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DAC Kit - what else do I need?

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Suffolk Tony

Suffolk Tony

Aim low, achieve your goals, avoid disappointment.
Hi folks, I'm quite interested in putting together this DAC, of which I've read good reports - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gigawork-24-192-Up-sampling-DAC-DA-CONVERTER-w-USB-kit_W0QQitemZ120474001273QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0ccf5f79#ht_9064wt_996

It's described as a kit but I'm not sure what else I need to assemble it. I'm reasonably nifty with a soldering iron (Just fire up the good ol'paraffin blowlamp & heat up the big copper iron by laying it along the top...) but I confess I've no idea how to go about things, or where to get things like the case etc. from.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated, even if you think this isn't something to be attempted by an amateur like me!
 
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Looks like it has everything except:

1) Mains lead, switch, fuse, plug.
2) Case

You can get stuff like this from say Maplin, Farnell or RS.

Some very nice cases are available from Modushop in Italy.

If you have never built any electronics, I'm not sure I would choose it as my first project.
 
Hi Tony

I have this exact kit and I tell you you It's absolutely superb for the money.

You realise that there is a massive thread devoted to this DAC on Diyaudio.com:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/137976-experience-diy-dac.html

And on stereonet:

http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/showthread.php/16138-My-new-dac

There is no assembly required. Just connect the transformer. Plug in the cable of choice and play. Get the op-amp upgrade either OPA627 or LM4526 / LME49720NA its well worth it. Then when ready get output transformers. This will elevate this humble DAC to something special.

Any questions just ask.

Rich
 
Any way of making it accept multiple spdif inputs that are switchable (like you can with the buffalo)

If so, I am very interested in getting one.

Thanks,
Sam
 
Hi Sam

It uses the CS8416 S/PDIF controller so possibly if you are clever, then yes. You should put this to the Diyaudio forum. They will tell you.

A s/pdif controller like the one from twisted pear might do the trick. I have only used this with USB and single S/PDIF.

Pound for pound this has to be one of the best value for money DAC's out there. especially with output stage tweaks like transformers or tube buffers.
 
Sam I will drop a post on the Diyaudio forum for you asking this question. get back to you.

You can on ordering the DAC specify either CS8416 or DIR9001 controllers. The DIR9001 might be more suitable for you. You can also specify upgrade DAC chips from CS4389 to PCM1794 or PCM1798.
 
Thanks James and Si. I knew someone here would have an answer.

I noticed on Twisted Pear that every item they sell is sold out! Are there other alternatives avaliable?

Edit: I see the MUX module uses the same reciever chip (CS8416) so maybe some conflict may occur. Could you not use a standard selector module like this somehow?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Assembled-Cha...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335b27f697
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Yup, noticed that too. Am tempted to just wait for the Buffalo 2 to be back in stock (along with everything else)

Sam
 
Thanks for the advice and help chaps- LoBo, that link you sent me is extremely interesting & leads to lots of other similar sites so a ton of information to wade through, much of which is complete gobbledegook to me at the moment...

I think I'l go ahead and order this kit (the OPA627 upgrade seems a worthwhile addition). It'll be very educational for me & it seems there are innumerable tweaks available which I suspect will be quite fun to implement & will help teach me about something I'm keen to learn about.
 
Tony another thread has appeared regarding this DAC. This beastie now has a cult following!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78737.0

Much easier to follow than the monster Diyaudio thread.

Yes, just order it mate. You won't be dissapointed. Loads of fun upgrading in stages. Getting the OPA627 is a good idea.

Banzai music sell good op-amps:

http://www.banzaimusic.com/LME49720NA.html
http://www.banzaimusic.com/LM4562.html

Either of these will be an improvement on the stock amps provided and at the price worth buying to see which you prefer. Different op-amps work better in specific jobs so one of each on the board could yield a greater improvement. If you get serious about it then output transformers are the way to go.
 
Bought one, will sort out the specifics of how to handle multiple inputs and mod the heck out of it once its settled. :)

Sam
 
Good man Sam. Read the threads on tweaking it and you won't be dissapointed.

I have never heard the Buffalo DAC, and I'm going out on a limb here. Ready to be shot down in flames, but this DAC will surprise you. Possibly getting very close to the Buffalo for very little outlay comparatively.
 
Theoretically yes, though you are introducing 2 connectors and one relay in the path of the SPDIF signal, which is already vulnerable to noise and crosstalk.
The Twisted-Pear 4:1 Mux seems a logical choice to me - it uses line transformers and CS8416 to do the switching which makes more sense to me than passive switching.
I'm actually about to test this myself soon.
Yair
 
I would do away with the 2 connectors and directly solder the inputs if I went that route.

Thanks anyway, gives me something to ponder.

Sam
 
If going the tpa mux route I'd investigate bypassing the CS8416 on the dac board - there's really no need for that. You may be able to wire the output of the mux into the board after the receiver.
 
James Evans said:
If going the tpa mux route I'd investigate bypassing the CS8416 on the dac board - there's really no need for that. You may be able to wire the output of the mux into the board after the receiver.
Click to expand...

Agreed, as long as you have convenient I2S entry points in the DAC boards, otherwise this could become a bit messy.
Yair
 
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