Greetings,
Just thought I'd post my DIY DAC based on the DAM 1021 board from Soekris. While I have built several kits before (amps, preamps, phono stages, etc), this was my first attempt at something where I had to source my own components.
For the power suppy, I used a kit from Sparkos labs and paired it with their discrete voltage regulators. While some folks might call "snakeoil" on the idea of using expensive voltage regulators, I have had the privillege of owning two identical DACs in which one was using the Sparkos regulars and one with the stock regulators and I can say with confidence that they do make a noticable difference. As this was going to be a DAC for my main system, I wanted to use the nicest power supply I could afford since the PS was probably going to be the most important component (save for the DAC itself) in this project. The chasis was just a generic DAC chasis from Aliexpress and the TOS board came from DIYTHINK.
At first, I tried using the raw outputs from the DAC because I wanted to avoid using op-amps for output. While the sound was nicely transparent, it was lacking in energy and dynamics. I then switched to the buffered outputs and was much happier with the sound. That being said, I was still not entirelly satisfied. I looked into any other kind of buffer I could use, but was limited by space and my own knowledge. Then I reached out to the folks at Sowter and asked about using a transformer on the raw DAC outputs to get the output I wanted (2v or better). They suggested their 1461 transformer which, according to their calculations, would give me about 2.14v coming from 1.4v/625 ohms into a 10k load (the volume pot on my amp). I wired them in a noticed an immediate difference in the transparency and overall realism of the sound over the buffered (op-amp driven) outputs. It did seem to have a bit less drive/energy over the buffered outputs, but I was still much happier with the sound.
I'm not sure using that transformers to drive the output of a DAC would work for everyone in every circumstance, but they proved to be perfect for me. Hope this helps someone else!
Just thought I'd post my DIY DAC based on the DAM 1021 board from Soekris. While I have built several kits before (amps, preamps, phono stages, etc), this was my first attempt at something where I had to source my own components.
For the power suppy, I used a kit from Sparkos labs and paired it with their discrete voltage regulators. While some folks might call "snakeoil" on the idea of using expensive voltage regulators, I have had the privillege of owning two identical DACs in which one was using the Sparkos regulars and one with the stock regulators and I can say with confidence that they do make a noticable difference. As this was going to be a DAC for my main system, I wanted to use the nicest power supply I could afford since the PS was probably going to be the most important component (save for the DAC itself) in this project. The chasis was just a generic DAC chasis from Aliexpress and the TOS board came from DIYTHINK.
At first, I tried using the raw outputs from the DAC because I wanted to avoid using op-amps for output. While the sound was nicely transparent, it was lacking in energy and dynamics. I then switched to the buffered outputs and was much happier with the sound. That being said, I was still not entirelly satisfied. I looked into any other kind of buffer I could use, but was limited by space and my own knowledge. Then I reached out to the folks at Sowter and asked about using a transformer on the raw DAC outputs to get the output I wanted (2v or better). They suggested their 1461 transformer which, according to their calculations, would give me about 2.14v coming from 1.4v/625 ohms into a 10k load (the volume pot on my amp). I wired them in a noticed an immediate difference in the transparency and overall realism of the sound over the buffered (op-amp driven) outputs. It did seem to have a bit less drive/energy over the buffered outputs, but I was still much happier with the sound.
I'm not sure using that transformers to drive the output of a DAC would work for everyone in every circumstance, but they proved to be perfect for me. Hope this helps someone else!
How did you find working with the Soekris module? Was everything essentially plug and play? I tossed around the idea of trying out their modules, but the lengthy manual suggested it might be a significant undertaking.
It's easy -- relative to one's experience of course. Hook up jumper wires for I2S or SPDIF input, add power and audio out, voila. Easy to hook up to, for example, a Raspberry Pi or Amanero USB module.
There's a dedicated thread if you want to know more: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...te-r-2r-sign-magnitude-24-bit-384-khz.259488/
There's a dedicated thread if you want to know more: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...te-r-2r-sign-magnitude-24-bit-384-khz.259488/
It's a bit more like "solder and play." 😉
That being said, it's fairly easy, if you've had any experience building this sort of thing. The instructions can seem a bit much, but that (in my opinion) is due largely to how many options you have with this board. But, if you only want a simple DAC, just add a balanced power supply, I2S or SPDIF inputs and wire your RCA or balanced outputs and you're done!
Nice build! Why not twist all cable pairs... tightly...
And perhaps you would like to test my filters if you can spare a few dB of gain... you find them in the Filter thread.
Happy music consumption 🙂
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And perhaps you would like to test my filters if you can spare a few dB of gain... you find them in the Filter thread.
Happy music consumption 🙂
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It appears that Soekris has been out of product stock, especially the 2941, for several months now. Does anyone know what is happening with Soekris? It feels like they are not actively selling product.
There is this
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...r-the-soekris-r2r.269776/page-92#post-6000374
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No problem - didn't catch that... 🙂 Here is the posted filter. It has no DC filter. If you want that, a version with DC filter is on the previous page. DC filter is a protection for the DAC to not output a DC level. If you don't have a DC coupled system, you can use this one. If you are unsure and want to be totally safe - use the previous page one with the filter. Yes, the filter without might be a bit more transparent...
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...r-the-soekris-r2r.269776/page-92#post-6000374
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