Vintage Multibit R2R DAC Tier List

At the very beginning of this year, I committed to explore the best multi-bit R2R DAC. This is simply because I have plenty of the resources (from broken old unit CD player of course) and ability to build them up. If you think this kind a recycle from old un-used unit to become something useful, than I should stated myself giving contribute for greener world:)

After all DAC that I built in this year, I think it is better for me to list them up again in one single page like this. Then I will rank them up in a simple tier list. The reason for this, so you all know what my opinion about of those vintage multibit R2R DAC especially in the sound quality.

The DAC IC can be found on every digital player. Especially for old CD player, you probably will find the multi-bit vintage DAC on them. Philips, Burr-Brown, and Analog Device are the only manufacture produce this marvelous multi-bit DAC at that time before the multibit R2R DAC are replaced completely with the more simple and economic DAC called the 1 bit delta sigma. Those old CD player are probably broken now due to the ages of the optical unit but the DAC IC's itself can still be use for this new DAC build.

The CD's and CD player are not widely use now. It is not even popular because most people more likely to have streaming music or just like me that already have many CD's, I prefer ripped them to WAV music format and stored the physical CD's on my drawer. So the need of CD player are now replaced by the digital music player especially that support digital output through USB or SPDIF. The external audio DAC that we are talking about now is translate the digital to analog with the multibit R2R architecture.

The main reason for me to enter this vintage multi-bit R2R DAC is because I cannot find any better sound quality from the delta sigma DAC anymore. I am at the moment that those delta sigma DAC cannot give significant sound improvement anymore. No matters on what certain price point, they have similar sound signature. They are sound clean, sterile and I don't feel any engagement to the music played with those delta sigma DAC. The delta sigma are still good of course, but hardly great if you compare to the multibit R2R DAC.

Previously I am using many delta sigma CD player and DAC and I think it is better for you to know what are those. So I list them not in certain order, but not all. This is the list just that I strongly remember the reason why I am use them. I also put some of the link just in case if you want detail information about each of it.

1. The first delta sigma DAC I will mentioned is inside the Sony Playstation SCPH-1002 here here. This gaming console is also a CD player is cheap because people seek it only for playing games on it and already obsolete. But for few audiophile out there, including me, this is the treasure for one of the best sounding CD player for cheap. The DAC in this Sony Playstation SCPH-1002 is AKM4309AVM. The problem I had after using it for almost a decade is the wear of the optical unit. Replace the optical unit with Chinese made are not a better solution either.

2. The next good delta sigma DAC I will mention is the Meridian DAC 203 here. Although this unit is released around early 90's, but Meridian already put the delta sigma DAC on it. It is dual SAA7321GP. Honestly I like the sound from this DAC. It is warm and natural, a little bit mellow, not so aggressive and really similar to the Sony Playstation SCPH-1002 I had above. But of course this Meridian DAC 203 sound better.

3. No name Chinese made DAC using ESS Sabre 9018 here is the reason I want to experienced hi resolution audio files. It can playing 24 bit 192 khz sample rate which lead me to a disappointment. The sound from this DAC is mediocre. It cannot compares to the Sony Playstation or the Meridian DAC 203.

4. In 2019 I bought Chord Mojo portable DAC here. This is one of the best sounding yet affordable delta sigma DAC. It sound good in clarity, it has wide sound stage, and it is portable. When I connect this Chord Mojo to the external amplifier, it sound so much better than using it's internal headphone amplifier.

5. If I want to have an improvement in sound quality, so I shall upgrade to Chord Hugo here. The price is almost double but the sound quality is slightly better. In general it is quite similar to the Chord Mojo. The main difference between them is on the mid range. On the Chord Hugo, the mid range is more forward and more bodied. The sound stage are also improved over the Chord Mojo.

6. The cheap and the best delta sigma DAC under US$100 is this Massdrop Grace Design SDAC here. Now I got more confused on how come a US$100 DAC can have the audio performance near to the third times pricier like the Chord Mojo?

Then I got desperate that I should also spending another double cost to upgrade from the Chord Hugo to the Chord Qutest. I don't think the sound really get more improve because the DAC architecture is all the same. They are delta sigma DAC no matters it is on FPGA or on the shelves DAC IC like AKM, Crystal, or ESS Sabre.

So, I searching what is the very best sounding DAC and lead me to the vintage multibit R2R DAC. Even until today, the true multibit DAC still using and produce (with today technology: the discrete array resistors controlled by FPGA) by many popular audio brands. The price of good multibit R2R DAC are vary from US$800 up to US$150,000 and above. I also remember from the glorious days of audio on late 80's to late 90's, the time audio manufacturer push the limit to produce the only best sound quality possible. The shocking truth is, the best sounding CD player at that time are all using only the multibit R2R DAC which the sound quality from digital words are fully translate to the audio signal. Unlike the delta sigma, the bit is using at low-order 1 to 4 bits only, operating at very high interpolating rates. This delta sigma DAC comes on early 90's by the Japan manufacturer to dominating the market replacing multibit R2R DAC that manufacture by Germany and American company. It is become more popular on late 90's since digital portable audio also comes to the market as well. The delta sigma are easy to build, far more economical, and have better measurement on paper. In contrast, the multibit R2R DAC are require precision manufacturing, more complex especially on the architecture, yet expensive.

