Skip to main content

Detail PCB Way Built Quality For PCM58 DAC

This post is a series from my the previous post about my PCB order at pcbway.com. Please check the details on their websites PCBway

The PCB that I ordered from PCB Way is actually consisting of main board for PCM58 DAC with an op-amp output per channel for IV conversion and low-pass filter. This DAC is in non-oversampling and using shift-register for I2s input. The I2s input is chosen because it is more flexible for me to put the digital input module, either USB or SPDIF input, as long as the output from receiver module is I2s.

The other PCB is for the power supply board. This power supply is consist of rectifier and capacitors, then goes to DC regulator using 2 pair of LM317 and LM337.

Now let's see how good is the PCB quality ordered from PCB Way and how easy to soldering the pads with the components installed on it.


The overall PCB specification is 1.6 mm thickness, FR4 material with 2 layers of 2 oz. copper.

I ordered different surface finish between the PCM58 DAC module PCB and the power supply PCB. Surface finish is the holes pad surface are for soldering purpose.

I am using immersion gold for the PCM58 DAC module PCB, you can check the finish on the photo above and the first photo bellow. While for the power supply PCB is HASL with lead, you can check the detail on the second photos bellow.

The immersion gold finished cost more (absolutely) and has better looking than the HASL with lead. I cannot tell anything in term of conductor quality between them, but for sure, I have no issue when soldering the components on those PCB.




I just want to compare to my others PCB that I bought readily in the e-commerce shop, the quality is so much different. I can easily tell that PCB Way product is far way better. From the PCB total weight, masking finished, and the FR-4 material quality is easy to tell which one better.




Back to the PCB for this PCM58 DAC build, I have checked all connection between components and I didn't find any error. They are all made precisely based on the Graber files during ordered.

Since I already have all the components on hands, then I start to populating them. The soldering process is also easy; the lead easily spread through the soldering pad with minimal lead require. This is very efficient.





I checked all voltage and set the trim to make sure the output voltage is within the specification. After this process, I attach the heatsink to each regulator IC. Now this power supply PCB module is all finished without any issue.




This proses is the same with the DAC PCB module, I completed it with ease.




I cannot go any further since I still waiting for the DAC case and the transformer to come before I can continue and finished this DAC project.

Until then, see you on my next post OK.

Disclaimer: Any statement and photos in this article are not allowed to copy or publish without written permission from the writer. Any injury or loss from following tips in this article is not under writer responsibility.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OPA1622 Vs. OPA627 High Performance Op-amps Comparison

This op-amps comparison topic is actually boring, but at the same time, many of us still curious about what others think about it. The reason is simply because of the op-amps variation are hundreds and they are depends by the implementation. The op-amps are considerably cheap and an interchangeable electronic components but they are not built for the same function. So in this discussion, I will focus on the modern Vs. vintage high performance op-amps in the simple non-inverting pre-amplifier gain stage.
2 comments
Read more

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.
7 comments
Read more

TDA1543 DAC Review In 2021

It is a fine day and as usual I am reading and searching online contents related to almost anything I like. During my search, I stop to the few online forum discuss about a simple DAC using TDA1543 DAC IC. The discussion about this DAC was about 3 years ago, and the latest was about a year ago. Quite new and overall discussion about this DAC sound quality mostly are positive. It is interesting topic anyway especially I was built this TDA1543 DAC long time ago in 2016. At that time, I combine this DAC with Tripath amplifier  here  and  here  before it sold in 2019. That is also my first DIY DAC and I am quite enjoyed this DAC so much, at that time. The background story about this, previously I was using Sony Playstation SCPH-1002 as my reference CD Player. The reason I moved to this TDA1543 DAC is because the CD optic inside the Playstation is wear out and I cannot find the replacement for it. I pretty remember the sound quality of this TDA1543 DAC is quite comparable...
11 comments
Read more