As usual on this Sunday morning, I starting my day with simple exercise. I notice the sky are very clear with unusual cloud pattern, so I grab my phone and take a shoot. Then I think this photo will be suitable for this post cover.
Actually I already had some components to share. It is for the next DAC project and let's take a look.
It is my dream to build the Ultimate DAC like this. This build will be based on my experienced, especially for all components, design and arrangement that contribute to the superior sound quality. The candidate DAC IC in this build is TDA1541A. This is one of the best sounding vintage DAC IC when it is implement correctly. I really love the mid range presentation with this DAC so much. It is multi layer, three-dimensional and detail mid-range presentation. The overall frequency response also have an outstanding performance. This is including great timing and attack in bass, large sound-stage, and nice smooth treble.
You probably have seen my previous post about the finished project of this Ultimate TDA1541A DAC but you probably not sure what makes this "Ultimate"? So in this post I will share the photos of the building of this DAC.
Looking back from early this year, I made several well known and reputable multi bit DAC in the small size. From the portable size DAC PCM56P here and DAC PCM56P for integrated amplifier here. Then I also made the portable size USB DAC + headphone amplifier TDA1541A here. I like to made one complex circuit small. This is also testing my skill when built them. They are working well but this small and portable size DAC have to cutting some corner to fit all in. And those cutting really effect to the sound quality.
Then I also made very optimal implementation of TDA1541A USB DAC here. This optimal version is focus on the power supply circuit, the component matching and very rigid chassis. Those are the recipe for the best sounding DAC. The drawback for all of this is the bigger size casing and of course, it sound far better than the small one.
The idea for making this ultimate implantation of TDA1541A DAC comes far before I made my latest DAC based on AD1862 here. I want the DAC that push harder in the implementation with almost cost no object. So in this post, I will share this Ultimate TDA1541A DAC built.
With the great result from my previous DAC built here I could say that the journey for the best multi bit DAC is over. The sound quality from TDA1541A S1 is remarkable especially on the mid range. What could I asking for more? But one day, my friend asking if I could check the others best R2R DAC.
It is the AD1862.
I replied, is it AD1865 you said? No, it is really the AD1862, not AD1865. It is technically better than AD1865. So I will make another DAC with this AD1862 since I already have this DAC IC a few days later. Lucky me:)
Continue from the previous post about PCM56P-J here, I should admit that chasing the highest grade for this DAC IC is just like playing a fun game. Early disclaimer for this grading is actually made and measured by the Burr-brown manufacture to differentiate the measurement result after the IC's come out from the production lines. The closest to the best THD specification will be stamped by "K", the lesser THD number will be the "J" stamped and the last is no grade. Fun fact about this THD number can also be optimized, depends on the application use. Other than that, as stated in the datasheet, most of this R2R DAC IC's made by Burr-brown can be do the MSB adjust, so the THD number can be much better after this adjustment.
So, what this grades marking are for? Is it only for marketing purpose? Well, short answer it is not. Without or with MSB adjust, the final THD number can be better if the original IC having advantage from the lowest THD number. Other than that, the reason for this grading is because the MSB adjust taking another process in audio manufacture which require more time and measurement. So out of the box, Burr-brown R2R DAC IC using grades to determined THD performance without any MSB adjust. This is become more easy for the audio manufacture put their product based on the specification requirement.
