Differences between voltage DAC and current DACs.

[oon_the_kid]

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]

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]

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

Oon

[abraxalito]

Yep, I believe so.

[Bill Fuss]

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]

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