ADC and DAC list.

[12afael]

A friend of mine want a RME converter. http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_adi_2.php
curiosity kill the cat ... well I begin searching info about the RME and it seems to use Cirrus logic ADC, DAC and digital transmiter. by other side focusrite seems to use the same chips for the ADC cards, look at the evaluation board on cirrus page and it should be close.

here is a good list of ADC and DAC manufacturers
http://www.interfacebus.com/Analog_DAC.html

here is a good diy project kit
http://beis.de/Elektronik/ADDA24QS/ADDA24QS.html

I search some ADC and DAC to know what is better , here is the list , at least 24bit, mainly stereo, 5V analog voltage.

ADC

Texas Instruments

PCM4201 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 112
PCM4202 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 118
PCM4202-EP 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 118
PCM4204 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 118
PCM4220 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 123
PCM4222 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 124


Wolfson

WM8785 SNR / THD (dB)111 / -102
WM8786 SNR / THD (dB)111 / -102
WM8781 SNR / THD (dB)102 / -90
WM8782 SNR / THD (dB)102 / -90
WM8738 SNR / THD (dB)90 / -87

Wavefront

AL1101G 24bit 107db
AL1201G 24bit 107db

Thaler

ADC150 18 - 24bit
ADC180 13 - 26bit

Intersil

HI7190 24bit
HI7191 24bit

Cirrus Logic

CS5340 24bit ,dinamic range 101db
CS5341 24bit ,dinamic range 105db
CS5342 24bit ,dinamic range 105db
CS5343/44 24bit ,dinamic range 98db
CS5345 24bit ,dinamic range 104db
CS5351 24bit ,dinamic range 108db
CS5361 24bit ,dinamic range 114db
CS5364/66/68 24bit ,dinamic range 114db
CS5381 24bit ,dinamic range 120db
CS53L21 24bit ,dinamic range 98db

Analog Devices
AD1974 4 ADC with PLL, 192 kHz, 24-Bit Codec, dinamic range 107dB.
AD1871 Stereo Audio, 24-bit, dinamic range 105dB.

AKM

AK4397 - 32-bits, 192kHz, 120dB SNR, -103dB THD, premium sound quality
AK4396 - 24-bits, 192kHz stereo, 120dB dynamic range, minimal out-of-band noise, low power
AK4395 - 24-bits, 192kHz sampling, 120dB dynamic range, differential outputs
AK4394 - 24-bit 192kHz 120dB dynamic range, -100dB THD
AK4393 - 24-bit 96kHz 120dB dynamic range, -100dB THD
AK4388 - 24-bits, 192kHz stereo, 106dB SNR, low cost, parallel control
AK4387 - 24-bits, 192kHz stereo, 106dB SNR, low cost, serial control
AK4386 - 24-bit, 3V, 96kHz stereo DAC
AK4385 - 24-bits, 192kHz, stereo, 108dB SNR, differential out
AK4384 - 24-bits, 192kHz, stereo, 106dB, single-ended out
AK4383 - 24-bit 192K 112dB DSD+PCM DAC, DATT
AK4382A - 24-bit 192K 112dB
AK4381 - 192KHz 108dB DAC; available, but not recommended for new designs
AK4380 - 24-bit 96K 100dB low-cost audio DAC
AK4371 - 24-bits, 48kHz, stereo, low power, PLL, headphone amp, line out, analog volume control
AK4370 - 24-bits, 48kHz, stereo, low power, headphone amp, line out, analog volume control
AK4368 - 24-bits, 192kHz, stereo, low power, headphone amp and line out
AK4367 - 24-bit DAC 8-48KHz with 50mW HP Amp, mixer
AK4366 - 24-bit DAC 8-48KHz with 50mW Headphone Amp
AK4365 - 20-bit 88dB Low-power w/PLL for CDMA, GSM
AK4364 - 24-bit 96K 102dB w/video clock PLL and S/PDIF TCX
AK4363 - 24-bit 96K 102dB with Video clock based PLL
AK4353 - 24-bit 96K 102dB w/integrated S/PDIF TCX+ DATT
AK4342 - 24-bit 96kHz DAC with ground-referenced 2Vrms and headphone outputs
AK4341 - 24-bit 192kHz 100dB stereo with biased 2Vrms output
AK4340 - 24-bit 192kHz 106dB stereo with ground-referenced 2Vrms output





