USB DAC at 24-bit

A3rd.Zero · 6th February 2007, 04:29 AM

I have spent three days now searching so I feel I can post this without guilt

I can't seem to find a USB DAC chip that supports 24-bit. If someone knows of one please tell me!!!!

In the case that there is no such thing yet then I was wondering if anyone knew how to attach a USB controller chip to a 24-bit dac chip that doesn't support USB. I realize that this is a very noobish question, but I am sure that it is possible because there are 24-bit USB DAC's out there.

I know 24-bit is sort of silly but in this case it is important.

Thoughs? Thanks.

Milo

sek · 6th February 2007, 12:24 PM

Hi Milo,

virtually all of the 24bit DACs (or audio interface units as a whole) out there - which I know of - use a USB controller for communication and a dedicated DAC (or CODEC) for conversion.

Most common is the Texas Instruments TUSB3200/3210 series and their successors (see http://www.ti.com).

Hope this helps,
Sebastian.

A3rd.Zero · 7th February 2007, 01:34 AM

Sek,

I took a look at the TUSB3200 pdf. It explains a little to me. But I am very unused to digital circuits. Not that used to Analog circuits but I feel much more comfortable with them

.

Do you have to program the TUSB3200? Or do you just connect it to the DAC? What pins am I looking for in terms of the USB controller sending information to the DAC and the DAC recieving.

Thanks for your help!

Milo

edit: Looked at some of the applications sheets and found a diagram connecting the TUSB3200 with the TLC320AD77. The TLC is a CODEC (not sure what the difference between a CODEC and an DAC is). The TLC looks like it is sending Analog out, but its also connected to a VREF filter. The TUSB is connected to a EPROM as well.

1. do I have to connect the VREF filter (what is it for)?
2. do I have to connect the EPROM (that means programming the damn thing right)?
3. There were mentions of firmware in regards to the TUSB. Does that mean I have to program it or just update its firmware with TI firmware updates.

Thanks for the patience.

sek · 7th February 2007, 03:32 AM

Such ICs are a heck more complicated than a USB DAC!

Yes, it means programming a firmware and supplying it to the TUSB via the EEPROM. TI supplies tools for all this, but it's still programming... although difficulty level: washing machine.

Vref is used because there also is an input in this application. CODEC means coder/decoder (ADC and DAC)

A3rd.Zero · 8th February 2007, 12:28 AM

The little voice that is saying "JUST BUY THE APOGEE" is starting to become a big voice... with a stick. Only my wallet stands in his way.

Thanks for the help. Ill do a bunch of reading and maybe Ill revive this thread at a later date when I know a little more. Thanks for your help Sek!

Milo

sek · 8th February 2007, 12:36 AM

Never heard something bad about the sound of an Apogee interface as of yet.
But it's of course not the only manufacturer of good interfacing equipment.

I hope you find what you need,
Sebastian.

6th February 2007, 04:29 AM	#1
A3rd.Zero diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles	USB DAC at 24-bit I have spent three days now searching so I feel I can post this without guilt I can't seem to find a USB DAC chip that supports 24-bit. If someone knows of one please tell me!!!! In the case that there is no such thing yet then I was wondering if anyone knew how to attach a USB controller chip to a 24-bit dac chip that doesn't support USB. I realize that this is a very noobish question, but I am sure that it is possible because there are 24-bit USB DAC's out there. I know 24-bit is sort of silly but in this case it is important. Thoughs? Thanks. Milo __________________ How did I live without Nina Simone for so long?

7th February 2007, 01:34 AM	#3
A3rd.Zero diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles	Sek, I took a look at the TUSB3200 pdf. It explains a little to me. But I am very unused to digital circuits. Not that used to Analog circuits but I feel much more comfortable with them . Do you have to program the TUSB3200? Or do you just connect it to the DAC? What pins am I looking for in terms of the USB controller sending information to the DAC and the DAC recieving. Thanks for your help! Milo edit: Looked at some of the applications sheets and found a diagram connecting the TUSB3200 with the TLC320AD77. The TLC is a CODEC (not sure what the difference between a CODEC and an DAC is). The TLC looks like it is sending Analog out, but its also connected to a VREF filter. The TUSB is connected to a EPROM as well. 1. do I have to connect the VREF filter (what is it for)? 2. do I have to connect the EPROM (that means programming the damn thing right)? 3. There were mentions of firmware in regards to the TUSB. Does that mean I have to program it or just update its firmware with TI firmware updates. Thanks for the patience. __________________ How did I live without Nina Simone for so long?

8th February 2007, 12:28 AM	#5
A3rd.Zero diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles	The little voice that is saying "JUST BUY THE APOGEE" is starting to become a big voice... with a stick. Only my wallet stands in his way. Thanks for the help. Ill do a bunch of reading and maybe Ill revive this thread at a later date when I know a little more. Thanks for your help Sek! Milo __________________ How did I live without Nina Simone for so long?

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6th February 2007, 12:24 PM	#2
sek diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Berlin	Hi Milo, virtually all of the 24bit DACs (or audio interface units as a whole) out there - which I know of - use a USB controller for communication and a dedicated DAC (or CODEC) for conversion. Most common is the Texas Instruments TUSB3200/3210 series and their successors (see http://www.ti.com). Hope this helps, Sebastian.

7th February 2007, 03:32 AM	#4
sek diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Berlin	Such ICs are a heck more complicated than a USB DAC! Yes, it means programming a firmware and supplying it to the TUSB via the EEPROM. TI supplies tools for all this, but it's still programming... although difficulty level: washing machine. Vref is used because there also is an input in this application. CODEC means coder/decoder (ADC and DAC)

8th February 2007, 12:36 AM	#6
sek diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Berlin	Never heard something bad about the sound of an Apogee interface as of yet. But it's of course not the only manufacturer of good interfacing equipment. I hope you find what you need, Sebastian.

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