Topic: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD) (Read 17059 times)

Chris1967 · « **on:** November 03, 2013, 09:17:43 AM »

Quote from: MisterRogers on November 02, 2013, 05:06:37 PM

I second comments about the performance of the 9023; or AK, or most modern 'budget' (read not 9018) dac chips; Dedicated, quality power can really get the most out of them. I just built a little slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD). It isolates and reclocks the signal before feeding it to the DAC. I've powered both the USB and reclocker/DAC with dedicated Salas shunts. Then, I added a little filter/buffer well known over at diyaudio (JG Filter/Buffer), and just finished casing up a little DAC that costs less than $400, is small, handles PCM/DSD, and outperforms a stock Buffalo III (stock shunts/IV(s)/PS(s)).

Clean, correct power is I believe even more critical for digital circuits.

Great!! I would really apreciate it if you could make a small presentation of your DAC (if it is not too much trouble that is)

Thank you MisterRogers!

Hroðulf · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2013, 10:22:31 AM »

Yes! The plebs crave for pictorials! Do post them!

MisterRogers · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2013, 01:48:16 AM »

As you wish! Here are a coupe; one case/outside, the second all components, the final a close up of the USB receiver/DAC (I2SOverUSB/AK4396). The JB Filter/Buffer is located right behind the DAC. Excuse the unconventional way of building the shunts; wanted to mount them in this slimline case, which required the smoothing capacitors be mounted off board. Wiring isn't finalized yet. Anyway - here it is. I've built many more complex DAC's, but I find the sound of this little guy stellar.

Quote from: Chris1967 on November 03, 2013, 09:17:43 AM

Quote from: MisterRogers on November 02, 2013, 05:06:37 PM
I second comments about the performance of the 9023; or AK, or most modern 'budget' (read not 9018) dac chips; Dedicated, quality power can really get the most out of them. I just built a little slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD). It isolates and reclocks the signal before feeding it to the DAC. I've powered both the USB and reclocker/DAC with dedicated Salas shunts. Then, I added a little filter/buffer well known over at diyaudio (JG Filter/Buffer), and just finished casing up a little DAC that costs less than $400, is small, handles PCM/DSD, and outperforms a stock Buffalo III (stock shunts/IV(s)/PS(s)).

Clean, correct power is I believe even more critical for digital circuits.

Great!! I would really apreciate it if you could make a small presentation of your DAC (if it is not too much trouble that is)

Thank you MisterRogers!

Marvey · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2013, 03:19:18 AM »

I need to talk to you about this. Expect me to get in touch with you soon.

Chris1967 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2013, 07:46:45 AM »

Thank you very much MisterRogers!!

I2S over USB and AK4396 board is from jlsounds right? i was looking to get the I2S over USB but i will go for the DAC too now!!

Is the buffer absolutely neccesary? i mean can you give a brief description how the DAC sounds with and without the buffer?

Thank you very very much!!

MisterRogers · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2013, 01:32:17 PM »

Yep, that's the one. For cost/space reasons, the DAC only comes with a reconstruction filter. The components used are top quality, but I found it lacking a bit in slam and dynamics. I have to say though - while sonics are improved with the JG, it sounded pretty damn good with without. I would say built it with an emphasis on quality power and listen. I know a couple of builders/audiophiles that love the sound coming out of a reconstruction filter. To my ears, the JG just adds. Also - if any of you want to pick up a JG, gogowatch at diyaudio probably has some stock; just have to ask him. I ordered a couple more just to have them. You see, I have this problem - I'm nervous unless have have kit around to build something if I get a whim.

Not to forget your question:

RF: smooth, lower frequencies are a bit loose, otherwise good dynamics and range.
JG: more, more slam, better plankton.

Edit: Also - if any of you mates decide on a build that includes the JG and you can nab one, I'm happy to help build it if needed. It's a small board with 0603 surface mount. While I encourage every builder to gain their SMD chops, <= 0603 can be tough. Just putting that out there.

Hroðulf · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2013, 03:07:33 PM »

Can you get an approximation on the final BOM cost for your project? This looks pretty darn interesting.

MisterRogers · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2013, 03:26:10 PM »

Let me scratch it up more accurately RW; I build it from parts in the bin (as I mentioned, I have a nasty habit of collecting interesting kit) so I'll need to work it up. Seat of the pants, I'm pretty sure it can be built for ~$400 without the case. With that, you can spend as little or as much as you wanted. Btw, listening to it right now feeding a pimped Crack driving a pair of T90's. It's enough to make me park my ortho's - and I do love my ortho's.

Hroðulf · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2013, 03:48:20 PM »

Not bad at all. I'm currently living with Sneis's DA100 Siggy and enjoying the crap out of it.

By the way - the power supplies you are using. I see one linear regulator for the buffer filter thingie, but the digital side of things has only shuntregs, correct? Most likely I would use Sjostrom super regulators in my build.

MisterRogers · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2013, 04:09:51 PM »

Yep, correct. Two Salas shunts to drive XMOS-USB/Reclocker-DAC, and a linear to drive the JG. As much as I'm enjoying the hell out of it, I've heard the JG with better power.... and it's eating my brain. If there was any way to fit a Sjostrom super reg (great reg BTW, I have a couple of boards to be build) or two more Salas rails... Sigh. It never ends. In a real sense, most every build is a a series of trade-offs. Given the constraints of space, case, thermals - I think I made the right choice as to where to use the better power.

Author Topic: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD) (Read 17059 times)

Chris1967

slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

Hroðulf

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

MisterRogers

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

Marvey

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

Chris1967

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

MisterRogers

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

Hroðulf

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

MisterRogers

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

Hroðulf

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

MisterRogers

Re: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD)

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Author Topic: slimline dac with the AK4396, and an XMOS USB receiver (>= 384 PCM/64/128 DSD) (Read 17059 times)