How I built a High Quality DAC($146)...
cheaply and at the quickest time, total price about US$146. This has been done before I am not the first person doing it. I like to share with you my findings.
I use the readily available components available on the net or Ebay. I have used many DACs over the years incl. Burr Brown, Cirrcus, Wolfson, 1955, and now AK4396 chipset, the last one is the most satisfying. The end result beats all the other DACs I have and this is a worthwhile exercise.This is how I do it,
1. XMOS, USB to I2S interface card, $59, you can get form Ebay or from DIYinHK.com.
2. Made-up DAC based on AK4396 chipset, from Ebay, there are a no., of suppliers, I bought one a fully made one with transformer and casing for $87. A typical one is
Finished 2496 AK4396 CS8416 DAC With R Core Transformer Case 115V OR 230V | eBay
I remove one side of the 4 resistors that are connected to the AK4396, lift them up to one side, One end of the ribbon cable connected to the XMOS I2S interface as shown below, and then the other ends (4 wires) connected to the 4 resistors, plus a ground wire. Anyone interested I will supply details.
There you are a very good sounding DAC at very cheap price, it sounds much better than the following:
1. Using CM6631 connect using SPDIF to the same DAC
OR
2. Using TE7022 also connected via the SPDIF.
For those who want the maximum benefits should change some of the components e.g. capacitors, opamps that come with it. Go to this thread for details,
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digi...2496-ak4393-dac-kit-cs8416-ak4393-5532-a.html
By doing so it will take you to the next sonic level.
The AK4396 DAC output I connect a TUBE buffer which you can get it here,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tube-6N3-Buffer-Amp-Audio-Preamplifier-Pre-AMP-Kit-For-
DIY-/370893330462?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item565af7181e
cheap and sounds good as it is but I did modify it to suit my taste.
From the attachment, the Xmos card is left outside for testing, it is small enough I will later mount inside the enclosure.
Cheers...
cheaply and at the quickest time, total price about US$146. This has been done before I am not the first person doing it. I like to share with you my findings.
I use the readily available components available on the net or Ebay. I have used many DACs over the years incl. Burr Brown, Cirrcus, Wolfson, 1955, and now AK4396 chipset, the last one is the most satisfying. The end result beats all the other DACs I have and this is a worthwhile exercise.This is how I do it,
1. XMOS, USB to I2S interface card, $59, you can get form Ebay or from DIYinHK.com.
2. Made-up DAC based on AK4396 chipset, from Ebay, there are a no., of suppliers, I bought one a fully made one with transformer and casing for $87. A typical one is
Finished 2496 AK4396 CS8416 DAC With R Core Transformer Case 115V OR 230V | eBay
I remove one side of the 4 resistors that are connected to the AK4396, lift them up to one side, One end of the ribbon cable connected to the XMOS I2S interface as shown below, and then the other ends (4 wires) connected to the 4 resistors, plus a ground wire. Anyone interested I will supply details.
There you are a very good sounding DAC at very cheap price, it sounds much better than the following:
1. Using CM6631 connect using SPDIF to the same DAC
OR
2. Using TE7022 also connected via the SPDIF.
For those who want the maximum benefits should change some of the components e.g. capacitors, opamps that come with it. Go to this thread for details,
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digi...2496-ak4393-dac-kit-cs8416-ak4393-5532-a.html
By doing so it will take you to the next sonic level.
The AK4396 DAC output I connect a TUBE buffer which you can get it here,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tube-6N3-Buffer-Amp-Audio-Preamplifier-Pre-AMP-Kit-For-
DIY-/370893330462?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item565af7181e
cheap and sounds good as it is but I did modify it to suit my taste.
From the attachment, the Xmos card is left outside for testing, it is small enough I will later mount inside the enclosure.
Cheers...
Attachments
I'd be interested to know if/how you could adapt this design to accept 3 inputs, USB, S/Pdif and Toslink as it's something I need to do in my amp.
Also could it be powered via USB?
Also could it be powered via USB?
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