Pass D1 DAC question

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Hello,

I try to build the PassLabs D1 output stage for an PCM1794 DAC. I searched in the old forum threads, but could not find clear answers to my questions... I hope, that someone can help me.

The original circuit is designed for the PCM63 chip, whose current output is +/-2mA. The current output of the PCM1794 is 7.8mA PP. So the output of the D1 in combination with the PCM1794 chip is much to loud. As an solution i would like to reduce the gain of the D1 stage. I read that the gain of this stage is set by the two resistors R27/R34 which are 1K5. To lower the gain i lowered these resistors to 100R, which gives me still to much gain.

So my first question is: how low can I go for R27/R34 without any drawbacks? For example: do i have to change the values of R26/R33 also to avoid that the current through Q3/Q6 is getting higher?

And i found that the resistors R27/R34 form an low pass filter with C15/C16 0.0027uF. This filter has to be recalculated if R27/R34 are changed. If I feed an lowpass-filter-calculator with the values, i find the cut-off frequency at about 40KHz. And vice versa for R27/R34 at 100R, C15/C16 should be 0.04uF to reach cut-off at 40KHz.

My second question: can anyone confirm my calculations?

Thank you for your suggestions and help!

Regards,
Michael

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I read that the gain of this stage is set by the two resistors R27/R34 which are 1K5. To lower the gain i lowered these resistors to 100R, which gives me still to much gain.

So my first question is: how low can I go for R27/R34 without any drawbacks? For example: do i have to change the values of R26/R33 also to avoid that the current through Q3/Q6 is getting higher?

I can't see any drawback to reducing R27/34 as low as you need to go to get the amount of gain that suits you. No need to change R26/33 unless you want to reduce them to run the MOSFETs at higher bias (and hence get more gm).

And i found that the resistors R27/R34 form an low pass filter with C15/C16 0.0027uF. This filter has to be recalculated if R27/R34 are changed. If I feed an lowpass-filter-calculator with the values, i find the cut-off frequency at about 40KHz. And vice versa for R27/R34 at 100R, C15/C16 should be 0.04uF to reach cut-off at 40KHz.

My second question: can anyone confirm my calculations?

They seem fine to me.
 
Hello Pierre, hello abraxalito,


thanks for your answers. I'm glad, that my thoughts and calculations go in the right direction...



I read the thread of the link you sent me, Pierre. There is one thing i don't understand. What do you mean with: "I could not trim the output voltage to 1.65 V without reducing R24, R31 from 100 K to 68 K." What is this output voltage?


Do I get you right, that if lowering R27/R34 it has only an effect of the gain, not the bias, and that i correct C15/C16 accordingly? That would be easy to accomplish....


And if I would like to increase the bias, i lower the value of R26/R33 and change the C40/C55 values accordingly.


Thank you in advance!


The picture below is the prototype stage in an banana box. Sounds great!
 

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If I recall correctly they do form another low pass filter, this one at the input of the I/V concerter. This is in addition to the low pass filter at the output of the I/V. They have different cutoff frequencies. This is simple and elegant.

If you want to throw away some gain, have you considered simply shunting VOL+ and VOL-? You can start with say 500 ohm and adjust from there.

The reason I changed the four resistor values was because the ESS chip outputs four times the current of the PCM63 and this was getting close to the 9 mA bias current going through the MOSFETs in the stock circuit. So I tripled the bias current to be safe.
 
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Yes, I was thinking about putting an resistor or pot between +/- Vol, but didn't like the idea. After some tests and measurements I ended up with 400R for R27/34 and 0.01uF for C15/16. Bias is still in the range of the original construction and the changes do not effect the sounds (as far as i can hear...).


Thank you very much for your help!


Michael
 
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