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

After some back and forth I do think the input resistor (200r) does slightly improve dynamics, but even though its pretty benign there is slight distortion, and both basically have same character of the OPA1612. The trafo sounds good cos its a truly passive solution I guess.
Also I forgot that the the feedback caps were also removed when adding the input resistor, like a typical inverting amp. this could be effecting the sound too.

The frustrating part is that the trafo itself is probably adding more distortion than what is generated by the voltage on the DAC output, I would like to try high value IV resistor without any active stage or trafo but worried about damaging the DAC.
 
I have one to taste and a tons of wirewound fro Vishay but finally was happy enough with the Rohpoint and the LCR tin foil styren here. Though I really ask myself about the bulk Vishay Powertron : theorically should be better than the low wattage wirewound... but mine is good enough. You found better the RN65 than the noiser Allen B. that has some "tonal" quality ?


Edit : in the post above I talked for the serie he uses with opa to swap the MOX if I understood correctly what was said (no i/v purpose)
 
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Getting closer.......
I populated all of the components around the opamps underneath the board to reduce the “clutter” topside. And flipped C27 & C32 for correct polarity.
 

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Good news Miro and All!
DAC board powered up without any drama. Psu’s are trimmed to feed +/-12vdc and +/-5vdc.
DC offset 1mV with OPA134pa installed
DC offset 30mV with Burson discrete opamps installed
I will feed an I2S signal tomorrow and check for first sound.
Fingers crossed 😉
 

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updated schematic and PCB ... C27, C32 rotated correctly 😱

Hello Miro,

i want to try your dac, never heard ad1862. I have tda1541, pcm1702, pcm1704.. and some sigma delta akms dacs that have been testing for about 2 years

dacs i own/heard:
tda 1541a, valve output / diamond buffer
pcm 1702 classic opamp iv
pcm 1704 opa 861 iv
ad 1865 audio note clone valve output
tda 1543 passive iv
soekris dam

sigma deltas:
ak4396 valve output
ak4495 opamp or output trafo
ak4493 opamp or output trafo (several boards)
ak4497 opamp or output trafo
cirrus 4397 opamp or output trafo.

i like the most pcm1702 and tda1541a.

are your files correct?? just send to jlpcb to print???

Best regards
Nuno
 
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Hello Miro,

i want to try your dac, never heard ad1862. I have tda1541, pcm1702, pcm1704.. and some sigma delta akms dacs that have been testing for about 2 years

dacs i own/heard:
tda 1541a, valve output / diamond buffer
pcm 1702 classic opamp iv
pcm 1704 opa 861 iv
ad 1865 audio note clone valve output
tda 1543 passive iv
soekris dam

sigma deltas:
ak4396 valve output
ak4495 opamp or output trafo
ak4493 opamp or output trafo (several boards)
ak4497 opamp or output trafo
cirrus 4397 opamp or output trafo.

i like the most pcm1702 and tda1541a.

are your files correct?? just send to jlpcb to print???

Best regards
Nuno

pcm 1702 classic opamp iv? Which design? Link?
 
@Pistolerro,


have you not a lisbona 's friend that own an aya dac as well ? Your id is telling me something but didn't remember where ??

Anyway, if the chips are good, the design, the powersupply, you will not be disapointed by the sound of it and it will swap the pcm 1702 in your short list with the tda1541 side to side, this last is harder to work with to extract the best.


that's a very good list of dac chips you have, the Cirrus is a collector and disearve if Ebay kitchen dac you make pcbs for them .


Could you please rate your dac devices list in order of liking for us please as you have a pretty collection ? What tube used for the tda 1541 ?
 
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@ Vunce,


Coooool ! The TSA ldo is singing diferently according the main caps of th power supply before him and it can be a great way to improve or tune to your liking the tonal of the sound 🙂. I like this ldo better than some lower noise chips even for the I2S front end!



Btw the little blue caps of the main PS board are Philips MKT (very spcial those ones) or Cornel Dublier or something else ?


Damned my chips were sent from China but without tracking number, fingers crossed !
 
Good eyes Diyiggy!!
The main power supply is based on LM317/337 regulators with a CRC/reg/CLC configuration for the +/-12vdc. The unregulated output feeds the TPS LDO for the +/-5vdc supply.
I’ve got another very compact psu solution I’m working on, waiting for the parts to arrive though.

Cheers!