Noratel 15VA trannies and power
supplies: one for the powering the Cirrus CS4398 chip and one for the analogue circuit. On the digital
side, we took the 1ppm TCXO clock structure in our version of the Vanguard CDM12, regulated it with a
separate power supply and used it to drive the conversion process. In addition to this, all caps in the
digital domain were replaced with Nichicon “HD” caps.
Next came the Analogue section where the Analogue Devices AD8599 OP AMP is replaced with an ultra
low distortion, ultra low noise Burr Brown OP275. As a cap replacement, we used the highly musical
Vishay BC high grade “136”.
So what does it sound like? The Modified MD10 has the refinement of the Brigatta on the high end
where a taming process smoothes out the highs yet carries the detail of the original MD10. In the upper
midrange registers, gone is any trace of hardness where it becomes tube like and laid back resulting in
a significant removal of “digitis” that plagues USB connection and bad conversion processes. The low
becomes firm and resolute where the dual power supplies provide plenty of current in this area.
Over all, a great modification of a classic, soon to be a classic of its own.
| Features |
Specifications
24bit System, up to 192kHz Sampling Frequency
Class A Earphone Amplifier
CIRRUS Flagship CS4398 D/A Chip,
Up to 120Db SNR
Dual digital filtering: 102 db or 75 db
MUSILAND Balance Analog Filter class A AMP.
Class A Earphone Amplifier
CIRRUS Flagship CS4398 D/A Chip,
Up to 120Db SNR
Dual digital filtering: 102 db or 75 db
MUSILAND Balance Analog Filter class A AMP.
Details
BNC, Coax, Toslink and USB inputs.
Volume control for line out and Headphone
jack (1/8"). Graphic display menu shows
incoming sampling frequency to 192 kHz.
The Musiland MD-10 ships from Chicago,
IL..
Volume control for line out and Headphone
jack (1/8"). Graphic display menu shows
incoming sampling frequency to 192 kHz.
The Musiland MD-10 ships from Chicago,
IL..
Gallery
Click on the image to enlarge
The Musiland MD-10 Modified is well
known on the web
known on the web
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Customers comment on their Musialnd
MD 10 Modified experience.
MD 10 Modified experience.
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Pacific Valve
Bringing Value to the Audiophile Since 2003
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