USB DAC at 24-bit

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I have spent three days now searching so I feel I can post this without guilt 🙂

I can't seem to find a USB DAC chip that supports 24-bit. If someone knows of one please tell me!!!!

In the case that there is no such thing yet then I was wondering if anyone knew how to attach a USB controller chip to a 24-bit dac chip that doesn't support USB. I realize that this is a very noobish question, but I am sure that it is possible because there are 24-bit USB DAC's out there.

I know 24-bit is sort of silly but in this case it is important.

Thoughs? Thanks.

Milo
 
Hi Milo,

virtually all of the 24bit DACs (or audio interface units as a whole) out there - which I know of - use a USB controller for communication and a dedicated DAC (or CODEC) for conversion.

Most common is the Texas Instruments TUSB3200/3210 series and their successors (see http://www.ti.com).

Hope this helps,
Sebastian.
 
Sek,

I took a look at the TUSB3200 pdf. It explains a little to me. But I am very unused to digital circuits. Not that used to Analog circuits but I feel much more comfortable with them 🙂.

Do you have to program the TUSB3200? Or do you just connect it to the DAC? What pins am I looking for in terms of the USB controller sending information to the DAC and the DAC recieving.

Thanks for your help!

Milo

edit: Looked at some of the applications sheets and found a diagram connecting the TUSB3200 with the TLC320AD77. The TLC is a CODEC (not sure what the difference between a CODEC and an DAC is). The TLC looks like it is sending Analog out, but its also connected to a VREF filter. The TUSB is connected to a EPROM as well.

1. do I have to connect the VREF filter (what is it for)?
2. do I have to connect the EPROM (that means programming the damn thing right)?
3. There were mentions of firmware in regards to the TUSB. Does that mean I have to program it or just update its firmware with TI firmware updates.

Thanks for the patience.
 
Such ICs are a heck more complicated than a USB DAC!

Yes, it means programming a firmware and supplying it to the TUSB via the EEPROM. TI supplies tools for all this, but it's still programming... although difficulty level: washing machine.

Vref is used because there also is an input in this application. CODEC means coder/decoder (ADC and DAC) 😉
 
The little voice that is saying "JUST BUY THE APOGEE" is starting to become a big voice... with a stick. Only my wallet stands in his way. 🙂

Thanks for the help. Ill do a bunch of reading and maybe Ill revive this thread at a later date when I know a little more. Thanks for your help Sek!

Milo
 
Never heard something bad about the sound of an Apogee interface as of yet.
But it's of course not the only manufacturer of good interfacing equipment.

I hope you find what you need,
Sebastian. 🙂
 
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