Building Mini DAC TDA1543 (Part 1)

Do you curious on how simple DAC would perform? From my previous post, I'm already fall in love with the sound from my Meridian 203. The ESS Sabre 9018 also sound very good to me but for some reason, not to engaging for me. So I think I will build my personal DAC to compete with them.

This DAC project is very simple and economic. It consist of TDA1543 and CS8414 as a S/PDIF receiver. It is also not a news anymore. There are a lot DIY'ers build this DAC with good result and I could tell I am very late about this. This project is fully inspired by 47 labs which very phenomenal with their Gaincard and they also build this DAC based on similar  IC.

The king of DAC is actually TDA1541 but it is hard to find now. Without want to struggling to find one, I will using TDA1543. This DAC is 16 bit with non-oversampling. All connection will do in universal board with point to point connection.

The CS8414 that I using is SOIC package and need an adapter to fit on DIP board. 

 This IC has a room for hand soldering, not very tiny and I do it very well.

The most important in point to point is the initial planning on where all individual components would go. Better planning means less jumper on the board.

The one and only jumper I made is only S-data jumper to Data input. This jumper will hide under CS8414 SOIC.

All components should measure and calculate on how much space do they need. So there is enough room for them on the board.

The final layout would be like this. I think this is the best arrangement so far.

On the connector side, there is no jumper needed.

I share my initial plan in a plain paper. The actual installation quite different with it but the basic idea is the same.

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