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"Reference" TDA1541A DAC with I2S-BUS architecture

Surface Finish for future PCB´s

  • ENIG - Electroless Nickle/Immersion Gold

    Votes: 93 48.7%

  • Immersion Silver

    Votes: 54 28.3%

  • Immersion Tin

    Votes: 24 12.6%

  • OSP - Organic Solderability Preservatives

    Votes: 20 10.5%
  • Total voters
    191
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#442
Hi, I got my working today, I'm struggling with DEM re-clocking, it takes few seconds to sync. I'm playing with different frequency, right now I'm using MCLK/2. Buffer for amb USB-to-I²S converter works well, thanks for that. Sound is very good, even with out SSHV. I'm going to build it in few days. For IV R I went with 56ohm and later 47ohm I will test more and then buy better quality R.
What can I say, sound is very good, I'm using this DAC with Beta22 headphone amp. Here few shots,

Thanks
 

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#445
Pre Orders:



Malka07 - 1x - Dispatched
studiostevus - 1x - Dispatched
Crusty - 1x - Dispatched
kamaths - 1x - Dispatched
av-trouvaille - 1x
ernesternest - 1x - Dispatched
noizas - 2x - Dispatched
Ryelands - 3x - waiting for shipment on request
dsolodov - 1x - Dispatched​
 
#446
Hi

Having spent the festive break reading through the thread a few times I would like to make the following observations / suggests / questions.

1. If I build the boards (psu / salas shunts / dac) as per the diagrams and BOM then I should have a working DAC.

2. If the I2S source does not have a buffer then I need the new high-speed buffer board (at the moment I am sucessfully running I2s from a QA-550 into Buffalo 32S and from a juli@ into Buffalo II - since neither of these dacs seems to have a buffered input I assume there should not be a problem with the TDA1541A board!!).

3. It would be better to remove the TL431s and associated circuitry; in this case it would seem to be better to chop the board removing the TL431 section and wiring the Salas shunts as close as possible to the TDA1541A - a possible future version of the boards could have 3 parts for the DAC board - input psu connections board / TL431 board / DAC board? The Salas shunt boards could also have the outputs aligned to the DAC board allowing for even shorted connections?

4. Having a v2.3 board I do not have to lift any feet on the 74HC02.

5. Worry about the appropriate IV stage later!

If the above is correct then I will order all the bits (excluding TL431 bits) as per Ryelands excellent spreadsheet and get building.

Regards

Alan
 
#447
Pre Orders:



Malka07 - 1x - Dispatched
studiostevus - 1x - Dispatched
Crusty - 1x - Dispatched
kamaths - 1x - Dispatched
av-trouvaille - 1x - Dispatched
ernesternest - 1x - Dispatched
noizas - 2x - Dispatched
Ryelands - 3x - waiting for shipment on request
dsolodov - 1x - Dispatched​
 
#448
Hi Alon,

to your questions:

1. If I build the boards (psu / salas shunts / dac) as per the diagrams and BOM then I should have a working DAC.
Click to expand...

You still need an output stage.

2. If the I2S source does not have a buffer then I need the new high-speed buffer board (at the moment I am sucessfully running I2s from a QA-550 into Buffalo 32S and from a juli@ into Buffalo II - since neither of these dacs seems to have a buffered input I assume there should not be a problem with the TDA1541A board!!).
Click to expand...

Unfortunately i don´t know the two I2S devices.
As i wrote before, if your I2S devices supply voltages equals 3.3V and don´t have a buffer IC on board,
you would need one, e.g. my Ultra High Speed Buffer Module.
The I2S attenuators from ecdesigns i am using on my DAC module, are designed for 5V TTL levels only.
So we need the buffer between the output of these 3.3V devices and the input of my DAC module
for a proper work, without canceling the advantages of the I2S attenuators.

3. It would be better to remove the TL431s and associated circuitry; in this case it would seem to be better to chop the board removing the TL431 section and wiring the Salas shunts as close as possible to the TDA1541A - a possible future version of the boards could have 3 parts for the DAC board - input psu connections board / TL431 board / DAC board? The Salas shunt boards could also have the outputs aligned to the DAC board allowing for even shorted connections?
Click to expand...

