Moode Forum

Full Version: Thinking of making DAC
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
I've been making my own DAC's since the mid 90's.  For the last decade or so, I've been feeding my various audio systems with an Airport Express from iTunes.  I use TOSLink on my DACs.  A few years ago, I made a semi-modern DAC to replace my tube based DAC from the turn of the century (I've been wanting to say that for a while now).  Here's my latest DAC:

http://getinthewoodchipper.com/?p=302

It uses a CD8416 decoder chip to get from TOSLink or SPDIF to I2S.  I then have an Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (CS8421) to deal with jitter issues.  Finally I'm using a CS4398 DAC chip which feed a pair of nickel core Lundahl LL1690 output transformers which act as the output stage.  IT's a very good sounding and music DAC.  

I'm planning on refining it to allow a rPi to be plugged in and powered to it as a daughter card.  Any interest in this project. 


Sheldon

PS  Also First Post!!!!
Hi Sheldon,

Really nice project. What interface, I2S or USB, are you planning to use between Pi and your DAC?

-Tim
Interested. Been looking for a SPDIF input solution, ideally a RCA jack that utilizes a Rpi. Lots of SPDIF output available.  Of course it would have to be Moode compatible.
(04-06-2018, 11:58 PM)Tim Curtis Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Sheldon,

Really nice project. What interface, I2S or USB, are you planning to use between Pi and your DAC?

-Tim

Thanks for the kind words.  I was planning to use I2S,  The dAC would still have TOSLink and coax in, and one of the inputs would be from the rPi header pins via I2S.  

Sheldon
(04-06-2018, 11:13 PM)stokessd Wrote: [ -> ]I've been making my own DAC's since the mid 90's.  For the last decade or so, I've been feeding my various audio systems with an Airport Express from iTunes.  I use TOSLink on my DACs.  A few years ago, I made a semi-modern DAC to replace my tube based DAC from the turn of the century (I've been wanting to say that for a while now).  Here's my latest DAC:

http://getinthewoodchipper.com/?p=302

It uses a CD8416 decoder chip to get from TOSLink or SPDIF to I2S.  I then have an Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (CS8421) to deal with jitter issues.  Finally I'm using a CS4398 DAC chip which feed a pair of nickel core Lundahl LL1690 output transformers which act as the output stage.  IT's a very good sounding and music DAC.  

I'm planning on refining it to allow a rPi to be plugged in and powered to it as a daughter card.  Any interest in this project. 


Sheldon

PS  Also First Post!!!!

PS  Also First Post!!!!
Very nice project !

Just a little question : does the CS8421 respect the lossless principle ?

And a CS4398 (or another good Dac) "HAT" dac with output transformers is a nice idea.
Perhaps too a discrete R2R HAT dac.
I'm in !

yannick

PS : I do not like so much Sabre chips, try them versus AK4497, huge difference. Even a AK4399 is much better than "big" chips from Sabre.