PCM1738 or AD1853?

bocka · 10th July 2003, 04:05 PM

Does anyone has checked the sound quality of the TI PCM1738 vs. Analog Devices AD1853? I'm looking for a 24/192 DAC with software control and a current output (i.e. no internal I/V stage). What about NPC SM5865C?

andrei · 10th July 2003, 09:15 PM

I am designing a DAC around SM5847/SM5865 chipset - see this thread. The boards will go into production very soon. I have high hopes for this chip...

bocka · 11th July 2003, 07:42 AM

Hi Andrei,

thankX a lot of the link, nice DAC. I hope finishing my DAC in some days. Currently I've implemented TIs PCM 1738 but some other DACs seems also very interesting. I'm not sure which DACs sound better in some postings I read that the new TI DACs sound very bad, but I had not found any similar to the ADs. I'd prefer the AD 1853 and TI PCM 1738 DACs over the PCM 1792 and AD 1955 because of their lower output currents witch are easier to drive from the I/V stage.

My I/V stage is a discrete, single I/V-filter-buffer stage, with second order low pass filter, which has only 4 components in the signal path, very close to that what is discussed with passve I/V "conversion" with triode output stage, but the I/V-filter-buffer stage in my DAC is active. I think, KWAK has a similar Idee too.

I'll post the schematic when it's finished, but currently I'm looking for a very good DAC. I know the PCM1704, on the other side the bitstream converter are not bad in itself. Unfortuanately Norbert Bayer from http://www.diyaudio.de has not finished his modular DAC, this could be very helpful.

LC Audio · 11th July 2003, 09:38 AM

The AD1853 is very soft and warm in its sound structure. It is almost like listening to an LP, so it lacks the last bit of sharp teeth if you are checking out the newest Metallica. However for acoustic stuff and piano singles it is simply the best DAC chip around.
I would also suggest taking a look at Cirrus Logic or AKM, both these are lightyears ahead of NPC with regards to clarityty, resolution and ambience.

bocka · 11th July 2003, 01:09 PM

That's what I'm looking for. More a warm, smooth and analog sound than that what I get from digital audio. I do not think that typical for digital sound.

On the other side I like Metallica

I hera it on a Linn, not bad for the moment...

Did anyone compared the sound of the TI converters vs. the Analog ones? What are the differences in sound quality? I think I need a good starting point when optimising my DAC. Replacing the converter later will result in much more difficulties than in this early stage. Unfortunately the AD 1853 has no slow roll of with only a few taps in the digital filter as the PCM 1738 has.

machinow · 14th July 2003, 10:13 AM

I prefer AD mostly because they are easyer to get here. And more, TI are more consumer-oriented /low-cost oriented/ than AD. From analog view, AD make better OPAMPS /and more expensive, too

)/ They are some higher-end industry - my favourites are AD8620/10, AD811, AD797 etc. From TI, the favoutrite is OPA2134, much cheaper.
Dont bother about more output current - I do not see the problem here. Just more headroom

)
Else AD1853 and AD1955 are equivalent, except the extra features of the 1955 and the little more headroom / DR
I'll use the 1955 soon, I have some of them and do not want them just to be in my stock

Regards

Blitz · 24th January 2004, 09:44 AM

Hi, Bocka, with what did you end up with`? How is the sound compared to other DACs ?

10th July 2003, 04:05 PM	#1
bocka diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hannover	PCM1738 or AD1853? Does anyone has checked the sound quality of the TI PCM1738 vs. Analog Devices AD1853? I'm looking for a 24/192 DAC with software control and a current output (i.e. no internal I/V stage). What about NPC SM5865C?

14th July 2003, 10:13 AM	#6
machinow diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Bulgaria, Sofia	AD vs TI I prefer AD mostly because they are easyer to get here. And more, TI are more consumer-oriented /low-cost oriented/ than AD. From analog view, AD make better OPAMPS /and more expensive, too )/ They are some higher-end industry - my favourites are AD8620/10, AD811, AD797 etc. From TI, the favoutrite is OPA2134, much cheaper. Dont bother about more output current - I do not see the problem here. Just more headroom ) Else AD1853 and AD1955 are equivalent, except the extra features of the 1955 and the little more headroom / DR I'll use the 1955 soon, I have some of them and do not want them just to be in my stock Regards

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10th July 2003, 09:15 PM	#2
andrei diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada	I am designing a DAC around SM5847/SM5865 chipset - see this thread. The boards will go into production very soon. I have high hopes for this chip...

11th July 2003, 07:42 AM	#3
bocka diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hannover	Hi Andrei, thankX a lot of the link, nice DAC. I hope finishing my DAC in some days. Currently I've implemented TIs PCM 1738 but some other DACs seems also very interesting. I'm not sure which DACs sound better in some postings I read that the new TI DACs sound very bad, but I had not found any similar to the ADs. I'd prefer the AD 1853 and TI PCM 1738 DACs over the PCM 1792 and AD 1955 because of their lower output currents witch are easier to drive from the I/V stage. My I/V stage is a discrete, single I/V-filter-buffer stage, with second order low pass filter, which has only 4 components in the signal path, very close to that what is discussed with passve I/V "conversion" with triode output stage, but the I/V-filter-buffer stage in my DAC is active. I think, KWAK has a similar Idee too. I'll post the schematic when it's finished, but currently I'm looking for a very good DAC. I know the PCM1704, on the other side the bitstream converter are not bad in itself. Unfortuanately Norbert Bayer from http://www.diyaudio.de has not finished his modular DAC, this could be very helpful.

11th July 2003, 09:38 AM	#4
LC Audio Account Disabled Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Holstebro	The AD1853 is very soft and warm in its sound structure. It is almost like listening to an LP, so it lacks the last bit of sharp teeth if you are checking out the newest Metallica. However for acoustic stuff and piano singles it is simply the best DAC chip around. I would also suggest taking a look at Cirrus Logic or AKM, both these are lightyears ahead of NPC with regards to clarityty, resolution and ambience.

11th July 2003, 01:09 PM	#5
bocka diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hannover	That's what I'm looking for. More a warm, smooth and analog sound than that what I get from digital audio. I do not think that typical for digital sound. On the other side I like Metallica I hera it on a Linn, not bad for the moment... Did anyone compared the sound of the TI converters vs. the Analog ones? What are the differences in sound quality? I think I need a good starting point when optimising my DAC. Replacing the converter later will result in much more difficulties than in this early stage. Unfortunately the AD 1853 has no slow roll of with only a few taps in the digital filter as the PCM 1738 has.

24th January 2004, 09:44 AM	#7
Blitz diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cologne, Germany	Hi, Bocka, with what did you end up with`? How is the sound compared to other DACs ?

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