DAC Power Supply Improvement In My Gainclone Integrated Amplifier

One reason to use the integrated amplifier is the simplicity. You might like the multi box components audio system which each of them having their own specific job. It spectacular for eyes and of course to the sound quality as well. I've seen one huge system that have more than 9 box and it is only using a CD transport as a source. This kind of system does not always practical in the real world. Mostly in common house situation, like mine. I can built separate box for my audio equipment, but I prefer an integrated system. It is sleek and simple. It also nice to see and wallet friendly:)

So I continue my post here about adding DAC PCM56 module inside the Gainclone LM3886 integrated amplifier. It is sound great and this amplifier already become my main audio system for many years ago.

But there always room to improve it. So in this post I will adding a separate transformer to supply the power directly to the DAC module instead previously taken from the LM3886 power supply.

The “J” Grade PCM56 DAC Upgrade

It is been a while since I using PCM56 DAC here and here, or inside my integrated amplifier Gainclone LM3886 using the same DAC here. I know this PCM56 is not the best DAC IC I have ever built before, let's say the TDA1541A USB DAC here is outperform in many ways. But this PCM56P suit my listening pleasure and this is the reason I still keep it.

Using PCM56 DAC is like having a nostalgic sound for me. My first CD player that I bought with my own money is this second hand Victor XLV-90 here. This CD player sound quality is outstanding because it using the vintage R2R DAC PCM53. It has similar sound characteristic like this PCM56 DAC.

Back to this PCM56P DAC, right now I got the better specification is the PCM56P-J. This "J" grade have better error tolerance compares to the non grading PCM56. As per PCM56 datasheet, the "J" grade specification has better in the THD, from -82 dB to -88 dB. Quite significant in the number I guess, but how is the sound difference?

DIY TDA1541 USB DAC (Part 4) Objective Sound Quality Review

You might already read my post about DIY USB DAC using TDA1541A S1 here. It is a journey to find the best possible sound from this old mighty TDA1541A DAC IC. Although the whole post of this built are only come in 2 post, but actually behind the scene, it is far longer than that. Those are from searching the components, make the components selection for the best at specific design, designing the schematic and all of it is tiring but at the same time is fun.

The analog section is the circuit that I changed most. From using FET and end up by using op-amp. This USB DAC result is great and the sound quality is outstanding.

Actually this USB DAC is built for my friend. I did test the sound quality for at least few days before I hand over to my friend. This USB DAC is far better and more resolving in every ways. This is the best sounding USB DAC I've ever built and the Nakamichi DAC-101 here cannot stand any chance to win.

Just like a chef who cook a meal, the chef cannot become an objective judge. It is simply the chef know what ingredients he put in it. My friend also cannot become a fair judge, because he also following this built closely. So, to make this review objective enough, let me introduce Mr.J to review this USB DAC as objective as possible.

DIY TDA1541 USB DAC (Part 3) With Op-amps Analog Output

This post is the upgrade from previous DAC built here. This is a desktop USB DAC with PCM2706 USB to I2S in the non-oversampling TDA1541A DAC.

Then the story to find the best analog stages is begin.

I have read Lukas Fikus explanation on his websites about how well the sound of TDA1541 DAC using single FET at the analog stages. This method is so simple and who doesn't resist to built one? He said the sound is like using a vacuum tube but with only simple schematic. He also comparing his FET design to more complicated HDAM Marantz. But when I applied those schematic like on previous post, there is no way the sound could be good.

The BF245A gate input is so low even the normal current output from the IC TDA1541A DAC could easily distorted the sound. The original schematic from Lukas cannot be applied and some modification needed to makes the distortion lower. The draw back is the analog output level even smaller. I cannot evaluate the sound quality so much because of the distortion flaw and unreliable design. What I heard from it is so much 2nd harmonic distortion.

But the journey for single stages analog output doesn't stop here. I continue to test the others design.

DIY TDA1541A USB DAC (Part 2) The S1 Single Crown Review

The latest TDA1541A USB DAC built here is not reliable. I put an early disclaimer to not follow that built yet. The DAC is works by using one FET BF245A per channel. This is to amplify the V out from the passive resistor at the DAC output. But it seems doesn't have enough juice to crank up the output level, thus the sound quality is not as good as my expectation.

I have another idea to improve this TDA1541A USB DAC. This will be cover on the next post. But today concern is more about the proof of authenticity of my TDA1541A IC. Then I will also compares to the higher version of this TDA1541A is the S1 single crown.

Let's this story begin.