pcm1704 outboard dac

[mermoz]

Hi
I'm new in diy audio and I consider to acquire an df1704 + pcm1704 based outboard dac such as David Broadhurst diy dac http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/galaxy/6623/24bitdac.html
or Hoontech DAC II http://www.hoontech.com/english/products/standalone/dac2.html# priced at $350 for a fineshed dac.
I know this is not diy but the price is like and I am not a experimented DIYler !
Have some one tried out this dacs and especialy the Hoontech.
What can I expect from this device ?
It is based on cs8414 + df1704 + pcm1704 + opa627. Are this parts synonyme for excellent sound quality ?
mesurements are (see web page):
OPA627 (L CH)
0.0000145V(-96dB)
0.0000142V(-96dB)
?
are this value not a bit low, other producers rate their device with much higher values (-110 - -120 db) ?

thanks a lot for your help

 

[Peter Daniel]

I've built Broadhurst DAC and I am extremally happy with it. Hoontech DAC looks OK, but it doesn't seem to have the usual refinements which escalate the performance to higher level.

In my DAC I used 8 separate split bobbin transformers, a lot of quality electrolytics, separate regulators for ea. cheap (ea DAC separate digital and analog supply), better crystal, parallel DACs (Hoontech is using balanced DACs, but if you are not using balanced output the advantae is lost). The sound I achieved is truly great.

Of course it all involves a lot of work, and if you are not much experienced, maybe the better option would be getting an assembled DAC. The components are good.

But if you want the best and are willing to tweak, build your own.

See picture here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=57564#post57564

 

[mermoz]

I would like to build David Broadhurst dac but I have not became any answer from email @ posted on his web site.
So I have nor the schematics nor the PCBs or PCBs layout.
Does any one know if David is continuing selling the PCBs for his DAC ?
Peter or some one else, could you help me for getting the schematics and the PCB layout for David’s or a similar dac ?

 

[Peter Daniel]

I guess, the PCB or layout you can only get from Dave. He just made a post today in the other thread.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=57691#post57691

 

[mermoz]

Thank you Peter, I have email him my request for the PCBs.