Interesting that you did not mention the WM8742/1/0, like miro1360 did.If you ask me my prefered dac chips are in this order AD1862, TDA1541, then CS in delta sigma.
Because your list is quite close.
Also not less interesting is that from what you wrote, ΔΣ CS is at the same level of those other, older DACs (even if int he end), despite being new and with the new technology.
Cool, will do that on the day I start to build a DAC myself from scratch..Today, to be sure to have a genuine AD1862 you must go for a referenced seller like Rochester for instance and it may cost you more than 70 euros without VAT & transport for such chips : the best is to find cdplayers from Vasili list second hand to get genuine chips
😉 This time no, on another time I might dive into it, like I dived into programming, microcontrolelrs, electronics and more.but doesn't work for you cause no DIY involved.
Will moving magnet cartridges ever be as good as moving coil cartridges?
no...
So this means I should give a try to an externally powered DAC product like the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100..Nor will the high power DACs be as good as the low power DACs.
It is gets 12v 2A..
I meant to say low output power such as the TDA1541. Could the participants of this thread present a design proposal?
... like Rochester for instance and it may cost you more than 70 euros without VAT & transport for such chips ...
alternatively he can buy them on utsource, in price about 22USD for 2pcs with shipping 😀 I bought many so and they are working good ...
Sounds great..alternatively he can buy them on utsource, in price about 22USD for 2pcs with shipping 😀 I bought many so and they are working good ...
They seem to not display on some of them there..
They offer to inquire the price..
Maybe I'll buy some too, for the day I decide to build one..
Is there a difference between the various kinds?
Some end with "N", "N-J", "N-P", "NZ"..
Is there a difference between the various kinds?
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Some end with "N", "N-J", "N-P", "NZ"..
go with N-J (second row in your picture), they are in DIP and the performance of N-J is better as N
buy 2pcs (they should arrive from the same production code)
buy 2pcs (they should arrive from the same production code)
yes they are,
in SMD you can find AD1865R-J, in the future do not buy these SMD, go only for DIP (like AD1865N-K)
in SMD you can find AD1865R-J, in the future do not buy these SMD, go only for DIP (like AD1865N-K)
OK I bought 4..
The second row item as you pointed..
Having them will definitely give motivation to use them and build my first DAC..
Much nicer than paying 70$ per chip.. 😉
The second row item as you pointed..
Having them will definitely give motivation to use them and build my first DAC..
Thank you very much for this tip..alternatively he can buy them on utsource, in price about 22USD for 2pcs with shipping 😀 I bought many so and they are working good ...
Much nicer than paying 70$ per chip.. 😉
spaceman5,
you raised a legitimate question that is not generally addressed in discussions. Given the answer, my choice of DAC is different but I wish you good luck.
you raised a legitimate question that is not generally addressed in discussions. Given the answer, my choice of DAC is different but I wish you good luck.
Having them will definitely give motivation to use them and build my first DAC..
Perfect! Create a new thread about your build.
As the question was about dac tipology and on a budget, I'm asking myself if the thread could have a different approach but still on topic ?
Considering op approach which is not diy yet but has a reflexion about what the best money can buy at 100 USD and trying different dac chips, we answered :
- best is maybe DIY or tweak a board as Markw4 did for instance: but not a DIY post here.
- More focused on original topic: we saw dac chip tipology is not a priority while still staying important both in our answers and marketing description made by sellers (dac chip X, oap Y and so on...)
- we also see a 100 USD can sometimes hide many issues : fast & bad development, bad layout, not genuine parts sometimes if bought from some not serious sellers, especially Ebay, Alixpress.
- It's difficult or impossible to answer and advise on a whole without listening the device, indeed Diyaudio is a place where people often focus on particular technical details while still generalizing conclusions when it comes to help posters with too large or naives questions.
So people can help by debuging the approach or advice a populated device they know in the price target.
Could it be possible but still sensitive to advise a device considering the best items experienced diyers could choose with those constraints ? (we already did but more or less focused on op questions)
It seemed to me dac hats around a Rpi was perhaps logical, but is it really a good advice according to the budget target ? Not sure...
