Differences between voltage DAC and current DACs.

oon_the_kid · 13th June 2011, 09:57 AM

Hi,

I am trying to figure out what is the difference in terms of "quality" between current and voltage delta sigma converters. Forexample. AD 1853 is a current out DAC, AD1852 is a voltage out DAC. Is AD 1852 just a 1853 DAC with a built in op amp for I/V conversion, or are they using a different scheme to produce a voltage output.

Thanks in advance.

Oon

abraxalito · 13th June 2011, 10:18 AM

When you say 'quality' do you mean 'sound quality' ? If so its generally accepted that external opamps (when correctly implemented) have the edge in terms of sound quality. That may well be down to the difficulty of implementing highly linear analog circuitry on what's essentially a digital manufacturing process. Yes the AD1852 is a voltage out version of the '53.

oon_the_kid · 13th June 2011, 10:29 AM

Yup, definitely sound quality. So essentially the 1852 is basically a 1853 with internal op-amps? No special I/V converters?

Oon

abraxalito · 13th June 2011, 10:47 AM

Yep, I believe so.

Bill Fuss · 13th June 2011, 11:42 AM

For sake of argument, an internal opamp may be much better than using an off the shelf opamp if it was designed expressly for that particular use. Read the PassDIY article about opamps, it is enlightening.

Best, Bill

qusp · 13th June 2011, 04:01 PM

but....it isnt

i'll take a current out dac any time. the 9018/9012 sound very good in Vout mode also, but the same chip using an external iv convertor sound better and measures better every time if done properly. opc's version of the D1 for sabre is superb

EternaLightWith · 7th August 2012, 05:18 PM

Qusp, what thread is OPC D1 sabre dac? I can't find it?

13th June 2011, 09:57 AM	#1
oon_the_kid diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Differences between voltage DAC and current DACs. Hi, I am trying to figure out what is the difference in terms of "quality" between current and voltage delta sigma converters. Forexample. AD 1853 is a current out DAC, AD1852 is a voltage out DAC. Is AD 1852 just a 1853 DAC with a built in op amp for I/V conversion, or are they using a different scheme to produce a voltage output. Thanks in advance. Oon

13th June 2011, 10:18 AM	#2
abraxalito diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hangzhou - Marco Polo's 'most beautiful city'. 700yrs is a long time though... Blog Entries: 62	When you say 'quality' do you mean 'sound quality' ? If so its generally accepted that external opamps (when correctly implemented) have the edge in terms of sound quality. That may well be down to the difficulty of implementing highly linear analog circuitry on what's essentially a digital manufacturing process. Yes the AD1852 is a voltage out version of the '53. __________________ When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. C.A.E. Goodhart

13th June 2011, 10:47 AM	#4
abraxalito diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hangzhou - Marco Polo's 'most beautiful city'. 700yrs is a long time though... Blog Entries: 62	Yep, I believe so. __________________ When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. C.A.E. Goodhart

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13th June 2011, 10:29 AM	#3
oon_the_kid diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Yup, definitely sound quality. So essentially the 1852 is basically a 1853 with internal op-amps? No special I/V converters? Oon

13th June 2011, 11:42 AM	#5
Bill Fuss RIP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Florida	For sake of argument, an internal opamp may be much better than using an off the shelf opamp if it was designed expressly for that particular use. Read the PassDIY article about opamps, it is enlightening. Best, Bill

13th June 2011, 04:01 PM	#6
qusp is choosing a less facetious title... diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia	but....it isnt i'll take a current out dac any time. the 9018/9012 sound very good in Vout mode also, but the same chip using an external iv convertor sound better and measures better every time if done properly. opc's version of the D1 for sabre is superb

7th August 2012, 05:18 PM	#7
EternaLightWith diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2002	Qusp, what thread is OPC D1 sabre dac? I can't find it?

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