Comparing AK4399 to AK4495

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That is not quite true.
There is a DC voltage on the analog outputs. On page 56 of the datasheet it says:
"The analog outputs are full differential outputs and 2.8Vpp (typ, VREFHL/R - VREFLL/R = 5V) centered around VDDR/2 and VDDL/2 voltages."

So there is a DC voltage of typically 2.5 V on the outputs. AKM may have done something in the SC filters to eliminate the DC offset between the two outputs for each channel. But there is still a DC bias of 2.5 V.
Figure 39 has capacitors to remove this DC bias before the amplifiers/filters. In figure 38 they are not needed, because the amplifier/filter circuit is a differential amplifier.

There is about 5 - 6mV DC offset. But there is a turn on "blob".

It is also right, without DSD support from the interface, there is no need to use them.. It require some I2C/SPI writing to setup the AKM chips to run them in DSD and/or changing filters a.o.

This has to be done upfront the datastream.
 
Sorry for my questions; So by reading this thread I realized that AK4495 is the normal evolution of the AK4399? as a sound seems higher, with the same implementations, right? Among all these PCB Kit with AK4495 there is a simple PCB kit with input only Coax + optical or only coax inputs?. I'm not interested in USB input and Volume control.Just it needs a DAC and must do only the DAC.

Thank you for helping me🙂
 
Sorry for my questions; So by reading this thread I realized that AK4495 is the normal evolution of the AK4399? as a sound seems higher, with the same implementations, right? Among all these PCB Kit with AK4495 there is a simple PCB kit with input only Coax + optical or only coax inputs?. I'm not interested in USB input and Volume control.Just it needs a DAC and must do only the DAC.

Thank you for helping me🙂

ak4495 does not have direct SPDIF input. You would have to additionally use something like this:
The S/PDIF Transceiver Module.
Their es9018k2m module have direct optical (no coax) spdif input, however it still requires usb xmos module to be connected to send i2c command to switch between i2s and spdif.
 
hi
im not much of a diy person but of late have been reading and am interested in the weiliang dacs. the one i've narrowed down to is Finished AK4495 AK4118 DAC Decode LM49860 High Quality New Design for Audio | eBay

whatever decisions im making is based on reading through the pages on this forum and talking to a few people. a couple of questions

1. how is the build quality of these dacs. are they troublesome and would they need periodical maintenance?

2. the other option for me was to go for the arcam rdac rDAC / rDAC-kw - USB DACs - Arcam

since the new model (irdac) is out, im getting the rdac on sale.

this is the first time i would be venturing into the assembled kits for a dac. would appreciate any help on deciding which one to go with. if the weiliang kit is considered much better, am leaning in that direction

both would cost me around 300 dollars including delivery
 
Hi afj,

At Dual Mono AK4399 Weiliang thread, we discussed some design flaws that directly influences sound quality. For example wrong TVDD voltage of AK4113/4118 spdif receiver is the serious one to deal with by proper modification. I have no any idea about newer kits from Weiliang has such issues as well. There is a dual version of newer AK4495 but I'm not sure that it is from Weiliang or not. You can check this WM8741 dac from YJ too. It supports DSD and donated with xmos u8 usb receiver and dual stage analog filter.
 
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thanks terranigma. not sure if this is the case with the weiliang 4495 as well.

the other dacs you mentioned are kits and im not an engineer and dont want to experiment putting it together.

taking into consideration the tvdd voltage flaw, not sure whether to go with the 4495 finished dac or the arcam rdac. would only take the chance with the 4495 kit if its a lot better in sound quality
 
Yes, I am using a "factory product" from Aune at this moment. Aune is the product division of the largest hi fi diy website hifidiy.net in China. Aune S16 is a compact DAC with headphone output (I nearly forgot about this) using single AK4495 but as a diyer, I dislike this compact size and SMD components because I don't have steady hands to modify it anymore. You can go to their website and have a look of the S16 auneaudio | High Performance Audio - Crafted in China.