DAC

Texas instruments


DSD1792 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 132
PCM1794 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 132
DSD1794 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 132
PCM1792 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 132
DSD1794A 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 127
DSD1792A 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 127
PCM1792A 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 127
PCM1794A 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 127
PCM1796 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 123
DSD1796 24bit SNR (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1798 24bit 123 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1793 24bit 113 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1791A 24bit 113 (typ) (dB) 123
DSD1791 24bit 113 (typ) (dB) 123
DSD1793 24bit 113 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1780 24bit 106 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1781 24bit 106 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1742 24bit 106 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1755 24bit 106 (typ) (dB) 123
PCM1753 24bit 106 (typ) (dB) 123




Wolfson

WM8740 SNR / THD (dB)120 / -104 Output level (Vrms) 2,0
WM8716 SNR / THD (dB)112 / -97 Output level (Vrms)1,1
WM8718 SNR / THD (dB)111 / -100 Output level (Vrms)2,0
WM8706 SNR / THD (dB)106 / -97 Output level (Vrms)1,1
WM8728 SNR / THD (dB)106 / -97 Output level (Vrms)1,1
WM8729 SNR / THD (dB)106 / -97 Output level (Vrms) 1,1

Cirrus Logic

CS4344/45/46/48 24bit, dinamic range 105db
CS4350 24bit, dinamic range 108db
CS4351 24bit, dinamic range 112db
CS4352 24bit, dinamic range 106db
CS4361 24bit, dinamic range 105db
CS4362A/82A 24bit, dinamic range 114db
CS4365/85 24bit, dinamic range 114db
CS4391A 24bit, dinamic range 108db
CS4392 24bit, dinamic range 114db
CS4398 24bit, dinamic range 120db

Analog Devices
AD1955 Multibit Sigma-Delta D/A, dinamic range 120dB
AD1853 24-bit 192 kHz Multibit Sigma-Delta, dinamic range 116dB
AD1852 Stereo, 24-bit 192 kHz Multibit Sigma-Delta, dinamic range 114dB
AD1854 Complete Single Chip Stereo Audio D/A, dinamic range 113dB
AD1958 Stereo, 24-bit 192 kHz Multibit Sigma-Delta D/A w/ PLL, dinamic range 109dB
AD1959 Stereo, 24-bit 192 kHz Multibit Sigma-Delta D/A, w/ PLL, dinamic range 108dB

Maxim

MAX5556 24Bit, DAC SNR 91dB, 87dB dinamic range.

AKM

AK5394A - 24-bit 192K 123dB, Highest Performance ADC
AK5393 - 24-bit 96K 117dB pro audio ADC
AK5392 - 24-bit 48K 116dB professional ADC
AK5386 - 24-bits, 192kHz, 110dB SNR, -96dB THD, single-ended input
AK5385B - 192KHz 24-bit ADC
AK5384 - 4-channel ADC 107dB SNR, differential inputs
AK5383 - 24-bit 96K 110dB Wide Temp Range
AK5381 - Low-cost 96KHz ADC 106dB w/defeatable HPF
AK5366 - 103dB 48kHz 24-Bit ADC with 5ch Selector, IPGA and ALC
AK5359 - 24-bits, 192kHz, 102dB SNR, -96dB THD
AK5358A - 24-bits, 96kHz, 102dB SNR, -92dB THD
AK5357 - 24-bit low cost, low power ADC for consumer applications
AK5356 - Low-power ADC for portable applications
AK5354 - 20-bit 48K 89dB with 2-input selector, IPGA
AK5353 - 24-bit 96K low-power, small size, 96dB


Rafael

 

[SSLtech]

Rochey will be along shortly to tell you all that:

"if it's no texas Instruments... it's crap!!!"

Keef

 

[Viitalahde]

I pretty much decided to NOT diy the converters.. In fact I think I'll start saving up for 6 channels of Lavry Blue.. :? :shock:

 

[jdbakker]

Nice list, thanks!

I find that, especially for DACs, the THD specs are more meaningful than SNR.

No two manufacturers appear to use the same post-DAC filtering profile, making comparisons pretty hard. Sometimes this is true for different DACs from one manufacturer.

AKM parts are close to impossible to get in small quantities, leaving Cirrus and TI as the only viable options for high end boutique/DIY converters.