So I've fulfilled my commitment with all DAC I built in year 2021 are 14 unit in total. You can minus 4 if you think upgrading the old CD player or DAC unit doesn't count as a do it yourself project. So here is my full list of multibit R2R DAC that I've experienced. The list order are from the earlier to the latest DAC built.

1. PCM1702 The cheap and fastest way to start experience the multibit R2R DAC is by buying the CD player that already include the multibit R2R DAC. The Clarion DRX9255 EXL is the first unit I use and immediately I am blown away by the great sound of this multibit R2R DAC. This is a car audio CD player with dual 20 bit PCM1702 DAC.

R2R DAC PCM1702 Inside Clarion DRX9255EXL

Clarion DRX9255EXL Restoration & Capacitor Upgrade

SPDIF Digital Audio Input For Clarion DRX9255EXL

2. PCM1704 The next unit I bought and modify it is the Clarion HX-D1. Almost the same as Clarion DRX9255 EXL but the DAC inside is the latest generation, dual 24 bit PCM1704, yet the last R2R DAC produced by Burr-brown after the acquisition to Texas Instrument. In the datasheet is clearly tells that this DAC using 3 segment. But it is not telling about what other DAC after the R2R that Burr-brown use in it. Probably it is mixed between the musical performance of R2R DAC with the best measurement of delta sigma DAC on one IC.

DAC PCM1702 Vs. PCM1704 On Clarion DRX9255 EXL Vs. HX-D1

Clarion HX-D1 In Depth Analysis Compare To DRX-9255 EXL

Clarion HX-D1 Line Out Mod & Something Wrong In It

Clarion HX-D1 Final Mod Update

3. TDA1541 A and non-A This is the only Germany made multibit DAC IC by Philips. This TDA1541 A is the latest version of the original TDA1541. This is not ladder resistor architecture DAC. This is not R2R DAC instead using proprietary Dynamic Element Matching which multiple switch control the current. I had exploring so much this TDA1541 in my DAC project since it is easy to build, so the link is plenty.

Another R2R DAC From TDA1541 Inside The Sony CDP-750

Nakamichi DAC-101 The Hi-end Dual TDA1541 S1 DAC

Nakamichi DAC-101 The Internal Components

Nakamichi DAC-101 External Power Supply Mod (Part 1)

Nakamichi DAC-101 External Power Supply Mod (Part 2)

Nakamichi DAC-101 Op-amps & Capacitors Upgrade

Nakamichi DAC-101 Decoupling Capacitor Upgrade

DIY Portable Size USB DAC TDA1541 Headphones Amplifier

TDA1541 Portable Size USB DAC Thermal Improvement

DIY Non Oversampling TDA1541 FET Output Desktop USB DAC

Review TDA1541A S1 Single Crown "Hail To The King"

JFET Analog Output TDA1541 USB DAC, It Is Fail And Return To Op-amps

Objective Sound Quality Review DIY TDA1541 USB DAC

The Making Of Ultimate TDA1541 DAC (Part 1)

The Making Of Ultimate TDA1541 DAC (Part 2)

4. PCM56P This is the second very popular DAC IC inside almost any CD player after the TDA1541 at that era. I have this DAC IC's so much from the non grade, J grade and the highest grade is the K grade. This is a monotonic old vintage DAC and need a pair to make a stereo DAC.

PCM56 R2R Non Oversampling DAC Built

Simple Single Supply AC to Dual DC Supply For PCM56 R2R DAC

DAC LPF Op-amps Comparison OPA1642 NE5532 LM4562

DIY PCM56 DAC Integrated Gainclone Amplifier

Upgrade & Review The “J” Grade PCM56 DAC

DAC Power Supply Improvement In My Gainclone Integrated Amplifier

The "K" Grade PCM56 DAC Upgrade

Improve Power Supply Ripple Rejection For Single AC To Dual DC Rectifier On PCM56 DAC

5. TDA1543 This economical version DAC from Philips is the answer to brings the good audio performance like the TDA1541 for cheap. Previously I have built it and this year, I made another one using batteries.

Building Mini DAC TDA1543 (Part 1)

Building Mini DAC TDA1543 (Part 2 Final)

More Upgrade On Integrated Tripath DAC Amplifier

Tripath H2 DAC Amplifier - The Miniature Of Complexity (Part 1)

Tripath H2 DAC Amplifier - The Miniature Of Complexity (Part 2)

TDA1543 DAC Review In 2021

6. AD1862 One of the rarest vintage DAC IC ever. I am quite lucky to get a pair, because it is monotonic IC so it need 2 piece for a stereo DAC. The grade I got is J, which better than the non-grade version.

