New How to Article Posted: EL-8 Custom Balanced Cables
Latest page added to Hallman Labs. Photo guide on making custom EL-8 cables.
Review #3 Goes Live! Burson Play Review
After what felt like forever, I have finally got the review into good enough shape to share most of it with you guys/gals! I hope you enjoy the review, I … Continue Reading Review #3 Goes Live! Burson Play Review
Testing 500x Microscope out on 1000V Sprague (K631788-14) Capacitor (folded/rolled design)
Don’t see this very often, even in classes they didn’t have one of these that had cracked the wax. First two pictures are with a 50mm lens. I noticed … Continue Reading Testing 500x Microscope out on 1000V Sprague (K631788-14) Capacitor (folded/rolled design)
Complete Guide to Making I2S Cable from CAT6A & Connecting it to ES9038Pro DAC (Using Belden 1303E Catsnake™) Updated: 6/12/18
Note: You can open all images displayed on Hallman Labs in a larger view by right clicking and then using whatever your browser says to view the image. This … Continue Reading Complete Guide to Making I2S Cable from CAT6A & Connecting it to ES9038Pro DAC (Using Belden 1303E Catsnake™) Updated: 6/12/18
Update on Upcoming Burson Play Review
Overall I am extremely impressed with the Burson Audio v2.0 PCB Play, after doing a few small things I had a great result. The Play can do DSD128 with … Continue Reading Update on Upcoming Burson Play Review
Preview of Hardware Reviews in Progress with sAp-10 – Balanced Headphone Amp under $200 (also the Burson Play DAC/Amp)
Finally got a balanced (XLR in) headphone amp. 2.8 MHz is native DSD64 converted by DOP (DSD over PCM). This is a picture from my phone, but I wanted to … Continue Reading Preview of Hardware Reviews in Progress with sAp-10 – Balanced Headphone Amp under $200 (also the Burson Play DAC/Amp)
Old Meets New: Kenwood’s C-2 “Basic” Pre-amp gets a Burson Audio V6-OPA Facelift!
Update 6/2/18: I completed the discrete op-amp modification after I got the replacement diodes. You need to replace Diodes 11, 12, 13, & 14 with 16V Zener diodes. If you … Continue Reading Old Meets New: Kenwood’s C-2 “Basic” Pre-amp gets a Burson Audio V6-OPA Facelift!
High Res Photos of My New Sprague Tel-Ohmike TO-6A
Update – May 15, 2018: I have almost finished restoring the bottom of the unit (where most of the components are) and expect to have it working in the next … Continue Reading High Res Photos of My New Sprague Tel-Ohmike TO-6A
DSC1.Difference : Update on the DSD Dedicated No-DAC (DAC)!
I have been slowly working on this project behind the scenes, without posting about it much (aside from on ComputerAudiophile.com). This is a “discrete” delta-sigma digital to-analog converter (DAC) developed … Continue Reading DSC1.Difference : Update on the DSD Dedicated No-DAC (DAC)!
Hallman Labs Capacitor Analyzer : Sprague Tel-Ohmike TO-6A
After weeks/months of trying to get my Cornell Dubilier BF-50 cap analyzer to show what is expected for a good cap vs. a known bad cap, I reached out to … Continue Reading Hallman Labs Capacitor Analyzer : Sprague Tel-Ohmike TO-6A
The Corsair 740 Air: Hallman Labs New Primary Desktop (Case) (Updated 4/14/18 w/ New Pictures, 99% completed)
Update 3: The case is basically finished now, just waiting on a few more minor parts to show up! Here is the first photo from my real camera (Samsung NX3000). … Continue Reading The Corsair 740 Air: Hallman Labs New Primary Desktop (Case) (Updated 4/14/18 w/ New Pictures, 99% completed)
Quick Access to All Hallman Labs Related Files | Documents/Download Page Launched
Wanted to let everyone know another section has been added to the website, a pretty basic addition, but worth noting so readers don’t overlook it, should it prove useful. So … Continue Reading Quick Access to All Hallman Labs Related Files | Documents/Download Page Launched
“Help”: My Cornell Dubilier BF-50 Is Testing Open Circuit as Good | Note : Treble Bleeds Halted
I was using my Cornell Dubilier BF-50 (vintage) capacitor analyzer with all of the right things showing on the “Magic Eye” 6E5 (Philips JAN (Mil-Spec)) electron tube’s eye for leakage, … Continue Reading “Help”: My Cornell Dubilier BF-50 Is Testing Open Circuit as Good | Note : Treble Bleeds Halted
Apologies to the Neighbors (Burson Audio’s DAC Testing Reached 100.00dB max!!)
