PCM1704 Preferences

Ardee · 6th July 2010, 06:19 PM

I am wondering if anyone has opinions on the best way to use a PCM1704. All else being equal, does it sound better with 20 or 24 bit input or with a particular sample rate? I do know that higher sample rate or more bits does not always make for better sound if it means the hardware is struggling.

regal · 22nd July 2010, 05:20 AM

This is the best chip made today yet everyone's either DIYing ancient NOS or S_D junk DAC's, its amazing to me how this chip is overlooked by the DIY community.

I think its best with a 20 bit input so I use the PMD100, some like the DF1704 in slow rolloff mode 24/96. But to me the dithering algorithm in the PMD100 is the best of digital filter chip technology (short of the new DSP's with proprietary programming.)

Ardee · 22nd July 2010, 08:13 AM

Thanks for that, regal. Like most people, I have only used 24 bit mode, so it is interesting to find someone who has tried 20 bit and prefers it that way.

I too am using the PCM1704 with a PMD100 and have tried various amounts of dither. The higher levels of HF weighted dither sound uncomfortable in my system, but my ears are not good enough to hear the difference between minimum dither of either type and no dither, so I leave it at the default setting. I have been told that the PCM1704 type of DAC does not really benefit from dither, anyway.

6th July 2010, 06:19 PM	#1
Ardee diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	PCM1704 Preferences I am wondering if anyone has opinions on the best way to use a PCM1704. All else being equal, does it sound better with 20 or 24 bit input or with a particular sample rate? I do know that higher sample rate or more bits does not always make for better sound if it means the hardware is struggling.

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22nd July 2010, 05:20 AM	#2
regal diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: MD	This is the best chip made today yet everyone's either DIYing ancient NOS or S_D junk DAC's, its amazing to me how this chip is overlooked by the DIY community. I think its best with a 20 bit input so I use the PMD100, some like the DF1704 in slow rolloff mode 24/96. But to me the dithering algorithm in the PMD100 is the best of digital filter chip technology (short of the new DSP's with proprietary programming.)

22nd July 2010, 08:13 AM	#3
Ardee diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Thanks for that, regal. Like most people, I have only used 24 bit mode, so it is interesting to find someone who has tried 20 bit and prefers it that way. I too am using the PCM1704 with a PMD100 and have tried various amounts of dither. The higher levels of HF weighted dither sound uncomfortable in my system, but my ears are not good enough to hear the difference between minimum dither of either type and no dither, so I leave it at the default setting. I have been told that the PCM1704 type of DAC does not really benefit from dither, anyway.