DAC AD1862: Almost THT, I2S input, NOS, R-2R

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@jimk04 got the CEN boards working fine, they are very good indeed. Immediate improvement on the op-amps, Cheers mate, also to @woodturner-fran for the help. Good lads 👍

Here they are hooked up to the PCM63 DAC, more Whack than DAC right now but it sounds very good.

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Good to see them pressed into operation, best of luck with the build.

FYI I have 6x stereo sets of those boards still here at the same GB cost as before, although postage has gone up a bit.
 
I have an AK4495 in balanced mode with a third order discrete Sallen Key.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...crescendo-ii-ak4495-dv20a.285630/post-5487214
It is also very nice sounding.

To brush off all sigma delta is, for me, a bit too generalised.
But of course, everyone has his own taste and is entitled to his own opinion.


Cheers,
Patrick
This AK has 4 digital filters, which filter do you like most? I switched between them and somehow I couldn't figure out one. Good is, that it has external filter option so you can program own filter 🤣
I had this DAC plugged in and a friend came to visit me and after a while he spontaneously told me that my audio system doesn't sound as nice as the last time he was here (AD1865) :scratch2:
 
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This AK has 4 digital filters, which filter do you like most?

If I remember correctly :
mpslr.jpg



Patrick
 
The above applies to all listening comparisons although IMO ABx is not necessary. Level matching and removal of any visual cues is sufficient. Lack of possibility for proper AB testing makes most of listening tests of "before vs. after" mods (e.g. op amp swapping) rather pointless.
 
"Digital filter fatique" described by poor guy Fluffy ... but no solution for him, he should visit this thread :rofl:
When you start listening to music on DACs without digital filter, the relief is priceless :hphones: ... but yeah, how could an old 14-Bit 48kHz TDA1540 compete with a super modern 32-Bit 768kHz device :faint:
 

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So to build AD1862 I need:
  1. Pair of chips from safe hands
  2. Dac board. Subject to output stage - if I opt for a discrete- should I order no I/V version? (post 7031).
  3. PSU 2 or Mark Johnson or other.
  4. USB Input: buy off the shelf. , JLSounds I2SoverUSB v.III( not sure what shift registers mean)? Which one is the best now?
  5. Post filter- how important is this?
  6. In terms of the I/V stage- woodturner-fran (post 2079) is a good indicator of what is possible. I would be happy with any of the mentioned, but if it is within my capabilities- add tubes. EUVL is praised too. Advice here is much appreciated.

Thanks all 🙂
 
  1. In terms of the I/V stage- woodturner-fran (post 2079) is a good indicator of what is possible. I would be happy with any of the mentioned, but if it is within my capabilities- add tubes. EUVL is praised too. Advice here is much appreciated.

I think that list is pretty old at this point - for example, it predates the FC CEN IV mentioned a few posts back and I think the list is wider now as well. Most of my friends in that group have ended up with either FC CEN IV or the 3a5 output stage.
 
So to build AD1862 I need:
  1. Dac board. Subject to output stage - if I opt for a discrete- should I order no I/V version? (post 7031).
Just a suggestion ..... get a board with op amp IV stage. Do up everything, test for it to be working using the convenience of the op amp on the board.... and then choose your own adventure after that.