AK4396 - latest DAC

rmihai · 18th April 2005, 05:32 PM

Hi,

I am looking for someone interested to build an external DAC for me based on AK4396. I will finance the project.

http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...96/ak4396.html

PM me.

Thank you

paba · 18th April 2005, 10:22 PM

Before you spend to much time/money on a custom design, I would suggest you buy the evaluation board that is described here:
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...d4396-a0-1.pdf

Usually a 2 or 3 hundred dollars maybe less.
Then decide if you can do better than AKM.

In fact I would buy the eval board, then improve it with better parts and clean power supply before building one from scratch.

cheers
paba

rfbrw · 19th April 2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paba
Before you spend to much time/money on a custom design, I would suggest you buy the evaluation board that is described here:
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...d4396-a0-1.pdf

Usually a 2 or 3 hundred dollars maybe less.
Then decide if you can do better than AKM.

In fact I would buy the eval board, then improve it with better parts and clean power supply before building one from scratch.

cheers
paba

For $2-$300, I would be amazed if you could not do a better job than the ev brd.

paba · 19th April 2005, 04:00 PM

Hey I'm sure it is possible,

Granted there is some sales margin on the price of the eval board, but if you add distinct power supplies with say Jung super regulators on each PS, and individual transformers for each... just this power supply improvement will set you back some. Then there is a good pcb layout, few people can do that right the first time. Then if you work on that output section with separate power and better op amps, or maybe even tubes = more $$.

I'll stop here because I haven't done a PCB design and layout in about 10 years, so I could soon slip an be making statements that I can't back up with proof.

cheers
Paba

leadbelly · 19th April 2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paba
I'll stop here because I haven't done a PCB design and layout in about 10 years, so I could soon slip an be making statements that I can't back up with proof.

Don't backpedal, your tip was a great idea. Keep 'em coming!

rfbrw · 19th April 2005, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paba
Hey I'm sure it is possible,

Granted there is some sales margin on the price of the eval board, but if you add distinct power supplies with say Jung super regulators on each PS, and individual transformers for each... just this power supply improvement will set you back some. Then there is a good pcb layout, few people can do that right the first time. Then if you work on that output section with separate power and better op amps, or maybe even tubes = more $$.

I'll stop here because I haven't done a PCB design and layout in about 10 years, so I could soon slip an be making statements that I can't back up with proof.

cheers
Paba

It takes no great skill to pour money into something, just ask Nortel. A well thought out minimalist design is well within range but if you do want to throw 1KVA Avel-Lindbergs at each rail and liberally sprinkle the design with cerdip milspec opamps then, of course, $2-$300 might well cramp your style.

harryeng · 22nd April 2005, 10:04 PM

Another option:

Buy a second hand M-audio Superdac, and start from there.

That is what I have done. I am now rebuilding from that.

Greetings,
Harry

hifimaker · 8th February 2007, 12:24 AM

Is the AK4396 DAC a current output design?

Thanks!

hifimaker · 8th February 2007, 01:53 AM

Found the data sheet, looks like voltage out delta sigma design.

-David

fredlock · 8th October 2008, 03:44 PM

This will be an interesting thread. I heard that this chip is one of the best sounding DAC.

http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...d4396-a0-1.pdf

I went to that site but cannot find that eval board. Maybe I'm missing something.

18th April 2005, 05:32 PM	#1
rmihai diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto	AK4396 - latest DAC Hi, I am looking for someone interested to build an external DAC for me based on AK4396. I will finance the project. http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...96/ak4396.html PM me. Thank you

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18th April 2005, 10:22 PM	#2
paba diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Montreal	Before you spend to much time/money on a custom design, I would suggest you buy the evaluation board that is described here: http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...d4396-a0-1.pdf Usually a 2 or 3 hundred dollars maybe less. Then decide if you can do better than AKM. In fact I would buy the eval board, then improve it with better parts and clean power supply before building one from scratch. cheers paba

19th April 2005, 04:00 PM	#4
paba diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Montreal	Hey I'm sure it is possible, Granted there is some sales margin on the price of the eval board, but if you add distinct power supplies with say Jung super regulators on each PS, and individual transformers for each... just this power supply improvement will set you back some. Then there is a good pcb layout, few people can do that right the first time. Then if you work on that output section with separate power and better op amps, or maybe even tubes = more $$. I'll stop here because I haven't done a PCB design and layout in about 10 years, so I could soon slip an be making statements that I can't back up with proof. cheers Paba

22nd April 2005, 10:04 PM	#7
harryeng diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Roosendaal	Another option: Buy a second hand M-audio Superdac, and start from there. That is what I have done. I am now rebuilding from that. Greetings, Harry

8th February 2007, 12:24 AM	#8
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	Is the AK4396 DAC a current output design? Thanks!

8th February 2007, 01:53 AM	#9
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	Found the data sheet, looks like voltage out delta sigma design. -David

8th October 2008, 03:44 PM	#10
fredlock diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	This will be an interesting thread. I heard that this chip is one of the best sounding DAC. http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...d4396-a0-1.pdf I went to that site but cannot find that eval board. Maybe I'm missing something.

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