Well I currently have about 8 pages written of notes, thoughts on head to head Burson Play vs my custom ES9038Pro DAC. In the end it ended up … Continue Reading Apologies to the Neighbors (Burson Audio’s DAC Testing Reached 100.00dB max!!)
Ran Down (1st) ES9038PRO DAC main cause of the NLOCK | Stuck on Screen Issue w/ No Output! (~ 4 months of troubleshooting show me, it was not the dedicated TCXO clock module): Persistence Pays, this might work again!
This single loose solder ball (could have fallen inside the enclosure at any point) might explain all the problems I had with getting the DAC to lock on … Continue Reading Ran Down (1st) ES9038PRO DAC main cause of the NLOCK | Stuck on Screen Issue w/ No Output! (~ 4 months of troubleshooting show me, it was not the dedicated TCXO clock module): Persistence Pays, this might work again!
**Streaming Again Today 3/28, Later On** Far Cry 5 + the Burson Play DAC Review/Comparison to my ES9038Pro (PC HiFi Gaming Section)
Update: stream is up! https://hallmanlabs.com/hallman-labs-live-game-stream/ Thanks to those who came to watch the stream today, Far Cry 5 truly is breaking new ground for the demands on PC … Continue Reading **Streaming Again Today 3/28, Later On** Far Cry 5 + the Burson Play DAC Review/Comparison to my ES9038Pro (PC HiFi Gaming Section)
Burson Play DAC Arrives
After much delay, I was able to go and pick up the Burson Play DAC today. Included was an entire set of both the V6-OPA-D Vivid + V6-OPA-S Vivid and … Continue Reading Burson Play DAC Arrives
Hallman Labs 1st Product for Sale (Soon): Fixed Resistance Treble Bleed Kits V1.0 & V2.0 (Thoughts on V3.0 & V4.0)
Hallman Labs first official products for sale will be treble bleed circuits for guitars! When you dial down the volume on your guitar (with any pickups) the high frequency is … Continue Reading Hallman Labs 1st Product for Sale (Soon): Fixed Resistance Treble Bleed Kits V1.0 & V2.0 (Thoughts on V3.0 & V4.0)
Discrete Op-amp Review #2 Page has Launched – Part 1
You can find it in the header menu, or just click here: https://hallmanlabs.com/discrete-op-amp-review-pt-1-of-3-detailed-info-pics-of-hw-tips-to-avoid-trouble-more/ Be sure to read the note to the reader if you are going to read … Continue Reading Discrete Op-amp Review #2 Page has Launched – Part 1
Amanero: Upgrading Sanyo Oscon to Vishay BC capacitors | 1x SS3602 Sparkos Goes To Sparks, Literally
First off, I wanted to let everyone know that I plan to publish part 1 tomorrow night/Sunday morning instead of tonight. This was mainly because of the amount of time … Continue Reading Amanero: Upgrading Sanyo Oscon to Vishay BC capacitors | 1x SS3602 Sparkos Goes To Sparks, Literally
Uncapping Seymour Duncan Pickups – Schecter Tempest Custom
Hallman Labs is branching out and this is the first of our guitar related articles! After reading the “25 Essential Les Paul Mods” I learned that the shiny metal covers … Continue Reading Uncapping Seymour Duncan Pickups – Schecter Tempest Custom
We Have Finally Cracked the Nut! Native DSD Decoding over I2S Up and Running! (A Preview In Photos included)
I have to say that solving the mystery of this hardware arrangement was both hilarious and extremely frustrating. Trying to catch one of 6 pins being rearranged is easy to … Continue Reading We Have Finally Cracked the Nut! Native DSD Decoding over I2S Up and Running! (A Preview In Photos included)
The ES9038Pro DAC Returns! Expect Part 1 of Discrete Op-Amp Review by 3/10/18 (Saturday night)
Here is a sneak peak at my reference DAC for all of the upcoming op-amp reviews. The Asian holiday really put a delay in this, but as always the hardware … Continue Reading The ES9038Pro DAC Returns! Expect Part 1 of Discrete Op-Amp Review by 3/10/18 (Saturday night)
Time Lapsed GM328 Transistor/ESR Tester + More Build Video
Below is the 3rd official video from Hallman Labs. This is a time lapsed build log video for the common GM328 Transistor/ESR Testers. This one uses a more compact … Continue Reading Time Lapsed GM328 Transistor/ESR Tester + More Build Video
Replacement ES9038Pro DAC Now In Route!
