CS43122 vs. AK4395 killer DAC's

[peranders]

Carlos, notice that this is a thread from 2002 Things have happened since them.

Those DAC's you're mentioning, how about CMOS inside?

 

[carlosfm]

Carlos, notice that this is a thread from 2002

Things have happened since them.

What dac chip did you choose?

 

[Spartacus]

Have that AK4395 DAC on my 0404 (heavy modified) and I must say that it sound far better than my nonOS TDA1541

Weissi, can you give details of the mods to your 0404? I've got the same card and am interested in upgrading it.

 

[weissi]

Hello Spartacus,
I´ll post details and some photos when I´m back in work - currently I´m on vacation

 

[Spartacus]

Hi Weissi,

thanks, I'l l look forward to that.

I'm going to do the usual op-amp and capacitor mods, and try to figure out how to get a nice clean clock to the ak4395.

 

[Spartacus]

Weissi,

any news on your 0404 mods?

 

[weissi]

damn... forgotten.. I´ll post some pics today, I´ll promise!

 

[weissi]

restrictions are bad ;-)

 

[peranders]

Carlos, notice that this is a thread from 2002 Things have happened since them.

I notice though that performance is not significanlty better since then. 120 dB dynamics is around the limit and also the needs. How many want more than 120 dB in normal music reproduction?

I'll notice also that noone here has achieved any "Spitzenklasse" DAC. Maybe this have to do with need also. A CD player and it's analog output is enough.

Carlos, my DAC project is sleeping... and I haven't even desided for any DAC candidate.

BTW: Which DAC's are in top 5 these days?

 

[carlosfm]

BTW: Which DAC's are in top 5 these days?

Is that a disco rating?

You surely want a current output dac, so that you have complete control over I/V and filtering, anything less than this doesn't cut the mustard for me.
So, these days we are talking AD1955, PCM179x and very few others.

 

[Spartacus]

Weissi,

you mentioned that seperate supplies are important. Could you expand - seperate for what and what? And is this what makes the biggest difference?

Also I noticed the shielding on the DSP chips. Did that make a substantial difference?

Thanks.

 

[weissi]

I do not think that shielding is noticeable... only for the fun ;-)

I´ve added dedicated regulators for the oscillator (you can not actually see it on the pictures.. I simply stacked a second 3V3 reg onto the other, its under the OSCON on the bottom of the pic.

The ICS525 is a frequency multiplier IC, so it also got a seperate regulator (covered with silicone glue)...

Those two regulators do a good job but I´m sure PerAnders or someone else wouldn´t go this easy way ;-), there are much better regulator designs for high frequency applications than those xx1117 types..