How many ppl are intrested in HiEnd DAC kit ?

[foo]

some of my friends are willing to make a PCM1794 kit .
this is gonna be a HiEnd kit with I2C control,src4193 asrc , Buffered I/O , smd multilayer PCB (4-6),and MONO config of PCM1794 , maybe even DSP digital crossover .
Don't worry about technical details, they are top RDs in computer industry.

how much $$ would u like to invest in such kit ?

And what kind of form do u like to buy?
1. PCB with Chips
2. PCB only
3. assembled PCB
4. factory made product

You are appreciated to give me suggestion .
Thx

[Guido Tent]

Originally posted by foo

Don't worry about technical details, they are top RDs in computer industry.

You are appreciated to give me suggestion .
Thx

Yes, computer industry, perfect start to design good sounding audio stuff

For your info, I've sold hundreds of these kits

http://members.chello.nl/~m.heijlige...tml/dactop.htm

[foo]

thanks for your comment .
it seems not many ppl are intersted in Hi-Tech DACs.

[kevinkr]

Designing hi tech audio dacs is not a trivial enterprise, there is a subjective element to audio performance that is close to impossible to quantify and people in the computer industry are not the ones I would choose for such an endeavour, which is basically what Guido was telling you.

Former audio product designer..

Kevin

[foo]

Thank you very much .
I will discuss with my friends about this .

[wytco0]

Hi foo,

Dont be put off!

I suspect that several people would be interested in a high end DAC, BUT you have not left much time for people to comment nor have you given much detail about your plans and why you feel that your DAC would offer something that is not already available.

I dont know anything about the technical issues involved in designing such a thing but I would be interested in a DAC project so long as it offered a quality product that operated to a very high standard and at a good price.

My preference would be for instructions and PCB's but with the possibility of buying hard to obtain parts.

[jleaman]

Do you have a schematic already ? Is this going off usb or Fire Wire ? Or is it internal ?

[foo]

Originally posted by wytco0
Hi foo,

Dont be put off!

I suspect that several people would be interested in a high end DAC, BUT you have not left much time for people to comment nor have you given much detail about your plans and why you feel that your DAC would offer something that is not already available.

I dont know anything about the technical issues involved in designing such a thing but I would be interested in a DAC project so long as it offered a quality product that operated to a very high standard and at a good price.

My preference would be for instructions and PCB's but with the possibility of buying hard to obtain parts.

Thank you for your comment and encouragement.

The main purpose(also what not available in existing kits) of this kit will be :
1. good electrical performance , less than -120db snr , 130db+ dynamic range , and very low THD . This can be achieved by using good PCB,SMD parts,and good I/V stage design .
2. jitter correction ability : low jitter clock and clock sync is required , and we will also need Ram buffer to do this dejitter job .
especially for lightpipe I/O and HTPC use , this function will be very useful .
3. As to their professional suggestion , they will undoubtedly insist on using SMD parts in digital section of this kit for best EMI/RF performance .

These 3 topics are the main digital feature of this kit.
I don't think I can argue with them over these 3 topics .
Since they will insist on using smd parts in digital section, i think we better make assembled PCBs because smd parts are not accessable for everyone .

As to analog part and PWS , this is what we can talk about .
They don't have very strong opinion about this section.
Tube outputstage is also acceptable .
If you have any suggestion , please do tell me .

My suggestion is they make modulized PCBs for the analog output
+PCM1794 + cs8416 with optional I2S input(to connect to the asrc and dijitter module, or any other digital stuff).
I think this will make the kit more flexible,and make the price easier for most people cause people can buy the basic kit for an afordable price . (cause the top quality PCB will be pricy in fullsized kit )

[foo]

Originally posted by jleaman
Do you have a schematic already ? Is this going off usb or Fire Wire ? Or is it internal ?

We haven't decide yet , I am just asking ppl's opinion and talk with my RD friends to decide what they are going to design .
However , they have already done some works. Once the blockdiagram is made sure, the layout can be made within 10 days.

[Bas Horneman]

Once you get this going, lots of people will be interested.

My suggestions would be in line with what you have already thought of...pcm1794 in mono config / i2s but with one addition and that is firewire or usb interface as well.

low jitter clock and clock sync : Maybe it would be a good idea to to use Guido's DAC clock. (Like my RAKK dac can.Also PCM1794 by the way)
http://www.tentlabs.com/ProductEntit...AC/XO-DAC.html
because it is a PROVEN design into which a lot of thinking and experience has already gone.


Anyway it seems to me it should be modular as well...
with choice to have Guido's or a different re-clocking module in...
and separate I/V conversion board...
with either passive/transformer/op amp/tube board..
regulation on board obviously but maybe a seperate "main" psu. That will feed the DAC.

Just a few things of the top of my head..

O yes and before I forget it should be ready assembled...since I tried to solder a USB 2 SPDIF converter made by guys over at head fi...and i think I won't be able to pull it off.. :-(

also the lack of reaction is also because it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere...most people are outside enjoying the weather.