The D1 has long been out of production, but I have only ever read wonderful things about it. I'm curious if there have been any recent DIY attempts, or even commercial product, that get one in the ballpark of the D1? I know there is the Zen I/V converter which gets to part of the equation, but building a DAC around that is way, WAY beyond my abilities.
If you're prepared to DIY then yes.
I think Jam is really motivated to put together a DAC, I will be annoying him where ever possible to do a good job of it.
I think Jam is really motivated to put together a DAC, I will be annoying him where ever possible to do a good job of it.
The closest thing you could buy off the shelf that would be as musically enjoyable would be something like a DCS Bartok DAC.
Not cheap though
Not cheap though
No idea if it's the same class as the D1, but if you can build the Zen I/V section, there's this to feed it: DAC AD1862: Almost THT, I2S input, NOS, R-2R
I think you're onto something. I like that the DAC is primarily through-hole too. Thanks for sharing this!
Any recs on what the best modern day replacement for the PCM63 would be? Perhaps finding a DAC in that lineage and putting the Zen I/V behind it would get me close to a D1.
The AKM chips seem good, I can't remember if they are current out or voltage out.
Just check it.
Just check it.
Looks like they have one that has an output buffer, and the rest are current output. I'll dig into those. Thanks for the suggestion!
R-2R based dacs definitely sound naturally and much more pleasant than delta sigma
I have heard pcm63, pcm1704, pcm1794, ess9023, cs4397
I am very curious to hear a good newer r-2r dac - Is Soekris a recomended to try
does anyone tried R 013 Denafrips ARES II 32Bit/1536kHz 24Bit R2R + 6BIT DSD Balanced Resistance DAC Support DSD1024 SPDIF Receiving Scheme|Digital-to-Analog Converter| - AliExpress
I have heard pcm63, pcm1704, pcm1794, ess9023, cs4397
I am very curious to hear a good newer r-2r dac - Is Soekris a recomended to try
does anyone tried R 013 Denafrips ARES II 32Bit/1536kHz 24Bit R2R + 6BIT DSD Balanced Resistance DAC Support DSD1024 SPDIF Receiving Scheme|Digital-to-Analog Converter| - AliExpress
Samoloko, if I don’t end up building a DIY D1-style implementation (thinking NOS R-2R > Zen I/V), the Soekris and Aries II are at the top of my list for sure. Perhaps the best of both would be the DIY implementation of the Soekris. I hadn’t heard of Metrum, looking into those now!
I also find the Chord DACs intriguing, with their custom FPGA implementation doing the conversion instead of an off-the-shelf DAC chip.
Hi Codyt,
Are you looking for something similar to the D1 architecture to DIY? Or an already completed commercial purchase?
Are you looking for something similar to the D1 architecture to DIY? Or an already completed commercial purchase?
Hey. My initial thought was DIY. That said, my lack of experience in that area has me towing the line between DIY and commercial. Short answer would either 🙂 Actually, the very top of my list would be to just get a D1, but that's an unlikely scenario.
dunno
two possible scenarios - "full" DIY - kit in more or less assebled state, or purchasing something cheapo as finished unit, then go wild with it
first - Soekris, or A NOS 192/24 DAC with the PCM1794 (and WaveIO USB input) or ........
second - Topping D10, if USB is all you need, then take bigger case and dismantle it in , add whatever to your liking
two possible scenarios - "full" DIY - kit in more or less assebled state, or purchasing something cheapo as finished unit, then go wild with it
first - Soekris, or A NOS 192/24 DAC with the PCM1794 (and WaveIO USB input) or ........
second - Topping D10, if USB is all you need, then take bigger case and dismantle it in , add whatever to your liking