Weiliang also debut their AK4495+AK4118 DAC that I have just talked to them in buying the kit without the analog output part. This will reduce my "exploration fee" but I am still thinking of buying a version that accepts direct IIS input from another supplier in China. Recently, I heard of how it sounds like by connecting a CDPro2 with a DAC through IIS - just can't imagine the same gears can sound so differently when using IIS connection. Too many toys here.
That S16 looks like one sweet DAC - with every conceivable hookup. Too bad the price tag is a bit out of my range (no pun intended. 🙂 ) The inside exudes quality at every turn. I like that. Beautiful!
 
Hi I recently found very a very good ak4490 DAC DIY friendly implemenation. It is dual mono ak4490 config. It has direct I2S input and RAW +/- outputs as options, which means you can connect any output stage you want e.g.: super v/i converter (LL1684) and you create music server with direct I2s Input e.g.: with Odroid C1+.

NovaPlus - eShop Home

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
 
Hi I recently found very a very good ak4490 DAC DIY friendly implemenation. It is dual mono ak4490 config. It has direct I2S input and RAW +/- outputs as options, which means you can connect any output stage you want e.g.: super v/i converter (LL1684) and you create music server with direct I2s Input e.g.: with Odroid C1+.

NovaPlus - eShop Home
@ 599 euro is little expensive I think, recently bought a Chinese dual AK4490 similar to this
Assembled AK4490EQ AK4118 Double Soft Control DAC Board Support DOP DSD | eBay

It may have all the deficiencies associated with the Dual AK4399, I don't know and didn't check. What know is it does sound quite good superior to my older AK4396. At this price I think it is a bargain. Bought the board and change the output op amps.
Also board the USB U8 daughter board, also good value sounds quite good too. Overall fully recommended.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
 
Assembled dual AK4495

This ready made dual AK4495 is a bargain because it saves you a lot of work but on the other hand, you lack the joy in building it up from ground. I purchased a number of them for my friends in Canada and they made modifications in different degrees. Everyone is happy with this board and the previous dual AK4399 were all packed and shelved.

After listening to Aune S16 for an extended period of time, my hands are greedy to build an AK4495. Instead of buying a dual AK4495 that I purchased a number of them for my friends, I purchased a single AK4495 kit from Weiliang. The most difficult part is the soldering of SMD components but it is all done now. Building DIY kit helps me to switch to whatever components I would like to use.

After completion, the kit does not work! I re-checked every voltage rail and they are all correct. I immediately chat with Weiliang last Sunday afternoon through online communication service and by no surprise, they came back with solution immediately - I have to short the transistor onboard the MCU to make everything work. I also noticed that the one who handle my situation is Weiliang himself working in a Sunday afternoon.

After listening for the evening and turning it on over Sunday night, the performance is getting better and better until ..... I put in a MUSES01 opamp. I purchased this opamp last year when I was in Akihabara (Tokyo). This opamp is bringing the kit into sky level. The bass is punchy, the mid is musical and the high is transparent and crunchy. This opamp improves the overall density and worth every penny I spent.

One thing worth mentioning. Many AKxxxx DAC kits use a so call "Philips" 10uF axial capacitors around the DAC chip but in my opinion, these caps do not sound right. I switched to different 10uF caps including ZL, FM and Silmic (from reliable source) over the course of my various AKxxxx projects that every one of them can produce a specific sound character. Changing the value to 22uF also increase the bass performance but it depends if your system is producing sufficient bass already.
 
Good afternoon.
I read all posts and realized that you have the most extensive experience in the DAC.
I want to buy DAC in China but do not know which one to choose.
As a source want to use (https://world.taobao.com/item/44413428758.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.AJfQRT#detail)
Power Hypex UcD400 me, I need him completely balanced output of the DAC.
Actually, I need balanced outputs from the DAC and connect my source, it is best to do, and will it work?
I choose between the two cards first (https://world.taobao.com/item/528951....XT3Olq#detail) on a single chip, but there is no balanced output will have to buy a separate preamp, please advise a.
The second option on two chips (https://world.taobao.com/item/529845632069.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.XT3Olq#detail) photo like is balanced outputs.
if in the second embodiment has a balanced output (XLR) you can buy a ready-made device here is (https://world.taobao.com/item/524152867079.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.4X0Z5w#detail) and alter it to do balanced outputs itself. Is it possible?
I now do not know what to choose, please tell me.
 
