Recommendation for a DAC board on a budget

[47688]

Hey guys,

I would like to stream music from my Linux machine to a power amplifier (LM1876, 2 x 30 watt, no pre-amp) and currently consider different DAC boards that ideally should not break the bank.

There seems to be a huge variety of different chipsets, which is a bit overwhelming:

Aliexpress.com : Buy Lusya TDA1315T Audio DAC optical fiber coaxial analog audio decoder board DC6V 12V F6 002 from Reliable Digital-to-Analog Converter suppliers on LusyaTechnology Store

Aliexpress.com : Buy Lusya without USB daughter card AK4490 + AK4118 four channel input DAC decoder board With fiber coaxial USB T0372 from Reliable Amplifier suppliers on LusyaTechnology Store

Aliexpress.com : Buy Lusya ES9038 Q2M I2S DSD Decoder Coaxial Fiber input DAC decoding board For hifi amplifier audio F7 003 from Reliable Digital-to-Analog Converter suppliers on LusyaTechnology Store


I would like to control overall volume via the DAC.

Is there a quality difference of USB vs Coaxial vs Optical input?


Thanks for your advice. 🙂

 

[abraxalito]

Connecting a PC as source to a power amp I'd look initially for isolation from the common-mode noise generated by the PC's switching power supply. Hence optical (Toslink) would be my first choice, coaxial (isolated by transformer) would come next.

 

[47688]

Thanks for your feedback @abraxalito.

Can you make a recommendation regarding the chipset for a DAC board?

 

[abraxalito]

If I was buying I'd go for the AK4490 out of the 3 on offer here, but do please bear in mind the vast majority of the SQ of a DAC comes from the implementation (power supplies in the main) not the chip itself.

 

[47688]

I am open to other board suggestions if anyone has a great idea but that one is currently also my favorite out of the 3... 😉

Are you referring to the power supply of the power amp or the suggested power source for the DAC (AC9V or DC12V 15W in the case of the AK4490)? The idea is to use separate power sources or what would be the best solution?

Also, this particular model seems to have a potentiometer, but I think it used to control only the input source.

So how would you control the overall system volume via the DAC?

 

[Markw4]

There seems to be a huge variety of different chipsets, which is a bit overwhelming:

The ES9038Q2M dac you linked to is a poor choice, one of the worst, IMHO. The following one would be much better: ES9038Q2M I2S/DSD/DOP/волокна/Coax доска декодер цифровой аудио PCM44 регулятор громкости купить на AliExpress


Problem with using an AKM dac over TOSLINK is clock jitter. If the board had AKM's AK4137 to resample the TOSLINK clocking, then it might be a good choice, but the board doesn't have that.

The weak point of the ES9038Q2M dac I linked to is the output stage. The 3.3v power voltage regulator is poor too. There is always something wrong with cheap dac boards, just a fact of life.

 

[abraxalito]

I am open to other board suggestions if anyone has a great idea but that one is currently also my favorite out of the 3... 😉

My own suggestion would be to go for one of my own designed DACs. But then you'd have to build it yourself (barring persuading another DIYer to do that for you). See this thread : lingDAC - cost effective RBCD multibit DAC design You'd need to supplement the PhiDAC (easier to build than lingDAC) with an additional interface board ( Toslink in, I2S out) and a power supply brick, both of which can be obtained fairly cheaply on Taobao (and I'd guess, Ebay).

The reason I suggest a multibit board is they're less jitter sensitive than the mainstream S-D DACs. All the boards you've linked are the S-D variety. With less susceptibility to jitter you need worry less about using Toslink.

Are you referring to the power supply of the power amp or the suggested power source for the DAC (AC9V or DC12V 15W in the case of the AK4490)? The idea is to use separate power sources or what would be the best solution?

I was referring to the impedance of the power rails at the DAC chip and subsequent analog stages. External power supplies can make a difference when they're switching supplies as those introduce common-mode noise. Best use linear supplies i.e. ones with old-style heavy mains transformers inside. Incidentally, if you want to tweak your power amp for better sound, the lowest hanging fruit in my experience has always been the power supplies.

So how would you control the overall system volume via the DAC?

I'd use digital volume on the computer.

 

[47688]

Thanks for your feedback and I will check out your diy DAC plans. However, I am not sure if I will have the time and patience to built a DAC circuit completely from scratch.

What do you think about the following ready-built "boxed" versions?