AD1862 DAC Build With The Schematic

7. AD1865 The most second popular vintage DAC IC after the TDA1541. Still easy to get, it is quite cheap and easy to build in non-oversampling or in the more complicated over-sampling.

Building AD1865 NOS DAC

Gainclone Integrated Amplifier With AD1865 DAC

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 1) - YM3623 Digital Receiver

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 2) - CXD1144 Digital Filter

Another Ultimate DAC Build (Part 3) - AD1865 DAC

Another Ultimate DAC Build - The Assembly DAC AD1865

AD1865 NK Another Ultimate DAC Update

8. PCM63 The very expensive and one of the rarest vintage DAC IC I have. If you looking closely on the datasheet, it shows that this PCM63 has dual DAC on each IC. It is monotonic DAC, so you will need a pair for building a stereo DAC.

Building PCM63 DAC Using The Kinergetics Research Chassis

9. PCM53 I add another one from my first CD player Victor XLV-90 that I bought in used condition when I was in high school. This is the longest CD player I use before it out of service (because of wear of the optical of course). I am quite surprise that this CD player using R2R DAC and the sound quality from this CD player are exceptional.

Being An Audiophile Is Cheap, The Desire Make It Expensive

I comparing those DAC in my home stereo system or with a headphone and amplifier. Perhaps you might wonder what are those equipment's, and here they are:

Amplifier: Gainclone LM3886 Amplifier, unpublished review DIY KT88 vacuum tube amplifier, Bottlehead Crack Headphone Amplifier, Hybrid Tube Headphone Amplifier

Speaker: 2 Way SB Acoustic Bookshelf Speakers

Headphone: Sennheiser HD600, unpublished review Koss KPH-30i

Digital player: LG CD/ DVD Player, Fiio M5 Coax Output

So comes to what is the tier list of those DAC IC I've mentioned above. This tier list are based on my own (and some friends) opinion when evaluate the sound quality and give the rank for each of them. The tier list is from the greatest to the lowest quality audio.

TIER 1: PCM63 The best sounding DAC with the smooth in all frequency response, great depth, large soundstage, very good details and very intimate sound is only achieve with this one and the only PCM63 DAC. The music played from this DAC are full bodied, every stings stung and all musical instruments deliver with emotional and passion. No others DAC can achieve this top tier list except this PCM63.

TIER 2: AD1862, AD1865 They are both have similar sound signature. Lots of details, great soundstage, good depth, very balanced sound quality and nice sounding vocal. The AD1862 slightly better on mid-range than AD1865, but you might hard to spot the difference when both DAC are test using ABX method in listening test. AD1865 is very easy to build and still easy to obtain these day. In contrast, AD1862 is one of the rarest DAC IC after the PCM63, yet very hard to build since it need 4 separate power supply for each IC.

TIER 3: PCM1702, PCM1704, TDA1541 I put those DAC as the third tier because they have their own weaknesses compares to above tiers. Lets say the PCM1702 and PCM1704 shared the same sound signature. Both of them have very wide sound stage, great details and speed. But both of them sound more analytical, more dry and thin especially in the vocal. In contrast, the TDA1541 has very good midrange. Very forward midrange presentation (can be good or bad, depends of the listener preference) with multi dimensional, multi layer depth of vocal sounds. But TDA1541 lacks of details, narrow soundstage and mellow. It is very opposite to the PCM1702 and PCM1704.

TIER 4: PCM56, PCM53 They are both the oldest R2R DAC from the same company. They also have similar sound signature. Both of them are sound good especially on the midrange, but of course not as good as TDA1541. This PCM56 and PCM53 have a good detail but narrow soundstage. Those DAC have many weakness especially on the sound presentation is lack of dynamic and the high frequency are slightly noisy. But they are both much better than any delta sigma DAC I've also mentioned above. For the PCM53 is slightly better than PCM56.

TIER 5: TDA1543 Smooth midrange. That is the only strong points of this DAC. All frequency are dull and collapse. The soundstage very narrow. No detail. I still think that TDA1543 is a delta sigma DAC but in more simple/ less number of the current converter (Dynamic Element Matching) architecture.

Those are my thought about the sound quality from each vintage multibit R2R DAC IC that I've ever built and experienced. Those are the most popular multibit DAC IC that have a good sound quality reputation among the audiophiles.

Actually there are few others DAC that I already had but not yet build. It is PCM58 and PCM61. But I guess I will stop here. I don’t think those DAC will add more tiers to the existing I had right now.

If you can build your own DAC, please chase for the highest tier first. The difficulty when obtain those rare DAC IC and designing your own DAC layout is the others things you should consider most. After all, those hassle is part of my do it yourself life and I enjoy every minute procuring all the parts and building those DAC.

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