Finding the Perfect TDA1541A DAC Chip: Tips and Insights

Comments · 38

• EL

  @Elder-Pinto · 4 months ago

  i still use my philips 380 with the 1541a in it !!

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• ST

  @stephenharding428 · 10 months ago

  Thanks for review. Your philosophy is very much in line with SW1X Audio Design. Cheers

• KO

  @kowalskijan7876 · 7 months ago

  Luckily, I still have at least 10 TDA1541A chips—all pulled from CD player circuit boards. They’re in really good condition.

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• LO

  @loicminois8072 · 1 year ago

  good to know, thanks for details . Very Curious to test your DAC TD1 .

• FO

  @foohongliak3419 · 4 months ago

  Lovers of TDA 1541 S   are  getting fewer by the year. . i have philip cdp mod 6dj8 tubes ,  very nice sounding.3

• 66

  @66hats · 9 days ago

  I like the TDA1543 better, but there is also variation in them, even the same batch or production year

• SH

  @shogo3300 · 1 year ago (edited)

  @Gabster - Excellent video on educating us on the differences between the various TDA1541a chips. Its quite an interesting topic as you&apos;ve mentioned, there are some many variations and sound differences between the Years (87-96), Batches, Plants (Holland vs Taiwan), Grades (Relaxed, Standard, S1 &amp; S2s), and the crown variants. &nbsp;I have 4 chips (legit ones), R1 Y87, S1 Y88, standard 88s. &nbsp; They all sound different to each other. &nbsp;The R1 is fuller sounding, non-offensive, tubby bass, which you can just listen to in the background for hours. The 2 standard 88s are similar sounding but are on the opposite spectrum of the R1. &nbsp;Dynamic, detailed, punchy basslines, good soundstage - width, height, depth, but what differentiates between them both is that one has a smoother midrange, and the other has a more upfront, clearer midrange. &nbsp;Both are reasonably holographic but the one with the clearer mids is slightly better in this respect. &nbsp;The S1 is my goto chip, does all the above, plus more. &nbsp;The mids are a bit more palpable, but the holographic presentation is quite beguiling. &nbsp;Has a bit of that wrap around sound that puts you more into the scene effect. &nbsp; As you&apos;ve said, its so hard to get decent chips, let alone one&apos;s that are superstars. &nbsp;<br><br>I have listened to a few R2R designs like the Gustard R26, Denafrips Ares 2 and Venus 2, and somehow, the old TDA1541a does music just right over the newer, more advanced R2R designs. &nbsp;<br><br>Thanks again for taking the time to do this, wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2025. &nbsp;Looking forward to more exciting content from you next year.

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• MA

  @MacsMachines · 1 year ago

  Very cool 😎 I bought a Cambridge audio dacmagic 2 like I had back in the day (that was great at the time) but it sounded not as good fed from optical out of a cheap 24bit streaming dac as the same dac audio out, perhaps it has some electrical issues (it’s old kit now) &nbsp;or the optical out was the issue? Must try it with a cd and a proper digital 75ohm cable input 👍

• GL

  @GlobianGlobianovic · 1 year ago

  Is there anyone who can describe the sonic difference between TDA-1541A and PCM58/PCM63?

• HE

  @HeliBenj · 1 year ago

  What about non A chips? Are they not good? I went through the video but did not hear anything

• LO

  @lovemadeinjapan · 1 year ago

  I&apos;ve a bucket of HSH8736 1 Y&apos;s, was thinking so hook them up to a Teensy for creating mini synths. Is that an ok chip, is it blasphemia to use these in school arduino projects?

• EL

  @elgringoec · 1 year ago

  You know the jig&apos;s up when categorizing for sound is a real thing. &nbsp;<br>The superior DACs made these days have tight enough manufacturing tolerance that any one will be indistinguishable from another.

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