Power R-2R ladder DAC?

cuallito · 3rd May 2011, 04:52 AM

Hi, I was wondering if making a power (that is, can drive a speaker) R-2R ladder DAC is feasible, let's say 16-bit?

alexcp · 3rd May 2011, 12:19 PM

R-2R ladders are current output DACs. They have high output impedance and should be loaded with a very low impedance load, such as virtual ground; the idea is that the voltage drop on the load should be small compared to the reference voltage of the DAC. A normal loudspeaker does not qualify as a low voltage drop load, so you would need an amplifier in between.

Also, you may view a Class D amplifier with digital control (e.g. TI's PurePath) as a power DAC, but those have their own issues.

darkfenriz · 3rd May 2011, 02:33 PM

'power' and 'R' are opposities

3rd May 2011, 04:52 AM	#1
cuallito diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Milky Way	Power R-2R ladder DAC? Hi, I was wondering if making a power (that is, can drive a speaker) R-2R ladder DAC is feasible, let's say 16-bit?

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3rd May 2011, 12:19 PM	#2
alexcp diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Blog Entries: 35	R-2R ladders are current output DACs. They have high output impedance and should be loaded with a very low impedance load, such as virtual ground; the idea is that the voltage drop on the load should be small compared to the reference voltage of the DAC. A normal loudspeaker does not qualify as a low voltage drop load, so you would need an amplifier in between. Also, you may view a Class D amplifier with digital control (e.g. TI's PurePath) as a power DAC, but those have their own issues.

3rd May 2011, 02:33 PM	#3
darkfenriz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warsaw	'power' and 'R' are opposities