Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 5) AD1865NK

Yes, it is been awhile since I finished my another ultimate DAC using AD1865 with CXD1144 Sony over-sampling IC. I made this DAC including a simple headphone amplifier in one box, just for make this unit more functional. I will consider to add another line output and the selector switch just to give an option if this DAC want to connect to other audio system or just like this, using the headphone out.

But for now, I am quite often listen through my headphone with this DAC, so I will let this unit just like this for a while.

This AD1865 DAC has been reviewed by my friend. I leave it for a week at his house so he can evaluate the sound quality deeply. He is using Arcam TDA1541 S1 CD player modify to a DAC. He is also using Rotel CD player as transport, Camelot External Digital Filter and I am not sure about the power amplifier and the speakers he use. Please continue reading.

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 4) Assembly DAC AD1865

With the schematic provided from my previous post part 1 part 2 part 3 and of course I already have the main components on my hands, then I can start to design and build this another ultimate DAC.

The starting point for building a DAC is determined what box will be using. This would become the appearance of the finished project. I always using high quality aluminum box enclosure and it is not cheap. Preferable black color anodized for a great looking finish. Then, because the box comes in many shapes and size, this is also the reason why I don't like using commercial PCB available. The reason for this, because the PCB design which in most cases will not suitable to the box I preferred. Other than that, it is others people design and schematic, not authentic personal build. But that just my personal opinion. Let's continue.

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 3) AD1865 DAC

I have explained before on how to connecting the SPDIF input to the digital receiver and then goes to the digital filter. The IC that I use are YM3623 and CXD1144 here and here. You might wondering what would be my candidate DAC IC for this another ultimate DAC build, and here it is, the AD1865 DAC from Analog Device. The reason for this is because I still have several AD1865 in my bin. Other than that, especially for the sound quality, in my opinion AD1865 is sound great. It is R2R DAC and very simple to build compares to more complicated and rare PCM63 or AD1862.

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 2) CXD1144 Digital Filter

In this part 2, I will focusing on how to connect from the digital receiver IC to the digital filter IC. This part 2 is continuing from the Part 1 which explained how to convert from SPDIF CMOS to TTL digital format required by the YM3623.

At the glance, you might wondering why I prefer the over-sampling instead just a simple non-oversampling glue-logic? And this where the fun begin. The fun why I am refuse the dogma that always told you for the non-oversampling is the best sound quality compares to the oversampling.

Theoretically the oversampling is required to smoothing the ladder steps on the frequency band created by the digital domain. Ok, I a not going to much technical, but this oversampling is required for the smoother overall audio frequency response. The oversampling also reducing the complexity in the low-pass filter at the analog section. The result for this oversampling is better audio performance in all audio frequency band.

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 1) YM3623 Digital Receiver

In this post I will share my another DAC build that I think it could be my next ultimate DAC.

You probably know my first ultimate DAC built here is the non-oversampling TDA1541A DAC that built to emphasis on better overall layout, better components and better power supply design. It sound great by the way. Then, all my next DAC built is always having the same principal as that Ultimate DAC built in mind.

Today DAC build is another story. This is started when I'm read so many discussion on the most popular DIY audio forum on internet about building a DAC with mostly all in the same guideline. Great DAC should this and should that said the "experienced" forum members. This makes me restless. It is seems there is a strict line guides created by the members on how to make a great DAC. On the other hands, they killing the creativity. Like this example, why the non-over-sampling DAC will be sound more natural and better? If so the over-sampling would be sound worse? Why the IV stages should be using as simple as a resistor per channel and avoid the op-amps? Is the op-amps really that bad?

And so on, and so on.

That is why, this ultimate DAC build will emphasis on what everyone (mostly) on the internet avoiding at, but what I personally think it is better, theoretically. Please read on.