I've previously declared that this DAC deserves to be built by more people and I've been reflecting on that. In light of that sentiment I have reconsidered and I am prepared to co-ordinate a group buy of another batch of PCBs for the DSD-only version of Marcel's design.
The deal will be;
Please ask if you have any questions. I'm sure some clarification will be required depending on the level of interest.
There is some interest in a GB over on the Transcendent Audio - I will invite them to sign-up here.
If this is of interest copy and paste the list below and add your name (and qty).
Fred Scroggins - 1 PCB
The deal will be;
- DSD-only version of the PCB (PCB only).
- Minimum order is 5 and then in multiples of 5.
- Payment up front
- Shipping and fees at cost (remember that I may incur customs charges that may increase the unit cost)
Please ask if you have any questions. I'm sure some clarification will be required depending on the level of interest.
There is some interest in a GB over on the Transcendent Audio - I will invite them to sign-up here.
If this is of interest copy and paste the list below and add your name (and qty).
Fred Scroggins - 1 PCB
So, one down, four more required; Fred Scroggins isn't a real person but a name sometimes used in British humour...
diyAchim - 1 PCB
diyAchim - 1 PCB
🙂
I could have sworn that he was the guy trolling the valve DAC freads lately...
Thanks, Ray!
Fingers-crossed that we get some more sign-ups.
Thinking positively, I think it will help you guys if I try and give you a steer on the potential costs of this build. Assuming five people join the group buy (say circa £80 per PCB), ignoring the upstream infrastructure to deliver DSD data to the DAC input (for which there are several options), without valves (again various cost options) but with perhaps a very cheap, basic chassis I think the project will cost at least £500 and likely a bit more - not cheap but,on the other hand, think what you're getting compared with commercial offerings. BTW, I haven't used boutique caps/resistors etc.
Within that cost esimate, apart from the main board, there is a non-trivial cost in the reconstruction filters. Marcel provided several different filter options; I'll find the post with the schematics later but for now here is a link showing my filters.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/dig...-linear-audio-volume-13-a-38.html#post6033155
As you can see I chose to use Lundahl LL1684 output transformers and the inductors are from Don Audio, custom wound and cost me about £100 for the four (Custom Inductor RM8 Core, 34,58 €). Obviously not the cheapest options but if you were hearing the music I'm listening to at the moment you probably wouldn't want to compromise. My filters are assembled on PCBs I desgned and I can make the gerber files available or supply a pair of the boards if they're of interest? (I designed them to mount in slots in my chassis but I can easily add some stand-off holes).
I've also got a copy of Marcel's BOM but with Mouser part numbers that should cover most of the main board components and will try to put together an indicative cost for them when I get time.
Thinking positively, I think it will help you guys if I try and give you a steer on the potential costs of this build. Assuming five people join the group buy (say circa £80 per PCB), ignoring the upstream infrastructure to deliver DSD data to the DAC input (for which there are several options), without valves (again various cost options) but with perhaps a very cheap, basic chassis I think the project will cost at least £500 and likely a bit more - not cheap but,on the other hand, think what you're getting compared with commercial offerings. BTW, I haven't used boutique caps/resistors etc.
Within that cost esimate, apart from the main board, there is a non-trivial cost in the reconstruction filters. Marcel provided several different filter options; I'll find the post with the schematics later but for now here is a link showing my filters.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/dig...-linear-audio-volume-13-a-38.html#post6033155
As you can see I chose to use Lundahl LL1684 output transformers and the inductors are from Don Audio, custom wound and cost me about £100 for the four (Custom Inductor RM8 Core, 34,58 €). Obviously not the cheapest options but if you were hearing the music I'm listening to at the moment you probably wouldn't want to compromise. My filters are assembled on PCBs I desgned and I can make the gerber files available or supply a pair of the boards if they're of interest? (I designed them to mount in slots in my chassis but I can easily add some stand-off holes).
I've also got a copy of Marcel's BOM but with Mouser part numbers that should cover most of the main board components and will try to put together an indicative cost for them when I get time.
This sounds more than reasonable to me. For the output side, I have a differential 3A5 output stage I use for my current DAC, that might be able to cover some of these duties, too. Ive already got a range is i2S options on hand also.
To support this Group Buy, here is Marcel's article for free download:
Downloads | Linear Audio
If you scroll down a bit on that page there's is also a Design Data package for the unit.
Jan
Downloads | Linear Audio
If you scroll down a bit on that page there's is also a Design Data package for the unit.
Jan
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I have to agree Jan but only because I can't think of the right word for being more generous than generous!
Ray
Ray
Valve DAC PCB Group Buy
diyAchim - 1 PCB
Raj!1 - 1 PCB
dubulup - 1 PCB
There are bound to be some lurkers out there, c'mon, help these guys out and sign-up - you wont regret doing so.
diyAchim - 1 PCB
Raj!1 - 1 PCB
dubulup - 1 PCB
There are bound to be some lurkers out there, c'mon, help these guys out and sign-up - you wont regret doing so.
I started to check out the BOM last evening; just need to resolve a couple of details and I'll post it here. It seems I got the parts from Digikey, not Mouser.
BOM - smd parts
Here's a link to load up a DigiKey basket with all the smd parts that I ordered for my build;
https://www.digikey.co.uk/short/z5whtb
and attached is a zip of the corresponding excel spreadsheet.
Cost of the smd parts is about £50 before taxes/delivery (should be free delivery anyway).
I'll do the same for the through hole parts when I get time.
Ray
Here's a link to load up a DigiKey basket with all the smd parts that I ordered for my build;
https://www.digikey.co.uk/short/z5whtb
and attached is a zip of the corresponding excel spreadsheet.
Cost of the smd parts is about £50 before taxes/delivery (should be free delivery anyway).
I'll do the same for the through hole parts when I get time.
Ray