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Good afternoon.
I read all posts and realized that you have the most extensive experience in the DAC.
I want to buy DAC in China but do not know which one to choose.
As a source want to use (https://world.taobao.com/item/44413428758.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.AJfQRT#detail)
Power Hypex UcD400 me, I need him completely balanced output of the DAC.
Actually, I need balanced outputs from the DAC and connect my source, it is best to do, and will it work?
I choose between the two cards first (https://world.taobao.com/item/528951....XT3Olq#detail) on a single chip, but there is no balanced output will have to buy a separate preamp, please advise a.
The second option on two chips (https://world.taobao.com/item/529845632069.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.XT3Olq#detail) photo like is balanced outputs.
if in the second embodiment has a balanced output (XLR) you can buy a ready-made device here is (https://world.taobao.com/item/524152867079.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.4X0Z5w#detail) and alter it to do balanced outputs itself. Is it possible?
I now do not know what to choose, please tell me.
If you read my review above I bought an older model based on AK4490 instead of AK4495, the AK4490 is adequate for most of the situations I am using esp. if you you are not using high DSD clocking.
I would recommend to you to use DUAL AK4490 or AK4495 based board and then buy dual op amps to replace the existing ones based on NE5534 . I compared the my dual AK4490 to my older model AK4396, it is clearly superior you will not be disappointed. Besides it is cheap.
 
Guys!
There is good news. We collected DAC Chinese Ultimate Star. This is an inexpensive DAC but it is better made than you discussed DACs. Already there are a few reviews. They were compared with the rather expensive equipment. There are comments that it sounds better and Aune16 Audiolab 8200 and some other proprietary DAC. The sound of all estimated the average hi-fi.
And it's ready version - fully assembled board, which does not require a strong improvement, even with remote control
And there is one version with ak4495 two ak4495, ak4490 These versions are without power. I have lots and lots of information on it. We dismantled all the nuances of this DAC.
Before that I collected on a dual DAC ak4399. This DAC is much better.
 
