I appreaciate your kind offer. To be honest, I am not interested in spending my time and effort on a chip for which the manufacturer does not provide any documentation, the trial/error method is just too frustrating and tiring. There are MUCH friendlier alternatives, like the STM32 (low-level programming on a rather well documented HW, latency-friendly) or linux USB audio gadget in my case (higher latency but easy to expand and build on, extensive selection of hardware easily available).
Without on-board audio clocks MCU would need to generate MCK using PLL. This would lead to higher jitter, possibly higher overall noise and also a small (insignificant) frequency error. But nevertheless results could still be quite good. Possibly similar to SPDIF.
I have found some ready made Usb i2s boards at around the same price range. Perhaps getting one and modifying it to be better is a good solution for a cheap "top notch" bridge?
1. CT7601PR 32bit 768khz - here
2. Amanero clone 32bit 384khz - here
3. Amanero clone 2 - here
4. Amanero clone 3 - here
5. SA9227 32bit 384khz - here
I don't mind replacing caps, crystals on these, I can also give em high quality external supply. Do you think any of these boards are a good base? Which do you think is better to work from? Thanks a lot for any help provided. And do forgive for asking none stm32 related questions.
1. CT7601PR 32bit 768khz - here
2. Amanero clone 32bit 384khz - here
3. Amanero clone 2 - here
4. Amanero clone 3 - here
5. SA9227 32bit 384khz - here
I don't mind replacing caps, crystals on these, I can also give em high quality external supply. Do you think any of these boards are a good base? Which do you think is better to work from? Thanks a lot for any help provided. And do forgive for asking none stm32 related questions.
Maybe we should clarify a few things first.
1. If this is just to get a good dac while saving some money, probably better to just go buy a Topping or SMSL; something like that.
2. If you're particularly interested in computers and or DSP type stuff, then they might mitigate towards STM32 and or similar.
3. If you want to get into diy mainly just to learn, and you want to do it at lowest possible cost in case you find the hobby isn't for you, then that may suggest a certain path.
4. If you don't like the sound of modern sigma-delta dacs and you want a dac that sounds like a "non-oversampling" R2R dac type sound, then there is way to do that.
5. If you want a really good dac eventually, and you want to diy, but you have limited funds for now, although maybe you would want to upgrade an existing dac later when more funds become available, then there is that.
There is also the question of whether or not you can solder fine pitch SMD, the question of whether you have any test equipment and or intend to get some, and so on.
So, what do you think?
If you were to choose #5 above then I might be wiling to take you under wing and counsel you extensively by PM (to minimize noise in the form of internet forum arguments from people with different ideas).
Regarding your questions about Amanero, IMHO its not the best choice to start out with if you intend to stick with the hobby. Its cheap to start with, but then you throw it away and start over later or else you go to more design work and expense later to isolate it from USB bus noise produced by computers. Similar with STM32, IMHO; its a computer and as such its going to make some electrical noise. Thus isolation would likely come up at some point when you want your dac to perform better.
1. If this is just to get a good dac while saving some money, probably better to just go buy a Topping or SMSL; something like that.
2. If you're particularly interested in computers and or DSP type stuff, then they might mitigate towards STM32 and or similar.
3. If you want to get into diy mainly just to learn, and you want to do it at lowest possible cost in case you find the hobby isn't for you, then that may suggest a certain path.
4. If you don't like the sound of modern sigma-delta dacs and you want a dac that sounds like a "non-oversampling" R2R dac type sound, then there is way to do that.
5. If you want a really good dac eventually, and you want to diy, but you have limited funds for now, although maybe you would want to upgrade an existing dac later when more funds become available, then there is that.
There is also the question of whether or not you can solder fine pitch SMD, the question of whether you have any test equipment and or intend to get some, and so on.
So, what do you think?
If you were to choose #5 above then I might be wiling to take you under wing and counsel you extensively by PM (to minimize noise in the form of internet forum arguments from people with different ideas).
Regarding your questions about Amanero, IMHO its not the best choice to start out with if you intend to stick with the hobby. Its cheap to start with, but then you throw it away and start over later or else you go to more design work and expense later to isolate it from USB bus noise produced by computers. Similar with STM32, IMHO; its a computer and as such its going to make some electrical noise. Thus isolation would likely come up at some point when you want your dac to perform better.
Not all of them are actually Amanero clones. Real Amanero boards look like what is shown at:
https://amanero.com/
https://amanero.com/IMGP1175.JPG
If you buy a board that uses different chips, then unlikely you can use the Amanero firmware tools to allow for external clocking should you want to try that at some point.
It is but I want to learn how this stuff is made properly, and make a dac/amp that not just for its price, but in general is an edge above what you can buy in it's class.
Noted. I have been into diy for years, most of my gear not just audio, but tools in general or regular home electronics is self made. I love it when the things I use are made by me, as when something goes wrong I can pinpoint what did and deal with it right away instead of guessing and praying. I was just plain unsire if I manage this project, so In case I failed wanted to keep the waste to its lowest by keeping project cost low.
Doubt my ears are good enough to sense a difference between a sigma-delta dac and an R2R. But I want to try both. (at some point, for now lets stick to sigma-delta as it seems the more easy route.)
I have soldered smd before, I have a heat gun also. I can get tools if needed! Yeah, I would like to start off with a solid diy dac/amp and if I end up loving it, nothing is stopping me from making a better one, or buying a pro off the self one.
I would be glad and very thankful if you did help me out like that. Hm. Interesting. What choices do I have if that's the case? Wouldn't any usb i2s bridge need isolation when you want to get most performance out of it? What would you suggest? Most importantly, is the isolation on the usb line talking about power, or data? if it is power to be isolated I can manage that without any issues. I planned to mod the clone boards to use external linear supply anyway. Also, in case you did look at the boards I've sent, which of them do you think is the better base?
Many many thanks.