Thinking about layout I naivly mixed the few I know from my experience towards op goal and finally thought about portable audio players could be a sensitive advice while not being sure (we still can not hear them before buying):
- possible within the budget
- battery powered : no ground loop or electrical polution
- feedable witha SD card many considers top approach
- feedable also with wireless streaming from a laptop or smartphone, no groundloop again.
- easy to plug on an amp with a 3.5 chinch to RCA cable.
I found this looking for at Headhifi dot org :
with AK chip : Drop: Passions lead here (formerly Massdrop)
ANd same previous device with CS4398 : XDUOO X3 Baladeur Numerique Hifi DAP 24Bit/192khz DSD CS4398 noir - Audiophonics
Notice the brandnew ref has an AK chip instead the CS (we totally stay into the topic here and could be the AK less good than the CS ? supply and sourcing or marketing approachs from the brand more than audio choice ???)
Are such devices deserve consideration vs their laptop powered equivalent Spaceman5 posted ? Closer to the goal within a blind purchase still ?
Or still irrational ? (bad approach stays a bad approach)
Considering op approach which is not diy yet but has a reflexion about what the best money can buy at 100 USD and trying different dac chips, we answered :
- best is maybe DIY or tweak a board as Markw4 did for instance: but not a DIY post here.
- More focused on original topic: we saw dac chip tipology is not a priority while still staying important both in our answers and marketing description made by sellers (dac chip X, oap Y and so on...)
- we also see a 100 USD can sometimes hide many issues : fast & bad development, bad layout, not genuine parts sometimes if bought from some not serious sellers, especially Ebay, Alixpress.
- It's difficult or impossible to answer and advise on a whole without listening the device, indeed Diyaudio is a place where people often focus on particular technical details while still generalizing conclusions when it comes to help posters with too large or naives questions.
So people can help by debuging the approach or advice a populated device they know in the price target.
Could it be possible but still sensitive to advise a device considering the best items experienced diyers could choose with those constraints ? (we already did but more or less focused on op questions)
It seemed to me dac hats around a Rpi was perhaps logical, but is it really a good advice according to the budget target ? Not sure...
Thinking about layout I naivly mixed the few I know from my experience towards op goal and finally thought about portable audio players could be a sensitive advice while not being sure (we still can not hear them before buying):
- possible within the budget
- battery powered : no ground loop or electrical polution
- feedable witha SD card many considers top approach
- feedable also with wireless streaming from a laptop or smartphone, no groundloop again.
- easy to plug on an amp with a 3.5 chinch to RCA cable.
I found this looking for at Headhifi dot org :
with AK chip : Drop: Passions lead here (formerly Massdrop)
ANd same previous device with CS4398 : XDUOO X3 Baladeur Numerique Hifi DAP 24Bit/192khz DSD CS4398 noir - Audiophonics
Notice the brandnew ref has an AK chip instead the CS (we totally stay into the topic here and could be the AK less good than the CS ? supply and sourcing or marketing approachs from the brand more than audio choice ???)
Are such devices deserve consideration vs their laptop powered equivalent Spaceman5 posted ? Closer to the goal within a blind purchase still ?

Or still irrational ? (bad approach stays a bad approach)
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Thank you very much diyiggy
How does the medium that store the file matter?
And the idea to use Portable Audio Players is definitely worth considering.
Sometimes, they cost like a DAC product..
Altho 1 disadvantage that this might have, is that the battery may end its life relatively soon,
since it will be used and then charged over and over..
And sadly, at least from what I know, those devices don't have a replaceable battery..
(and least not a user friendly way)
This is interesting - why an SD Card is considered top approach?- feedable witha SD card many considers top approach
How does the medium that store the file matter?
And the idea to use Portable Audio Players is definitely worth considering.
Sometimes, they cost like a DAC product..
Altho 1 disadvantage that this might have, is that the battery may end its life relatively soon,
since it will be used and then charged over and over..
And sadly, at least from what I know, those devices don't have a replaceable battery..
(and least not a user friendly way)
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