I had to wait for the Asian holiday to end (Feb 22nd) for the seller to ship out a replacement ES9038Pro completed DAC, in the enclosure with dual toroidal transformers. … Continue Reading Replacement ES9038Pro DAC Now In Route!
Precision Resistors Lot : Over 12,000 Dale & Vishay RN55C Military Spec Resistors! An EBay Treasure Chest
As I mentioned in the previous article, I will use EBay as a vintage or high end/HiFi electronic components supplier when I see a deal. I have bought many … Continue Reading Precision Resistors Lot : Over 12,000 Dale & Vishay RN55C Military Spec Resistors! An EBay Treasure Chest
Ultra Rare ELNA Vintage Capacitor
EBay is by far one of the largest online selections of vintage electronic components in the world. I shop here when I see a deal worth buying, usually in bulk. … Continue Reading Ultra Rare ELNA Vintage Capacitor
Houston, We Have Lost Contact: ES9038P DAC Troubleshooting
Below is the original thread post I made over on ComputerAudiophile.com forums. I am posting it here in the chance someone reading knows what is going on and how to … Continue Reading Houston, We Have Lost Contact: ES9038P DAC Troubleshooting
Battalion 1944 (Early Access): Stream Going Up Between 7PM-10PM If Interested
Making Custom I2S Cables
I am working on uploading a video for this common question I see in chat rooms on IRC and on forums in DIY. The big things to remember when … Continue Reading Making Custom I2S Cables
Revived The Amanero! + Close Up of Uncapped Crystek CCHD-575 Oscillator!
I didn’t record this soldering job because I was not expecting this to go well. I had one of my oscillator sockets (only socket without an oscillator) get destroyed between … Continue Reading Revived The Amanero! + Close Up of Uncapped Crystek CCHD-575 Oscillator!
Kimber “Kables” Testing At Hallman Labs: The Skin Effect (Signal Freq vs. Conductor Gauge) & Cryo “HiFi Fuses”! (Update 1/25/18)
Update 1/25: I realized after reading my own article and the quotes from Kimber cables that I had wired up my setup incorrectly. Kimber has one conductor carrying the … Continue Reading Kimber “Kables” Testing At Hallman Labs: The Skin Effect (Signal Freq vs. Conductor Gauge) & Cryo “HiFi Fuses”! (Update 1/25/18)
DAC Accessory: XLR In -> RCA Out (Ckt Based on D. Self Design) Updated 1/22
Update 1/21/18: I wanted to let everyone know how impressed I have been with this unit by just using the stock 5532 op-amps with this Douglas Self based circuit design. … Continue Reading DAC Accessory: XLR In -> RCA Out (Ckt Based on D. Self Design) Updated 1/22
Video of DIY Plasma Speaker
Hallman Labs 1st Milestone: 1000 Views in 1 Month + Visitors are up nearly 2x!!
