Just build the AD1862. After that delta-sigma becomes harder to listen
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
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Has anyone got chips and/or the board?@voxxonline Just build the AD1862. After that delta-sigma becomes harder to listen![]()
@voxxonline,
I have PCB for ad1862n/I2SoverUSB,PSU2 PCB and chip with affordable price.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/ad1862n.414653/
I have PCB for ad1862n/I2SoverUSB,PSU2 PCB and chip with affordable price.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/ad1862n.414653/
@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.
View attachment 1329278
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.
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 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
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)

Which device using AKM dac did you listen to? Don't you think implementation has some influence in DS dacs as well?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)
@bohrok2610 It was custom made dual mono (not by me, I bought it from local bazar). It can have influence for sure, but the influence of digital filters is very significant. The only filters I like so far are from cirrus, like in CS4398, but still not better for me than zero filters with AD1862 🙂
This AK has 4 digital filters, which filter do you like most?
If I remember correctly :
Patrick
And the only way to compare two compatible audio equipment properly is an ABx test on the fly.
This version for power amps or speakers.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/hiraga-le-monstre-2024.413301/post-7695899
Patrick
This version for power amps or speakers.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/hiraga-le-monstre-2024.413301/post-7695899
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.
For this purpose I use simple rotary switch built in a small box with connectors. I can switch between 3 dacs/preamps to 1 amp ...... or 1 dac/preamp to 3 amps 🙂And the only way to compare two compatible audio equipment properly is an ABx test on the fly.
This version for power amps or speakers.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/hiraga-le-monstre-2024.413301/post-7695899
Patrick
At least I have found, having musicians friends not hifi intoxicaed, to be fine enough if you ask them listening your devices variations w/o showing them the devices to shortcutcut the eyes dictate with its habits shortcutcuts.
Attachments
"Digital filter fatique" described by poor guy Fluffy ... but no solution for him, he should visit this thread 
When you start listening to music on DACs without digital filter, the relief is priceless
... but yeah, how could an old 14-Bit 48kHz TDA1540 compete with a super modern 32-Bit 768kHz device 

When you start listening to music on DACs without digital filter, the relief is priceless


Attachments
So to build AD1862 I need:
Thanks all 🙂
- Pair of chips from safe hands
- Dac board. Subject to output stage - if I opt for a discrete- should I order no I/V version? (post 7031).
- PSU 2 or Mark Johnson or other.
- USB Input: buy off the shelf. , JLSounds I2SoverUSB v.III( not sure what shift registers mean)? Which one is the best now?
- Post filter- how important is this?
- 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 🙂
- 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.
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.So to build AD1862 I need:
- Dac board. Subject to output stage - if I opt for a discrete- should I order no I/V version? (post 7031).
- Home
- Source & Line
- Digital Line Level
- DAC AD1862: Almost THT, I2S input, NOS, R-2R