USB-I2S DAC Kit build

jkeny · 20th April 2006, 11:09 AM

I've built this USB DAC kit http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/report/d3/d3.html and found the board & parts to be very good (all dale resistors, Elna Silmic & cerafine caps & Wima caps). Board options are excellent - jumper for internal DAC or switch to onboard TDA1543 I2S in non-os with own PSU.

I have listened to it in stock form USB powered, standard crystal & the sound from the PCM2706 internal DAC is stunning - the hackneyed phrase springs to mind - "I'm hearing things I never heard before" - Pink Floyd Wish you were here intro of ststic radio with a short conversation between a male & female is now crystal clear & you can actually follow the conversation. As well as the detail the presentation is v good top to bottom - this is all on my test speakers & not my mains.

With this good a sound in stock form I am keen to push it further (although I have heard that the internal DAC is better than non-os TDA1543) - the board has a jumper which can switch to I2S.

I haven't yet been able to get I2S working - looked over schematic & circuit board & soldering & can't see any problems - maybe someone here can help (schematic attached).

I'm also keen to set it up for self power - I will probably start with just disconnecting USB power pin 1 from USB plug & connect to regulated 5V supply - I have heard that if this power is turned on before D+ it can burn chip - how have other people applied self power?

My next step would be full self power - regulated 3.3V & 5V to appropriate PCM2706 pins - how have people implemented this? - I have some nice 3.3V boards salvaged from Dell computers which should work nicely here.

Any help greatly appreciated
John

jkeny · 20th April 2006, 11:11 AM

Full Schematics here: http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/download/AW_D3.pdf

hifimaker · 20th April 2006, 04:02 PM

What is the HP Out used for in the upper right corner of the schematic?

-David

Destroyer OS. · 20th April 2006, 06:04 PM

Where do you buy it?

Does it have I2S outputs? Can you make it output SPDIF or I2S?

I would love a nice SPDIF, I2S, headphone amplifier, stand alone possible unit, LOVE one.

jkeny · 20th April 2006, 07:36 PM

You can buy it here http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/index_en.htm and for $60 it's a real steal with quality parts as I said.

HP section is the headphone/Line output - this is what I have connected into t-amp and it makes a fabulous portable unit.

I have no afilliation with this company.

On the Pink Floyd track I mentioned "Wish you wre here" apart from the conversation over the static radio noise being crystal clear I noticed a sound there is also the clear sound of someone (Gilmour?) clearing his throat on one channel.

Further playing with Nora Jones, Diana Krall, Aslan have revealed much more atmosphere in the recordings and voices & singing that are now more characterful (more like their live voices).

John

Destroyer OS. · 20th April 2006, 09:38 PM

How long does it take to be delivered? Also does it do I2S output? Just curious if you know.... I suppose I can try to contact them.

jkeny · 20th April 2006, 10:25 PM

Delivery is quick about 10 days to Ireland from Hong Kong but I had to go on a waiting list as it is heavily over ordered.

Yes it does I2S, / SPDIF, Optical & Headphone output. This is selected by a jumper on board - I haven'y got I2S SPDIF or Optical working yet - trying to sort it out but headphone output is great.

John

Destroyer OS. · 21st April 2006, 03:13 AM

How do you like it?

MGH · 21st April 2006, 02:15 PM

Hi jkeny,

I'm a little confused. It has two different DACs in it - TDA1543 and PCM2706? Are both processing data at the same time? How do you chose one over the other? Thanks.

johnthedoctor · 21st April 2006, 04:19 PM

The how to build it page gives lots of details. Far as I can tell, there's a jumper to let you switch between the Burr Brown or the non os 1543. A few posters on their forum have problems with the 1543 not working.

However, jkenys' report on the BB dac makes that worth the price of the kit imo so if I get it and the 1543 also works, that'll be a bonus.

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20th April 2006, 11:11 AM	#2
jkeny Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dublin	Full Schematics here: http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/download/AW_D3.pdf

20th April 2006, 04:02 PM	#3
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	What is the HP Out used for in the upper right corner of the schematic? -David

20th April 2006, 06:04 PM	#4
Destroyer OS. diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Where do you buy it? Does it have I2S outputs? Can you make it output SPDIF or I2S? I would love a nice SPDIF, I2S, headphone amplifier, stand alone possible unit, LOVE one.

20th April 2006, 07:36 PM	#5
jkeny Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dublin	You can buy it here http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/index_en.htm and for $60 it's a real steal with quality parts as I said. HP section is the headphone/Line output - this is what I have connected into t-amp and it makes a fabulous portable unit. I have no afilliation with this company. On the Pink Floyd track I mentioned "Wish you wre here" apart from the conversation over the static radio noise being crystal clear I noticed a sound there is also the clear sound of someone (Gilmour?) clearing his throat on one channel. Further playing with Nora Jones, Diana Krall, Aslan have revealed much more atmosphere in the recordings and voices & singing that are now more characterful (more like their live voices). John

20th April 2006, 09:38 PM	#6
Destroyer OS. diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	How long does it take to be delivered? Also does it do I2S output? Just curious if you know.... I suppose I can try to contact them.

20th April 2006, 10:25 PM	#7
jkeny Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dublin	Delivery is quick about 10 days to Ireland from Hong Kong but I had to go on a waiting list as it is heavily over ordered. Yes it does I2S, / SPDIF, Optical & Headphone output. This is selected by a jumper on board - I haven'y got I2S SPDIF or Optical working yet - trying to sort it out but headphone output is great. John

21st April 2006, 03:13 AM	#8
Destroyer OS. diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	How do you like it?

21st April 2006, 02:15 PM	#9
MGH diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: massachussetts	Hi jkeny, I'm a little confused. It has two different DACs in it - TDA1543 and PCM2706? Are both processing data at the same time? How do you chose one over the other? Thanks.

21st April 2006, 04:19 PM	#10
johnthedoctor diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	The how to build it page gives lots of details. Far as I can tell, there's a jumper to let you switch between the Burr Brown or the non os 1543. A few posters on their forum have problems with the 1543 not working. However, jkenys' report on the BB dac makes that worth the price of the kit imo so if I get it and the 1543 also works, that'll be a bonus.

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