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Home -> Listening To -> DDDAC 1543 MK2
DDDAC 1543 MK2
Head-Fi is now my second best friend for audio questions in internet :-) (obviously, the first is Google). Especially in the forum zone there are plenty of useful informations. In searching for a valid cd-transport alternative to my current (and old) Pioneer PD-S06, i have found a more interesting idea; building an high quality audio music server. Is audio quality a must? Well, USB DAC is the solution... However commercial DAC's are very expensive, therefore DIY is mandatory here!
Doede Douma's DDDAC 1543 MK2 is a really interesting project. Contrarily to generic iper-custom DIY projects, this has a modular design that is adaptable to various customers needs.
I have opted for a USB/I2S kit and 2 dac modules.
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This is an USB to I2S converter based on the Texas Instruments PCM2707 chip. The Tent X0 Clock and the external +12Vdc power supply are really interesting features. This is also a fully functional low cost built-in dac solution, with basic audio capability.
Circuit board design is compact and linear, power planes are very well designed. The double layer circuit board came with solder mask and simbology. The smd chips are already soldered on it. Assembly is a really simple task here!
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The DAC module is based on the Philips TDA1543. This chip is already well known in the DIY community. However Doede's solution is a step further. Power section is well planned, power planes are ok and mechanical skill is not demanded because dissipator tower is builded with aluminium parts already shaped!
I'm not a professional solderer and therefore i have inserted a flat washer between the first dissipation element and the circuit board to avoid short circuit with the first chip's pins. Cooling paste is not essential; however I use it because solder every chip of the tower in vertical position is much more simple for me if cooling paste help to mechanically lock it in the correct position.
I have tested the DAC with the MingDa MC6-AE headphone amplifier. Sound is merely...incredible! Tonal range is so large, instrument and voice are so well defined.... The differences from 1 dac module and 2 is so manifest that now I have only this question that torment himself: "Why give up the 4 dac version?"
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Battery is well suitable for testing purpose, but my target is a standalone DAC in a standard 430mm cabinet with no other jigger. A linear power supply seem the odd solution (at least at the first trial). In the Doede Douma's website there are already two interesting project. However I'm interested in testing a more simple design. The basic idea is to power every dac tower separately using a 7812, 1.5A regulator. This is the schematic:
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This solution working ok and I haven't hear any sound difference from the battery version. The only drawback is that 7812 dissipator is rather large and became as hot as the dac towers.
This is the wooden box for the dac and the power supply:
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In a DIY projects, trial time is much fan than building time. Expecially in the audio field DIY and DHY (Do Hear Yourself) make the best cost-benefit compromise.
During the audio tests of this kit, my small 12V-3A battery obviously quickly discharge. After a lot of boring "listening-recharging" cicles I powered the dac via a 12V 300W pc power supply. First impression seems that I can't hear any sound difference using this switching power supply or the battery. Subsequently, I have extensively tested these solutions:
Battery
Linear power supply
Switching power supply
and finally, first impression is undoubtely confirmed. I can now surely imagine the scepticism of the so-called audiophiles: "A switching power supply for an high quality audio device? Absolutely impossible!"
This is the brief story that lead me to the "second power supply". I would make a clear statement: the choice isn't a cheap one that we can buy for 10-20 euros in a supermarket but an high-quality product, well designed, well filtered and shielded; a 12Vdc 5A switching power supply that cost nearly 50-100 euros.
This solution is really profitable: higher efficiency, smaller size and lighter weight. And, last but not least, the 430mm box can now easily contain a 4 tower dac modules kit plus the power supply:
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And now it's time for the main test, the "family" test. In short, it's time for the livingroom! Here I and my family can severely judge the audio performance of the MoSAP + DAC in the usual audio system:
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Last update: 08/07/2006 - SimCap - www.simonecapretti.eu
