DIY Audio Analyzer with AK5397/AK5394A and AK4490

[JensH]

I don't think it makes sense to sell bare PCB's in this case.
Once the performance has been verified to be OK, it is time to look at the next steps. Assembled boards is definitely a possibility. Perhaps even complete units, but that is still TBD.

[soekris]

Originally Posted by JensH

I don't think it makes sense to sell bare PCB's in this case.
Once the performance has been verified to be OK, it is time to look at the next steps. Assembled boards is definitely a possibility. Perhaps even complete units, but that is still TBD.

Don't know your capabilities or your you plans.... If you don't already have any production lined up I could take care of that, putting them into my pipeline, I'm used to procurement and production in low to medium volume and at low cost.... As I said, I was already already planning doing something very close to yours....

[Rodeodave]

I'd love to see this happening. Color me interested.

[Tazzz]

750 parts is manageable IMHO Its even worse If the cheap house mounts the wrong parts on some position.

[soekris]

Originally Posted by Tazzz

750 parts is manageable IMHO Its even worse If the cheap house mounts the wrong parts on some position.

No, then you go down to them and say: You mounted the wrong parts, please replace them with the correct ones, easy for them as they normally have the right tools....

I actually have some prototype PCB's and parts for a power amp laying here, with just 157 smd parts and none smaller than 0805. Planned to hand mount those, but after a couple of years they're still laying here....

[skidave]

I'm excited to see your results. Looks like good work so far!

[Frex]

That seem very interesting !It's a big work.
Any possibility to view schematics ?
About AK5397 ADC, did you have already purchase it to make performance evaluations ?

Frex

[JensH]

Schematics? Maybe later.

No, I have not tested the AK5397. This will also work as a test PCB for the AK5397. If the performance is not good enough, I can easily go back to the AK5394A. This would sacrifice some dynamic range and the possibility to use high sample rates, but if the distortion is significantly lower with the AK5384A then it could be worth doing.

[SyncTronX]

Soekris,

I think you might have a niche market here. You would also be providing a much
needed service. As we DIYers are growing older, our eyes, patience, and coordination are also becoming challenged as parts are growing smaller and component layout on Surface Mount Boards is becoming difficult.

I would appreciate viewing some pics of your companies shop or yours
and some of the products/boards they've procuded.

With SMT manual layout one sneeze, one startle, one slip, and it can take more
than Sherlock Holmes to locate a part wedged on a wall molding or picture
frame, or between the weave of a carpet.

[JensH]

I finished mounting the PCB yesterday. I have attached a picture of the assembled PCB.

Today I have started testing the performance.
The outputs look promising. I have measured the THD with a Panasonic VP-7722A. At 1kHz 0dBFS I get -104dB. The data sheet says -112 so there is still room for improvement. I get the lowest distortion at -11dBFS, where I measured a THD of -122dB. Measurements were done at 48kHz sampling.

On the input there is still some work to do. I have got signals through, but there is a high noise level on one channel and a high distortion on the other one. I need to investigate this further.