The main advantage of my DAC project is the modular design.
For those who could not or don´t want use the HighEnd Salas Shunt Modules,
the additional TL431 are still on the DAC module for best voltage regulation.

I think Lucas had connected the Salas Shunt´s directly to the DAC Module. If he is ready with his soundcheck, i hope he post his experiences.

A new revision with a separate TL431 board is not planned.

4. Having a v2.3 board I do not have to lift any feet on the 74HC02.
Click to expand...

Correct.


Best regards,
Oliver
 
#449
Hello Oliver

all ordered PCBs, including Ultra High Speed Buffer Modules, received.
Thank you very much.

Now will start with building.

Can you say that is best solution to solder those pcbs covered by gold with eutectic solder?
Almost all other producers of diy pcb, uses non gold immersion, because gold is ok for contacts, not for soldering.

Here is John Broskie opinion:

"If any of the parts have gold-plated leads, remove the gold flash before soldering the part, as only a few molecules of gold will poison a solder joint, making it brittle; use sandpaper, steel wool, or a solder pot.
NASA forbids any gold-contaminated solder joints; you should as well. (Yes, there are many quality parts with gold-flashed leads, but the use of gold is a marketing gimmick, not sound electrical engineering practice.)"

I use Cardas quad eutectic solder, but I have no solder pot for such big PCB. On other hand I can not use sandpaper or steel wool for removing gold from PCB.

Please advice

Saulius
 
#450
noizas said:
Hello Oliver

all ordered PCBs, including Ultra High Speed Buffer Modules, received.
Thank you very much.

Now will start with building.

Can you say that is best solution to solder those pcbs covered by gold with eutectic solder?
Almost all other producers of diy pcb, uses non gold immersion, because gold is ok for contacts, not for soldering.

Here is John Broskie opinion:

"If any of the parts have gold-plated leads, remove the gold flash before soldering the part, as only a few molecules of gold will poison a solder joint, making it brittle; use sandpaper, steel wool, or a solder pot.
NASA forbids any gold-contaminated solder joints; you should as well. (Yes, there are many quality parts with gold-flashed leads, but the use of gold is a marketing gimmick, not sound electrical engineering practice.)"

I use Cardas quad eutectic solder, but I have no solder pot for such big PCB. On other hand I can not use sandpaper or steel wool for removing gold from PCB.

Please advice

Saulius
Click to expand...

Hi Saulius,

first a happy new year to you 😉

Don´t be afraid of any solder problems. You colud use any lead and lead free solder you want.
I for myself use normal leaded 60/40 solder and Mundorf MSolder silver/gold.

BTW, all my modules are designed to play not in orbit. 😀
 
#451
Hi Oliver,

happy new year to you too 🙂

thanks for fast answer.

I agree to your advice that those diy devices are not going to play anywhere in outer space 😀.
But, if NASA devices suffer many G overloads for short period, then audio equipment suffers micro-G overloads for many years 😉

So this is not "snake-oil" issue: we need to take into account that "cold joint" is quite "popular" in audio devices, especially in older than 10 -15 years.

Maybe I hope to use assembled devices tiil end of my days 🙂.
This is why eutectic solder is better.

Simply, please take into account for future orders on PCB - gold is not always welcome, better cover solderable contacts with Rosin alloy.

Saulius
 
#455
Hi Ryelands

difference between finishes is simple - solder should have same metal in alloy formula, because "foreign" metal dissloves in solder joint in case of overheating, producing intermetallic compounds, which make joint unstable for current, wet and vibration.
You can check wikipedia for more detailed info.
By the way, gold is one of worst contaminants of solder joint 😕

Most of audio diyers use common solders, based on tin with alloying parts of silver and copper.
If you gonna use eutectic solder, only few of them have gold included and almost all of them are VERY expensive as part of gold is above 80 percent 😱.

This is why I asked for Oliver's advice about soldering gold plated PCB.

IMO, finishes in priority should be: tin, silver, OSP. No way gold.

But if you already have gold plated PCB or component leads (like me now 🙂) , here is a good way too - use solder with a lot of tin - it helps a bit.

Saulius
 
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