To adjust something obviously like MSB but that is guessing. It really is better to ask the seller as at least he/she has contact with the guys that developed this device. Never touch stuff if the function is unknown or if it will be difficult to re-adjust. Aliexpress has relocated its support department to diyaudio.com so as a consequence you'll get many opinions.
Please don't expect miracles from Aliexpress devices. They are cheap and you'll never know where the parts came from or if the design is OK and well executed. You'll get what you pay for. With for instance a Soekris or similar devices you'll get quality AND support.
Please don't expect miracles from Aliexpress devices. They are cheap and you'll never know where the parts came from or if the design is OK and well executed. You'll get what you pay for. With for instance a Soekris or similar devices you'll get quality AND support.
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This is a clean looking design and fabrication of a differential R2R ladder. It does I2S in. Tick. No DSD. Tick
The trim pots suggest MSB adjustment for better performance. Tick. The trim appears to be glued. Hopefully they were adjusted on a scope and glued at the best performance. Or maybe not.
Its just 150USD with a 75day return. Good luck.
The trim pots suggest MSB adjustment for better performance. Tick. The trim appears to be glued. Hopefully they were adjusted on a scope and glued at the best performance. Or maybe not.
Its just 150USD with a 75day return. Good luck.
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I don't understand how sound quality can be evaluated by watching a Youtube video. Should it be watched on a smart phone as well?
Good tip. So I use my ears to listen to a DAC via an amplifier playing back via loudspeakers that is recorded with a smartphone and digitized with an internal ADC, then uploaded to Youtube (probably compressed). I play it back via Youtube on a pc with onboard audio and pc speakers and then I can judge the sound quality of that DAC?
If SMPS are judged the same way I now understand their popularity.
It's even more difficult to sound good using a smart phone or mic . Noise and flaw get recorded and attunuated.
No audio equipment is truly transparent.. You just have to get used to your equipment and exercise judgment.... Just try record using your smart phone and compare slowly with a earpiece or even the phone speakers. Slowly you can trust your ears..
Anthony - thanks for sharing your progress with your very affordable and easy R2R Chinese DAC.
Can i ask some questions please?
Can i ask some questions please?
- how does it sound to you compared to the Pontus?
- how do you feed it I2S and whats the maximum sample rate you can do?
1. Pontus is more smooth and quiet.. The plus of diy is its15v plus minus supply while pontus is 7.5v plus minus. So diy more dynamic, bold and big .. But slightly more jittery less clean. Overall acceptable. I personally think pontus is a bit dead. Over damping and over filtered lacks a bit of juice. So its up to diyer to try what works I guess. Musical wise both do well.
2. I use an acrylic streamer . Inject straight i2s 4 wire. Using tidal. So its 16bit 44hz.i haven't tried others. I bought a a src4912 to try reclock and isolate let's see it improve things.
Most welcome.. It's afterall diy. Should share and hope someone can find some fun especially amist conditions like this.
2. I use an acrylic streamer . Inject straight i2s 4 wire. Using tidal. So its 16bit 44hz.i haven't tried others. I bought a a src4912 to try reclock and isolate let's see it improve things.
Most welcome.. It's afterall diy. Should share and hope someone can find some fun especially amist conditions like this.
Thanks for sharing. Being able to compare with the Pontus is very useful.
I think your R2R might sound different with a different source?
A clean I2S that allows higher sample rates might
Do you have a Pi or laptop for a running a different budget I2S source?
I think your R2R might sound different with a different source?
A clean I2S that allows higher sample rates might
- allow better upsampling - Ive heard upsampling do nothing and make noticeable improvements. It all depends on the filters. Foobar has some excellent options.
- clean I2S might keep noise out of the DAC and maybe improve jitter
Do you have a Pi or laptop for a running a different budget I2S source?
I think the best reasonable one is allo kali. I2s is less problematic and transparent than USB. Depends on implementation. I do have allo usbridge and tried the coax ones as well. They are great. Just pricy.
I personally don't quite like pc style.. I think sbc or low power streaming units have better results and also alot cheaper. In short, lower power and lower speed. Less distortion.
Resolution... Ah.. Long subject lol. Above all important thing is quality recordings.higher sampling helps especially at higher volume in my experience. Well, I we must manage compromises...
I personally don't quite like pc style.. I think sbc or low power streaming units have better results and also alot cheaper. In short, lower power and lower speed. Less distortion.
Resolution... Ah.. Long subject lol. Above all important thing is quality recordings.higher sampling helps especially at higher volume in my experience. Well, I we must manage compromises...
The Allo Kali looks good.
iancanada also does a Pi hat with I2S out. For less the 100bucks it seems like a good option too?
With your NOS R2R you may well find the ability to oversample 44.1/16 with one of the great Foobar filters produces a marked change. In some systems its like getting a new and better DAC or preamp. Its much more then just a higher sample rate. The best filters can make a marked difference.
iancanada also does a Pi hat with I2S out. For less the 100bucks it seems like a good option too?
With your NOS R2R you may well find the ability to oversample 44.1/16 with one of the great Foobar filters produces a marked change. In some systems its like getting a new and better DAC or preamp. Its much more then just a higher sample rate. The best filters can make a marked difference.
Looks good. Hope to try Ian stuff some days
If your into software resampling and filter. The signalist dsc2.5.2 ladder r2r seem interesting
If your into software resampling and filter. The signalist dsc2.5.2 ladder r2r seem interesting