Building with the Soekris dam1121

soekris · 2016-05-19 9:36 pm

This thread is for everybody to share designs, ideas and tips for building DAC's using the Soekris dam1121 R-2R Sign Magnitude DAC module.

The module is intended to be mounted with component side down on a main board with power supply, digital audio receivers and with the user interface. It can also easily be used with cabling, but note that the headers are 2mm pitch.

I have no plans to make main boards to carry the dam1121 module, but will be happy to assist anybody who want to make one, plenty of opportunities to make different ones, from simple stereo ones to high end balanced ones and with different buffer technology.

Info to start with:

The dam1121 product page, with a manual and example schematics for a balanced test board: www.soekris.dk/dam1121.html

schmike · 2016-05-20 3:16 am

can you explain more about the 1121 master clock in spec?
I don't want to use the SI570
can I direct pass the clock to DAM1121 by using the amanero(which is translated to LVDS differential clock)
thanks

TNT · 2016-05-20 4:46 am

Just ordered 2 so this seem relevant :-D

Will use them in balanced mode, each driving an nCore/SMPS600. DAM -> nCore 4cm cable. nCore -> speaker 30cm able. nCore/DAM in one and the same box.

Rest will be: SB Touch, Toslink optical splitter, 5 meter Toslink to each DAM. Death to analog cabling!

I will use this to power the DAM: 0.8uV Ultralow noise DAC power supply regulator 3.3/5/7V 1.5A*x2 - DIYINHK

I have 2 of these lying around - could be useful if the nCores like low impedance drive for some reason... : JG buffer - I2S over USB Audio powered by the 15v version of the above.

Remote attenuation remains to be solved. I think I could live with some funky long thin cables drawn behind the sofa with a double pot... at least initially.

I have high hopes for this topology.

//

TNT · 2016-05-20 4:53 am

If we ask questions, I think it would be more useful if you updated the manual instead of writing an answer here and instead, quote the question(s) and point again to the manual if a question indeed rendered an update.

//

kenneth_obee · 2016-05-20 5:03 am

TNT said:
If we ask questions, I think it would be more useful if you updated the manual instead of writing an answer here and instead, quote the question(s) and point again to the manual if a question indeed rendered an update.

//

That's very true!
Not only the 1121, for 1021, typical user would read the manual before ask.

soekris · 2016-05-20 11:45 am

schmike said:
can you explain more about the 1121 master clock in spec?
I don't want to use the SI570
can I direct pass the clock to DAM1121 by using the amanero(which is translated to LVDS differential clock)
thanks

For the FIFO to work the dam1121 must control the programmable clock oscillator, either the internal or external one, just like the dam1021.

soekris · 2016-05-20 11:49 am

I do intend to update the dam1121 manual as needed, will also update the dam1021 manual at some point....

normundss · 2016-05-20 1:26 pm

At what frequencies does the MCLK run for the 352/384 kHz sample rate families?

I guess normally the frequency is selected based on the incoming I2S/SPDIF sample rate.
Is it possible to switch the MCLK frequency externally? I'm thinking here about the possibility to have the I2S source on the mainboard and to drive it synchronously from the DAM MCLK.

schmike · 2016-05-20 1:29 pm

soekris said:
For the FIFO to work the dam1121 must control the programmable clock oscillator, either the internal or external one, just like the dam1021.

So,this is not real ext. clk
It only can change to SI570 ONLY

rickmcinnis · 2016-05-20 2:56 pm

Took a look at the manual and see the MODE parameter is not mentioned within the UMANAGER section.

I am sure it is still available in UMANAGER, just wanted you to know.

soekris · 2016-05-20 3:29 pm

rickmcinnis said:
Took a look at the manual and see the MODE parameter is not mentioned within the UMANAGER section.

I am sure it is still available in UMANAGER, just wanted you to know.

No, mode is set by hardware straps, see manual, on purpose so you don't have to config a board before use and then keep track of where it is located....

rickmcinnis · 2016-05-20 4:37 pm

I guess I should have been more specific.

I guess invert/normal is no longer a choice?

For the boards set for balanced operation this could be done with a switch but for those going single-ended this option is no longer available?

Sorry to see that. That would be enough to keep me with my existing board.

I know you are going to fret over the loss of that sale!!!

I should be grateful ...

Take care,

rredline · 2016-05-20 4:56 pm

Possible to integrate USB to UART IC (FTDI FT232 Series?) into the main board, if it exist?

soekris · 2016-05-20 9:38 pm

rickmcinnis said:
I guess I should have been more specific.

I guess invert/normal is no longer a choice?

For the boards set for balanced operation this could be done with a switch but for those going single-ended this option is no longer available?

Sorry to see that. That would be enough to keep me with my existing board.

I know you are going to fret over the loss of that sale!!!

I should be grateful ...

Take care,

If you look at the config page in the manual, you should notice that I'm not done filling out with modes....

formatcd3 · 2016-05-22 9:38 am

What type of shift register is used in dam1121? It is different from the one used in the dam1021 but I cannot see the markings on the published picture.

T129 · 2016-05-24 4:02 pm

Analog input?

Is there even a slight possibility of implementing volume control with a analog pot firmware-wise? Or are serial commands all we get?

I wish more manuals would be as thorough as the dam1121s.

formatcd3 · 2016-05-25 10:42 am

T129 said:
Is there even a slight possibility of implementing volume control with a analog pot firmware-wise? Or are serial commands all we get?

I wish more manuals would be as thorough as the dam1121s.

If it is relevant to what you are doing I have dam1021 with resistor based attenuator. Works very well in my set up.

TNT · 2016-05-25 11:17 am

Yes - please enable analog potentiometer level adjustment.

//

TNT · 2016-05-25 7:41 pm

Took delivery of 2 pcs. Small board

- now wait for the rest of the needed stuff.

//

schmike · 2016-05-25 11:49 pm

soekris said:
This thread is for everybody to share designs, ideas and tips for building DAC's using the Soekris dam1121 R-2R Sign Magnitude DAC module.

The module is intended to be mounted with component side down on a main board with power supply, digital audio receivers and with the user interface. It can also easily be used with cabling, but note that the headers are 2mm pitch.

I have no plans to make main boards to carry the dam1121 module, but will be happy to assist anybody who want to make one, plenty of opportunities to make different ones, from simple stereo ones to high end balanced ones and with different buffer technology.

Info to start with:

The dam1121 product page, with a manual and example schematics for a balanced test board: Soekris Engineering ApS, Products dam1121

Soren

Can you provide the schematic of the vref?
I want to know can I mod it.
thanzks

Building with the Soekris dam1121

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