DIY DACs

hagtech · « **on:** 30 Aug 2005, 07:44 pm »

Was googling around for other DIY DACs you can build. Most are simple TDA1541 or TDA1543 architectures, often non-oversampled with no output filter. Not much else available comparable to the CHIME. Hey, that's good for me!

But I found one good alternative - the "Rakk Dac". It looks to be a nicely done set of boards. Seems to have most of the same superb features of the HAGDAC, including reclocking, but uses a segmented sigma-delta converter (PCM1794), instead of the more expensive multi-bit type (PCM1704). Still, it offers a comparable solution. The main difference is in the cost.

Rakk ($250) + Tent ($250) + Output ($500) + Supply ($250) + Transformer ($150) = $1400. And that doesn't include a chassis. A full-blown CHIME (with chassis) will cost you about $925 DIY.

Any other DIY DACs out there worth looking at?

jh

Tirade · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Aug 2005, 07:50 pm »

Are you referring to DIY DAC's in general or DIY USB DAC's?

Here is a popular DIy USB DAC thats about $75 plus shipping. They sell out as soon as they get them in (usually 10-20 kits at a time), more are due in next month.

http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/report/d3/d3.html

http://www.audioworkshop.com.hk/index_en.htm

hagtech · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Aug 2005, 09:27 pm »

Maybe we should limit this to DIY that are NOT 16-bit. Doesn't have to be USB. Just curious if there is anything else out there that attacks the high-end.

jh

Tirade · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Aug 2005, 09:34 pm »

I only know of the DAC-68 and DAC-60 found here

http://eshop.diyclub.biz/index.php?cPath=23

Both seem to get good reviews. The DAC-68 is suposedly very nice and the kit is $200 less than the completed price.

paba · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 02:28 pm »

partial DIY, (no chassis as option) but might be a dac that is close in features to yours..
TwinDAC battery power, USB, transformer I/V, reclocker..
I haven't heard it myself and no relation.

http://www.twindac.com

certainly between yours and this one two of the best recent and available designs.

cheers
Paba

BWentler · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 09:19 pm »

Here is another DIY DAC kit:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=609968#post609968

Bruce

GBB · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 10:21 pm »

Jim,
This project doesn't directly compete with yours - its a TDA1541a DAC and there is only a circuit board available. You have to buy all the parts yourself and put it together. Sort of like your half-kits but with less support.

Anyway the webpage describing it is here:
http://users.verat.net/~pedjarogic/audio/tda1541a_dac/tda1541a_dac_rev.htm

I've built one of these and can confirm that it sounds very nice indeed.

---Gary