So this is really exciting! In the last year we have seen traffic from 69 countries with increasing views per visitor too! I wondered if I could reach this mark … Continue Reading Hallman Labs 1st Milestone: 1000 Views in 1 Month + Visitors are up nearly 2x!!
Discrete Op-Amp Review, Prelude: Photos of Review Hardware (Burson V6-OPA-D “Vivid” Unskirted)
In the photo below we have 4x Burson Audio V5-OPA-D, 4x Burson Audio V5-OPA-S, 3x V6-OPA-D “Vivid” along with two Orange Amplification discrete (Dual-DIP). Two of the V6-OPA-D casings lifted … Continue Reading Discrete Op-Amp Review, Prelude: Photos of Review Hardware (Burson V6-OPA-D “Vivid” Unskirted)
Two New Sections Added to Hallman Labs!
I wanted to let everyone know just in case you don’t notice the new sections popping up on the website. Slowly I am branching out to other areas besides … Continue Reading Two New Sections Added to Hallman Labs!
DAC Accessories Showdown! Part 1
A quick look at Hallman Labs collection of DAC accessories or add-ons. Part 1
Up and Running Optical In: (w/ Burson Cable+ Technology !) Creative ZXr Optical Out to ES9038 DAC
Quick shot of the ES9038P DAC up and running using optical output from the Creative ZXr to the ES9038 Optical Input.
Pictures of ES9038Pro DAC w/ Burson Audio V5-OPA and Orange Amplification’s discrete design!
Literally just posting some new pictures because I had a few people asking to see what this looks like with the high end discrete op-amps, so here you are! Thanks … Continue Reading Pictures of ES9038Pro DAC w/ Burson Audio V5-OPA and Orange Amplification’s discrete design!
Sneak Preview of ES9038Pro + Amanero Powered DSD Review: Burson Audio vs. Orange Amplification (Op-amps)
Just a few pictures of the 95% finished ES9038Pro + Amanero DAC build and a few words on why it took so long!
Cornell Dubilier BF-50 Capacitor Analyzer
In order to verify the vintage capacitor collection I slowly attained all perform to spec, I started to look for capacitor analyzers. The most well known is the Sprague TEL-OHMIKE … Continue Reading Cornell Dubilier BF-50 Capacitor Analyzer
Procedure For Mounting Transformers (One of Many Ways) for ES9038Pro DAC + Amanero
I have the ES9038Pro DAC playing both DSD/DSF and the more well known, high res capable codec, FLAC. Except on this DAC it goes up to 32 bits and 384 … Continue Reading Procedure For Mounting Transformers (One of Many Ways) for ES9038Pro DAC + Amanero
IT’S ALIVE!!!
Finally have the DAC OLED screen coming on and the Amanero is recognized in Windows!
Sansui AU-517 Works!! (Schematics & More Inside)
Thanks to Hifiengine.com I was able to get my hands on the official service manuals and the owners manuals + every schematic!! HiFiEngine is free to register and after that … Continue Reading Sansui AU-517 Works!! (Schematics & More Inside)
Hello there Europe & Asia!!
Below is a traffic insight map from one day of views on my site (Nov 25th, 2017). At first I was confused, but then excited about the fact people across … Continue Reading Hello there Europe & Asia!!
More Sansui AU-517 Internal Shots
For being 39 years old, this amp is nearly spotless inside. I’d venture to say it may have been opened once before I inspected it myself. Keep in mind that … Continue Reading More Sansui AU-517 Internal Shots
First Amp Donation! Sansui AU-517
To my surprise someone donated a Sansui AU-517 to me for free, thanks again for that! Here we have a stereo amplifier that weighs in at 40lbs! This behemoth is … Continue Reading First Amp Donation! Sansui AU-517
One More Speed Bump.. (ES9028Pro vs. ES9038Pro Power Requirements)
Once again the values needed for the power to the DAC have changed, waiting yet again on the correct transformer.
