Hi! New to diy audio, hoping to learn as much as possible. I think Ill start with a dac build. If anybody has any recommendations on where to begin or good beginners resources, that would be much appreciated!
Hi, can't figure out how to reply on this forum directly. But yes, I would say quite inexperienced. Tinkered but never done anything massive. Was thinking trying a soekris project. Probably best to start relatively simple I think.
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Going with modules is the best bet for you. I would start by looking for a whole deal: ready project for Soekris DAC with all the modules and chassis (at least drawings).
Something like this: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/input-and-switch-boards-for-soekris-dam1021-dac.269943/
You'll need to hunt for them second-hand probably, but they seem to pop up from time to time. It basically covers all of your needs. If you can't find any for sale, there are Gerber fil;es, so you can order then on your own. BOM stands for Bill Of Materials and it is your friend.
If that fails, you can raw dog it. Get some input modules e.g. Amanero, or JL Audio USB to I2S and run some wires between it and the Soekris PCB. Then you'll need some power supplies which you can find as project in diyaudiostore.com or on ebay as modules. Then you have to put it together and Boom you have a working DAC. With no enclosure.
Going with modules is the best bet for you. I would start by looking for a whole deal: ready project for Soekris DAC with all the modules and chassis (at least drawings).
Something like this: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/input-and-switch-boards-for-soekris-dam1021-dac.269943/
You'll need to hunt for them second-hand probably, but they seem to pop up from time to time. It basically covers all of your needs. If you can't find any for sale, there are Gerber fil;es, so you can order then on your own. BOM stands for Bill Of Materials and it is your friend.
If that fails, you can raw dog it. Get some input modules e.g. Amanero, or JL Audio USB to I2S and run some wires between it and the Soekris PCB. Then you'll need some power supplies which you can find as project in diyaudiostore.com or on ebay as modules. Then you have to put it together and Boom you have a working DAC. With no enclosure.
Its much easier to build a dac if you have already built at least one simple solid state preamp, or a headphone amp; something like that. By starting with dacs, you are starting with one of the most complicated areas in audio. There are no books from Doug Self, or Bob Cordell, that tell you pretty much everything.
So, why do you want to start with a dac?
Do you have a 100MHz, 2-channel scope or better and know how to use it?
Do you know every function in your DVM?
Do you know how to read a schematic?
IOW, we need to know where you are starting from. Then we can figure out how to talk to you.
EDIT: Forgot as ask if you know how to read dac datasheets, such as one from ESS?
Mouser.com has them, such as this one: https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/1082/ES9038Q2M_Datasheet_v1_4-3074379.pdf
So, why do you want to start with a dac?
Do you have a 100MHz, 2-channel scope or better and know how to use it?
Do you know every function in your DVM?
Do you know how to read a schematic?
IOW, we need to know where you are starting from. Then we can figure out how to talk to you.
EDIT: Forgot as ask if you know how to read dac datasheets, such as one from ESS?
Mouser.com has them, such as this one: https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/1082/ES9038Q2M_Datasheet_v1_4-3074379.pdf
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Thats why I signed up to this site actually, for soekris stuff.
I am a novice, but I have used an oscilloscope before. I do not own one however.
I'm no expert but I have a decent multimeter and I think I know what every setting does.
Schematics are difficult for me. I have tried half heartedly to learn. I find them very unintuitive.
I haven't read a datasheet for a dac before, but I have read ic and opamp datasheets before (and of course simpler parts as well).
Point is, I really am no expert. The reason for me to start with a dac is pretty simple - I don't have one. I do have some of the books you mentioned (I think both but I can't find one of them for some reason, so maybe just one). Trouble for me is I don't like the writing. I find it boring. I usually learn better from making mistakes anyway, and while nothing beats a good book I haven't found the right one for me yet
Okay, understood. Probably you should start out with a fairly easy diy dac project designed by someone with a fair amount of experience. You still get to do a lot of work, provide power supplies, put it in a case, etc. Here is a very popular and good sounding project to maybe consider: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/dac-ad1862-almost-tht-i2s-input-nos-r-2r.354078/