DIY PCM56 DAC Integrated Gainclone Amplifier

This is my second build of PCM56 based DAC. The basic schematic of this DAC is very simple, you can check it here. It is non-oversampling DAC, means no any digital filter or over sampling on the digital signal.

Previously I also have few DAC that oversampling by the design such as Clarion DRX-9255 EXL using PCM1702 and Nakamichi DAC-101 using dual TDA1541A S1, they both sound great. Comparing to this non-oversampling PCM56 DAC, it has different sound signature. This PCM56 sound very analog, lifelike vocal and still maintain the dynamic presentation which I also like it so much.

So in this post I will make another PCM56 DAC. Same schematic but lots of improvement especially in the power supply section. I will put this DAC inside my Gainclone amplifier here and this will become an integrated amplifier.

DAC LPF Op-amps Comparison OPA1642 NE5532 LM4562

My multibit DAC built here and here sound wonderful.

Previously I did some changes especially in all technical aspect and evaluate the sound quality improvement from that changes. Like in this post, the DAC is dual PCM56P then using internal IV converter to the LPF section.

The LPF section in every DAC is very critical. The good calculated LPF can reveal the DAC sound potential because no digital glitch occurs on the analog output. The LPF is not only made by the combination of the resistors and capacitor network, but the op-amp become the major factor to the sound improvement.

So in this post, I will review some op-amp that more suitable in this DAC LPF section.

Simple Single Supply AC to Dual DC Supply For PCM56 DAC

My latest DAC built is based on PCM56P here. This DAC built is intended to become my experimental project about how good the simple non-oversampling R2R DAC would sounds like. The overall size of this DAC is only 10 cm x 7 cm, very compact in size, slightly bigger than the Chord Mojo here but this PCM56 is far better in sound quality because it is multibit R2R resistor ladder network compare to the simple delta sigma DAC like in Chord Mojo.

Right now I mostly listen the music from this DAC PCM56 in my home audio system. Sometimes I also using this DAC on my headphones setups. This PCM56 DAC is powered by the battery pack. This is naturally has more cleaner power supply compares when using the transformer. This will impact to the smoother sound quality.

But using the batteries is more hassle than using typical wall adapter. I should recharge the batteries when the voltage drop and this is very annoying especially when forget that but I want listen to the music right away.

So in this post, I will share how I change from the dual rail batteries power supply to single supply using typical AC wall adaptor.

Under The Radar (Part 4) Massdrop Hifiman HE-4XX Ortho-dynamic Headphone

This post is the final post about "under the radar" headphones that sound great.

But I make a drift. This post doesn't count because this Massdrop Hifiman HE-4XX is a recent headphone and quite popular. The reason why I choose this is because after 2 weeks try to finding the cheap vintage headphones that almost no body aware of, then come to my conclusion that the Yamaha HP-1 is a cheap and good vintage headphones for a desktop audio system only.

So to end this series, I wonder how newer ortho-dynamic headphone can compete with the vintage headphone. The newer technologies will absolutely more efficient and have better tolerance, but will it sound better?

Under The Radar (Part 3) Yamaha HP-1 Ortho-Dynamic Headphone

Continue from my previous review about the Yamaha HP-50A here it would be more fun to have the higher tier of Yamaha headphone for this comparison.

In today post, I have the Yamaha HP-1 which is well known for the top tier Yamaha headphones line up. I personally never had any experience with this kind of headphone. This Yamaha HP-1 is the vintage audiophile headphone and it using the Ortho-dynamic driver same as the previous headphone review.

So let's begin.

Under The Radar (Part 2) Stereo Re-cabling Yamaha HP-50A Ortho-dynamic Headphone

Last week I post the Beyerdynamic HP-100 here review and somehow I am not quite satisfy the overall result. The main reason for that is this headphone is very hard to drive, it is heavy and bulky. I think I never get along with any Beyerdynamic headphones anyway:)

So I move forward to something unpolished jewel headphones around year 70s to 80s. They are not as hype as today market, yet they are built for professional user. So I get this used but surprisingly like new headphone, the Yamaha HP-50 for only US$35. Very cheap in my opinion. But I cannot using this headphone out of the box because this HP-50A is mono version headphone. I need convert to stereo first by re-cabling this headphone.