NEW FX AUDIO DAC X6 MINI HiFi 2.0 Digital Audio Decoder DAC Input USB/Coaxial/Optical Output RCA/ Amplifier 24Bit/96KHz DC12V-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

2019 NEW TOPPING D10 MINI USB DAC CSS XMOS XU208 ES9018K2M OPA2134 audio amplifier Decoder-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Latest HIFI Audio CM6631A Digital interface 32 / 24Bit 192K Sound Card USB to I2S IIS/ SPDIF Optical Coaxial Output Decoder DAC-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

NEW TOPPING D30 DSD Audio Decoder USB DAC Coaxial Optical Fiber XMOS CS4398 24Bit 192KHz amplifier-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

SMSL Sanskrit 6th MINI HiFi Audio USB DAC Digital to Analog Converter 32BIT/192Khz USB Optical Coaxial Input Audio Amplifier -in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bre...tical-USB-input-RCA-output/1000004530408.html

 

[invaderzim]

The topping D10 and D30 are both pretty highly rated. I don't know where you are located but I'd recommend if going with either of those and in the US buying form somewhere like parts-express as they will stand behind them rather than you having to send it back to China if there is an issue.

Schiit has b-stock of their new Modi3 available for $89
Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

 

[47688]

After a bit of reading, I am trying to decide between the Topping D10 and D30.

Has anyone tested those DACs side by side?

What I don't like about the D10 is that it is limited to the USB input which is also used for power supply. The D30, on the other hand, has all common connectors and a dedicated power supply.

However, while the sound of the D30 seems to be more detailed, I read some user reviews that found the D10 sound more comfortable especially with headphones.

I am getting deeper into the rabbit hole... 😉

 

[phase]

Nowadays I budget around $200 for dac components starting with an assembled board, free or very low cost case.

If I’m not ready to do that, then the laptop isn’t all that bad until my budget is in better shape.


I’m now using this board, with most of the capacitors having been gradually replaced, discrete op amp.

HIFI AK4495SEQ+AD827 XMOS U8 USB Decode DAC board support 32BIT 768K DIY Audio 926319275512 | eBay

 

[PKI]

I absolutely like these boards if you are on the budget. Measures really good and shipping was very fast.
Shop Tone Board | Amazing Khadas, Always Amazes You!

 

[diyiggy]

Perhaps on topic, more or less the same question, here what the best money can buy with 100 USD : Will Voltage-Out DACs Ever Be Good, Like Current-Out DACs?


@ Abraxalito : do yo think these brands with cheap prices (SMl, FIIXO, etc) can put a good layout and good parts (TI, CS, AK, ESS, etc with less than 100 USD ? We often see good TI oaps and top dac chips in them !!!

 

[abraxalito]

Certainly all these cheap brands put out product which has impressive numbers. I still doubt they'd satisfy my listening tastes though. For example another DIYer sent me one of his unboxed Topping DACs - can't clearly recall which, probably DX3 Pro. I had a listen, did some mods (to power supplies and opamps) but still the SQ didn't satisfy. That's a >$100 DAC I think.

Top chips don't automatically make for a top-level listening experience.

 

[eljoantonyn]

I would also recommend Schiit Modi. If you are into DIY, please checkout Abraxalito's Phi DAC.

 

[eljoantonyn]

One more recommendation I have is the S-Dac from Massdrop (now just "Drop").

 

[ricyuyc]

384kHz/32Bit PCM5102A DAC, I2S input, 4uV Low Noise Regulator
384kHz/32Bit PCM5102A DAC, I2S input, 4uV Low Noise Regulator - DIYINHK

 

[matthiasw]

I absolutely like these boards if you are on the budget. Measures really good and shipping was very fast.
Shop Tone Board | Amazing Khadas, Always Amazes You!

I can recommend the Khadas as well.

Matt

 

[zacster]

Did you consider going wifi? A Raspberry Pi with an Allo Boss DAC would isolate all the PC noise by not being attached. The RPI itself can be isolated by cutting one trace and using separate power supplies for the Pi and the Boss, or I have it all powered by battery. Running Volumio or other software on the RPI will support UPnP and Airplay.

 

[chermann]

Thanks for your feedback and I will check out your diy DAC plans. However, I am not sure if I will have the time and patience to built a DAC circuit completely from scratch.

What do you think about the following ready-built "boxed" versions?



Latest HIFI Audio CM6631A Digital interface 32 / 24Bit 192K Sound Card USB to I2S IIS/ SPDIF Optical Coaxial Output Decoder DAC-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
l]

yes this cheap DAC is really nice and worse a try for DIY. i got a hint by abrx "just for convert spdif/usb" but its a really nice sounding dac after modding and do it "right"
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/334312-cm6631a-es9023-cheap-board-modification-12.html#post5788973


chris