what is this sounds better than all of this : https://www.ebay.com/itm/353458407584
pcm56, just plain and simple... straight to preamp or volume control amp. I bet it sounds awesome! 35$
PCM56 for $22 delivered (to the UK) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007079208949.html
I went for the AIYIMA DAC-A1 as I had to make a decision. The PCM56 was very basic, and just coaxial. Though the 'dark' description had my interest. The $40 AIYIMA is a box full of familiar parts, with headphone socket and a remote that has bass and treble. I already have it's second life in the garage on PC speakers planned. Using it's BT input. The USB the OP wanted, is there, and the optical I actually need.
I will get it to bits for pics when it's here. Though not the slightest interest has been seen for it 🙂
I went for the AIYIMA DAC-A1 as I had to make a decision. The PCM56 was very basic, and just coaxial. Though the 'dark' description had my interest. The $40 AIYIMA is a box full of familiar parts, with headphone socket and a remote that has bass and treble. I already have it's second life in the garage on PC speakers planned. Using it's BT input. The USB the OP wanted, is there, and the optical I actually need.
I will get it to bits for pics when it's here. Though not the slightest interest has been seen for it 🙂
The PCM56 does indeed have excellent bass, but I wouldn't call it dark. It sounds pretty neutral to me. I chose that chip because there are genuine AD1856 versions available and because it's still plentiful and cheap, unlike AD1862 and AD1865 and even rarer ones like PCM63. It's a 16 bit chip, but that works for me. I have no digital design skills whatsoever but I'm good at tube design and I did try a ECC40 I/V stage. Nice as that was, I preferred a good opamp stage for its greater focus and detail. I like the AD845 a lot and it's stable, so that stayed after trying a few others. I am being sent a couple of Burson V7s for evaluation so maybe they will be better still.
I do have a JLSounds board which I haven't connected, no room in the Hammond 1550J case. I was thinking of connecting it as a USB to SPDIF converter in a separate case. Not the best use, but probably better than my present V/Link converter.
I also have the popular ChiFi AD1865 board with the ECC88 valve output. I haven't completed it yet but I'm in no rush because I like the sound from my PCM56 board. With the AD1865 board I would use the JLSounds as input. I'd start with a ECC40 I/V stage, I like that tube. But I'd then make an opamp I/V stage instead. The Miro crowd love the AD811 but that gets very hot and needs special attention. There's a good thread on that one.
This is turning into an interesting thread!
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Why the PCM63? The chips are very rare and that means the remaining ones may be of inferior quality. I think there are some work arounds where other chips are mounted on a PCM63 adapter.
There a plenty of genuine PCM56s because the chip was widely used in CD players. Availability of these multibit chips will get steadily worse and prices will go up and up. Best to build up some stock for future experiments while prices are not yet ridiculous.
There a plenty of genuine PCM56s because the chip was widely used in CD players. Availability of these multibit chips will get steadily worse and prices will go up and up. Best to build up some stock for future experiments while prices are not yet ridiculous.
I have some of those cheap boards. The board is voltage out on the PCM56 chip, which sounds a lot less good than the current output. To use the current output you have to cut pin 9. It then works and you can experiment with it. For a small amount more you can get the full PCM56 board I use where everything works and the chips are socketed ready for any replacements.
I've been using a dual PCM1794 dac but the version without the opamps or connectors. The dac outputs connect directly to my Sowter balanced to single ended I/V transformers. I have no issues with the sound quality.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004848385830.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004848385830.html
Guys, has the topic changed from excellent low-cost dacs, to absolute cheap-as-possible dacs?
Reason I ask is that even if you like a cheap-as-possible dac, it can definitely be made better sounding. Maybe a lot better sounding.
OTOH, making choices that lead to worse sound because of reasons like its more important how the case looks than how it sounds is the same mistake a lot of audiophiles make, including audiophiles who spend thousands of $$$ on their equipment.
Reason I ask is that even if you like a cheap-as-possible dac, it can definitely be made better sounding. Maybe a lot better sounding.
OTOH, making choices that lead to worse sound because of reasons like its more important how the case looks than how it sounds is the same mistake a lot of audiophiles make, including audiophiles who spend thousands of $$$ on their equipment.
The range of legacy multibit DACs will surely give you very good sound. Some are cheap, other chips are very rare and expensive. It's very niche but very satisfying. I certainly agree that good design with these chips elevates the quality a lot. There's some quite sophisticated upgrades on this long thread, even though the basic design is pretty simple.
Modern DAC designers use quite complex designs by comparison. Maybe that's where to look for "excellent". I would imagine that Chinese DACs will catch up in a few years, since they're typically a few years behind.
I also like dual pcm1794. I have diy mu follower 6n6p tube output stage
Also great upgrade powersupply.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/an-other-lm78xx-regulator.403825/page-3#post-7494937
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Yesterday, two of my OPA1611s just broke again. These weren't the first "Sound Plus" op amps to stop working for no apparent reason!
Yes although they were called the 9545 when I bought them several years ago
The Chinese don't have to catch up with anyone. They already make "excellent" stuff. It just doesn't have the OTT price tag.
Nice! I agree many of the chips already have a smooth sound and the tube amplification without much feedback doesn't cut it.
I am sorry to induce you in error, I retract what I said about pcm56 ( I never had it or listen carefully to any dac with it), What I had is the rare pcm53-Ks, which I ran through resistor iV I think of around 120R or 200 R then tube buffer,
Pcm53 would not ring at all in general, except at low end frequency, deep bass and upper bass would ring to lower bass which made everything sound with a great tuneful vibrating foundation.
Piano recordings always suffer , not on Pcm53, and the high were also detailed and not strident.
The TDA1541 doesn't ring at all and that is why it is the cleanest, it just pours delicacy in the mid, but the bass is thin and there is almost no deep bass, the high also lack luster.
In contrast, Delta sigma sounds detailed, extended and more natural at first sight, however one has to realize that it tends to shout at you or have this electronic sounds, it gives but it also take.
None of my DS devices do shout and as to electronic sounds I would hope so as I listen to electronic music.