New to world of DACs, etc...need resources to learn the basics

[jmillerdoc]

This thread sure has moved off the topic.....

[lowpoke]

Originally Posted by jmillerdoc

This thread sure has moved off the topic.....

I'll say.

I jumped on this because like you, I wanted to lean more about the topic.
Now my head just hurts

[Ken Newton]

Sorry guys.

A DAC is among the easiest components to design without one having formal electronics education, due to readily available off-the-shelf application specific chips. Yet, is also among the hardest components to innovate upon for that same reason. The expertise required to attempt an innovative diy DAC design is not trivial, requiring long and multidisciplinary study. You can easily find many PhD level papers on any single aspect of digital audio playback theory and technology, and there are many aspects. Those are some of the reasons why many of us find DAC design so interesting.

However, given the research commitment which would be required to produce something innovative, I strongly recommend that you buy some pre-designed and proven DAC kit if you wish to dabble in 'rolling' your own. I won't advocate for any particular kit, but I will suggest that you give one of the many non-oversampling (digital filter-less) kit a try.