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Diy-DACs from Ultimate Star
Advantages - relatively inexpensive, and the exhaust is not fancy but good for demo board, good equipment, built on discrete power or the ability to use its power to the OS and primary digital and analogue DAC. Quite good secondary stubs - lt1763 analogue, adp151 digit (are individual for each chip, quartz). The full DAC DAC analog power and oh - embedded discrete shunt regulators. Support DSD (ASIO NATIVE not klatsat). Control. Home - made quite sensibly and do not require a global alteration!
https://ustars.world.taobao.com/category.htm?spm=a31…nTgS&search=y магазин разработчика на тао
https://world.taobao.com/item/44710983763.htm?fromSi…0809223.33.QhjfXx цап с питанием, экраном, спдиф, и ДУ. Особенности - питание оу и аналога цап - дискретные шунт-регуляторы. питание цифры - первичное 7805- вторичное adp151. фильтр - по схеме из демоборда ак4495 .
https://world.taobao.com/item/520401395018.htm?fromS…0809223.28.QhjfXx одиночный цап ак4495 без питания.
особенности - входы под +-15 на оу, 10В на аналог цап, около ак4495 на аналог идет lt1763 6.9в. вход цифры 5в, дальше adp151.
https://world.taobao.com/item/526038366366.htm?fromS…0809223.39.QhjfXx двойной цап ак4495 без питания
https://world.taobao.com/item/520834209345.htm?fromS…0809223.30.y1VvmE ак4490 цап
https://world.taobao.com/item/527172582335.htm?spm=a…abe5-391b63f82468 чисто DSD цап по открытому проекту Сигналиста Signalyst
https://world.taobao.com/item/44752822185.htm?spm=a3…a272-d9b95da6abb2 родной XMOS (либо полностью подходит стандартный Amanero)
есть версия xmos (чуть дороже) с кремниевыми резонаторами SITIME (Upgrade SITIME crystal version (two 24.576M, 22.5792M upgrade for ultra-low jitter crystal SIT8208) SiT8208: Ultra Performance LVCMOS Oscillator
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a312a.7700824.w…p;id=520832497451 плата спдиф-приемника на Ак4118
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a312a.7700824.w…p;id=523984212824 плата спдиф-приемника и ресемплера на АК4118 и АК4137
ПС. Были в продаже и родные корпуса. Ждем-с их поступления и изготовления родных плат питания.
https://yadi.sk/d/42vLgyR-r7mGE размеры и разъемы корпуса
https://yadi.sk/d/2RXbYbZNr7vJQ перемычки и комплектация цапа без питания от lomonosoff
https://yadi.sk/i/-u_BoE1LrZaPY перемычки дуал-версии платы . перевод от mr.Radio
https://yadi.sk/i/404E2zyrr9XW6 пульт ДУ. активация. пульт ДУ должен быть - Apple (Проверены модели:Model No:A1156 emc no: 2086,...)
"Делал по инструкции с картинки. Сначала зажал две кнопки с первой картинки и получил надпись IR_OK, затем зажал две кнопки с второй картинки и тоже дождался IR_OK. Только после этого пульт начал работать..." Дядя_Федор
https://yadi.sk/d/uxQLqNosrAaVH колхоз-тюнинг
smile.gif
альтернативный логотип, одобренный разработчиком Ustars
qchx88@163.com связь с разработчиком Большая просьба зря не дергать! Только по существенным вопросам. Иначе разработчик перестанет отвечать!
важные мелочи
- гребенки на платах надо распаивать одинаково вверх либо вниз (имхо лучше вниз - универсальнее) либо придется переделывать шлейф
- https://yadi.sk/i/SO73qj1Zrg6wA питание версии дуал наглядно на фото , от Viktor_VY
- https://yadi.sk/i/dL955yJtrg7jE схема дискретного питания полной версии , от Viktor_VY
- https://yadi.sk/i/xog0Q5pyrg7qX выхлоп цап устарс (это схема из демо-борд AK4495SEQ)

Часто упоминаемые проекты дий
DIYINHK дийинк из гонконга
AK4495 - I2S over USB Audio JL Sounds от болгар
https://cirydac.world.taobao.com/category.htm?spm=a3…ttRM&search=y CIRY AUDIO. Интересный китаец. В основном специализируется на цап на рсм1794, есть интересное питание, ушники, в т.ч и портативный...
https://shop36043292.world.taobao.com/search.htm?spm…scene=taobao_shop SURE AUDIO. Профессиональные дий для озвучки - блютус, усилители, в т.ч и мощные.

Вегалабовские дий-цапы
http://www.lynxaudio.net/%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%84%D1%80%D0…1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2/ LYNX AUDIO
Audio - ALTOR AUDIO ALTOR AUDIO
http://soundex.ru/?app=core&module=members&c…file&id=73480 ENERGETIK
Ôîðóì Âåãàëàá цап по мотивам Линкс на ак4490 от sergey367

Массовые недорогие китайские дий Как правило, требуют доработки.
https://shop35413239.world.taobao.com/?spm=a312a.772…15080705.4.msV7wX Weiliang. ЦАП, усилители, питание и много всего еще. Клоны и оригинальные разработки.
https://shop35754574.world.taobao.com/?spm=a312a.772…15080705.4.Y7CFAy Юинг. Более дешевый аналог Вейлианга.
https://shop66230945.world.taobao.com/?spm=a312a.772…15080705.3.9wvwfh AI DIY оригинальные недорогие дий

Драйвера
https://yadi.sk/d/g2BE0jOkr7CPs драйвера xmos weiliang 1.61 , 2.23

XMOS(Ustars Audio).rar ? RGhost ? ????????????? драйвера xmos ustars 2.23 (Wave IO), 2.26
Luckit WaveIO modDrivers v3.34.0.7z ? RGhost ? ????????????? драйвер xmos ustars 3.34 (мод Wave IO)
Примечание - с драйверами Wave IO не клацает под DSD на ASIO NATIVE
Установка неподписанных драйверов Win7, Win8, Win8.1, Win10 от Sergei_27
Дий-проекты ЦАП - Ustars, Weiliang и другие проекты

Качественные плееры
Программный аудиоплеер "Album Player 2.x"
https://www.foobar2000.org/ foobar2000
https://www.jriver.com/ jriver
XMPlay Support , сборка от Wital https://yadi.sk/d/kg2uku6grYXkm xmplay

Настройки плееров под DSD
http://matrix-digi.com/pdf/DSD_Configuration_Guide.rar от Ubeavis . описание настройки под Foobar2000, Audirvana. JRiver
http://zvukomaniya.ru/kak-nastroit-dsd-na-foobar2000/ Foobar2000
How to play DSD files on Foobar | PS Audio Foobar2000
По Албум плеер все просто. Распаковываем архив. Из папки EXTRA копируем с заменой в основную папку папки ASIO и HTPC. Выбираем в режиме вывода нужный нам АСИО. Заходим в Форматы файлов - ISO.DFF.DSF - Конфигурация - выбираем NATIVE ASIO
Конвертация pcm/dsd, dsd/dsd на лету для foobar, album player
Программный аудиоплеер "Album Player 2.x" (часть 2) от keeper58
Дий-проекты ЦАП - Ustars и другие проекты от Tager

Проекты на LINUX
https://www.daphile.com/#download (не клацает DSD)
Sonore ISO2DSD – V.A.M.P.
Kodi (XBMC) как оболочка HTPC [FAQ на первой странице читать обязательно] (часть 2)
https://rufus.akeo.ie/ создание загрузочной флешки

Питание
Из коллективного опыта сборки - на питание оу и первичное питание аналога цап лучше подходят дискретные стабилизаторы. Первичное питание цифры - по вкусу, Устарс использует простые 7805... По платам без питания - +10 аналог цап можно питать от плюса питания оу, а
+5 цифру можно запитать от платы ак4118 или ак4137.
???? ??????? LINEAR POWER 1 LINEAR POWER от REN
MisterTao: Leading Taobao Agent - Taobao Product - ??????????? ?? питание оу в классе А
?????? ????????? ???????/?????????? ?? Taobao ??????, ?? ???????? ???? питание оу
https://world.taobao.com/item/523237220473.htm?fromS…4227019.39.uSsI59 питание оу от CIRY
https://world.taobao.com/item/522950791695.htm?fromS…2014.21088516.0.0 для аналога цап клон питания STUDER900
https://shop35413239.world.taobao.com/search.htm?q=S…mp;initiative_id= STUDER900 от Вейлианга
https://world.taobao.com/item/1666478416.htm?fromSit…0978983.23.DOEyRq качественное дискретное питание оу с выходом на полевых транзисторах. клон Erno (Erno Borbely)
https://world.taobao.com/item/524348240177.htm?spm=a…8516-ad4cd4b4f4e6 LT1963A регулируемый (например первичный на цифру)
MisterTao: Leading Taobao Agent - Taobao Product - 78XX?? ????? 5V 12V 15V 18V 24V ????? ?? PCB 7805. можно приспособить под много чего... например первичное питание цифры...

Как купить.
Aliexpress. у продавцов есть и другие платы. цены немного отличаются.
http://ru.aliexpress.com/item/AK4495S-DAC-decoder-fi…etailNewVersion=2 Магазин:Rose Electronic, есть жалобы на сроки обработки и доставки
http://ru.aliexpress.com/item/DUAL-AK4495S-DAC-decod…/32625139431.html Магазин:jack Electronic
http://ru.aliexpress.com/store/group/HIFI-DAC-Amplif…8.100006.2.8EO8Ea Магазин:jack Electronic
TaoBao- Через посредников.
MisterTao: Leading Taobao Agent - Taobao Product - AK4495S DAC??? ?? ??????????? DSD IIS?? цап без питания
MisterTao: Leading Taobao Agent - Taobao Product - HIFI???? XMOS U8?? USB ? IIS/DSD ??PCM/DSD xmos
https://yadi.sk/d/iIoB6n6Fr7Rkb инструкция по покупкам с ТаоБао через посредника MisterTao (проверенный (730user )
http://forum.ixbt.com/post.cgi?id=attach:12:56485:218:1.jpg вес и стоимость пересылки через посредника. часто спрашивают.
?????? ?? ???????, ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????, ??? ???, ?????? ?? ?????, ??????? ?????? t-b.ru.com посредник с русским переводом, проверенный (lomonosoff)
VERA-SHOP - ????????-??????? ??????? ?? ????? ? ?????? ??? ?????. ????????? ??????/taobao.com vera-shop.ru посредник с русским переводом, проверенный (Sergei_27)
ua-tao.com - Taobao ? ??????? ua-tao.com украинский посредник, проверенный (oster)
ПС. Совет - не заказывать или заказывать обдуманно тяжелые вещи с тао через посредника - недешево. Печатные платы и тд. - вполне...

Даташиты
https://yadi.sk/i/rjgwOMJYrg27D AK4495SEQ
https://yadi.sk/i/wTiOvucerg29i AK4495SEQ eva board
https://yadi.sk/d/DgIDuYK-rg2Cr AK4137EQ
https://yadi.sk/i/3VSJBCdCrg2Ez AK4118
https://yadi.sk/i/dzv2O1NGrg2Gr LT1763fh
https://yadi.sk/i/3Pf1zLperg2Un adp150
https://yadi.sk/i/xLgLuYYfrg2Lt реле, применяемое в устарсах

https://yadi.sk/i/II0KwmLJrg2Jv LT1963
https://yadi.sk/i/nr6YiRWlrg2QW ора1611
https://yadi.sk/i/TTsAG4o0rg2Ry ad797
https://yadi.sk/i/Z6MhwKvqrg2Tf lt3042
https://yadi.sk/i/PZnaSgLLrg2XK Lynx D70

Полезные статьи
Çàçåìëåíèå è çâó÷àíèå àïïàðàòóðû О заземлении ЦАП и подключении EMI фильтров. LINX
Premium Audio Devices | AKM - Asahi Kasei Microdevices Ранжирование DAC ADC SRC от AKM
https://yadi.sk/i/TzX0xT5yrZbm4 О техпроцессе при производстве ак4495 -SE, SEQ и 4490. Официальный ответ на запрос lomonosoff от АКМ . До 4497 - топ (был) именно АК4495SEQ.


Ссылки на проверенные магазины радиокомпонентов
https://world.taobao.com/item/36051882640.htm?fromSite=main ОУ, транзисторы и тд. и тп. ...

Отзывы по Устарс
Дий-проекты ЦАП - Ustars и другие проекты Дий-проекты ЦАП - Ustars и другие проекты Viktor_VY
Продукция от Weilianga и не только. Sergei_27
Продукция от Weilianga и не только. Wital
Продукция от Weilianga и не только. 730user
Продукция от Weilianga и не только. lomonosoff
AK4399 DAC9 (V1.2) Äåøåâûé Hi-Fi - Ñòðàíèöà 114 Uncle_Fedor
Дий-проекты ЦАП - Ustars, Weiliang и другие проекты, #0 DJ
http://ru.aliexpress.com/item/AK4495S-DAC-decoder-fi…etailNewVersion=2 Отзывы с алиэкспресс...
 
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