JDB.
[just finished a PCM4222/PCM1792/SRC4392 board; doing all I can to make Rochey proud :grin: It's for work, but I'm seeing if it's worth doing a DIY release. Then again, is anyone up for hand soldering 500+ SMD parts on a 4-layer PCB ?]

 

[mikep]

Ive got a PCM4222 Eval board here. I mastered a few albums thru it. sounds good compared to the aging psx-100 I was using. but not earth shattering IMO. the clipping behavior is not pretty at ALL. I was starting a DIY implementation with discrete local regulators and a discrete front end.. (doubt it will measure better than the EVM, but what the hell, why not?) but that got put on infinite hold when I lucked into a used prism dream ad-1 /24bit converter. Ive started using that at the end of my mastering chain and it is kind of earth shattering.

[quote author="jdbakker"]
[just finished a PCM4222/PCM1792/SRC4392 board; doing all I can to make Rochey proud :grin: It's for work, but I'm seeing if it's worth doing a DIY release. Then again, is anyone up for hand soldering 500+ SMD parts on a 4-layer PCB ?][/quote]

that would be rad, please share if you can. I would share the details of mine as well, if I ever finish it. the general idea was an off-the-shelf OCXO module generating a fixed clock. the A/D and D/A both sync only to that clock. toggle switch on the front to select 44.1kHz or 88.2kHz, thats it. even with a cheap soundcard you can sync to spdif in, then the output from the computer to the DAC should be running at the same clock speed. you could buffer just a few samples to be safe I guess.

If you don't have good eyesight I'm told SMD is very hard, but I'm lucky in that respect. I did way too much SMD prototype building this week already tho, so I for one wouldn't want to come home and do more as my DIY. (all those sot-363 dual mosfets sure seemed like a good idea when I designed them in! yikes. the chipshooter robot will like them better.)

mike p

 

[Rochey]

interesting thread gents, I'm curious to see where it goes.

/Rochey "If it's not TI, it's CRAAAAAP"

:wink:

 

[ipagel]

[quote author="12afael"]

here is a good diy project kit
http://beis.de/Elektronik/ADDA24QS/ADDA24QS.html



[/quote]

has anyone tried this kit?
the guy who made and sells them was very helpful with the questions i asked. but wondered if anyone had any experience with them.

i fancied trying one to stick on the end on the summing mixer im about to build.

 

[Moby]

[quote author="ipagel"][quote author="12afael"]

here is a good diy project kit
http://beis.de/Elektronik/ADDA24QS/ADDA24QS.html



[/quote]

has anyone tried this kit?
the guy who made and sells them was very helpful with the questions i asked. but wondered if anyone had any experience with them.

i fancied trying one to stick on the end on the summing mixer im about to build.[/quote]
Site looks quite interesting . I wonder how it sounds? :grin: Also, the digi PPM (An FPGA-Based Digital Audio Peak Level and Correlation Meter with S/PDIF Inputs)
seems to be nice mastering tool.... I will post him that I'm interested in the project. Also it will be nice if the guy can arrange some ADAT input decoder for 8ch AD/DA :idea:

 

[12afael]

I `ve found that Texas Instruments has a software to evaluate a ADC converter.

http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/adcpro.html

I was reading this article trying to remember my DSP classes.
http://beis.de/Elektronik/DeltaSigma/DeltaSigma.html and is not so easy to read...

some one have more links to read maybe on antialiasing filters?

I find that, especially for DACs, the THD specs are more meaningful than SNR.

I want to invite to the people that know more than me :? to make more comments like this, tips or things that anyone should know about this subject.

I`m interested on a project like this, but the experience necesary for a project like this is a work of some month or even years. so if someone have more experience on this and want help to make a diy project available, here I am.

Rafael

 

[Tubemooley]

Cirrus, TI, AKM, Analog Devices. Forget all the rest up there. They're useless. I've studied all these chips for countless hours. I've done some prototyping and bench testing. I own pro audio products with various good converters in there. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm an expert. But I know a bunch about these chips. Right now, my favorites are the TI PCM1794A DAC and the AKM AK5394A ADC. And whoever said it above is right.... purchasing any of the AKM parts in small quantities is a nightmare. DW.

 

[12afael]

did you tried the PCM1794? seems to have better snr than the pcm1794A.

 

[BR]

anybody ever played around with any of the 8 channel ADCs chips??
Just wondering what are the options there.

I need to find someone that either OEM pci ADA cards, or someone that can design one for me. Any thoughts??

thanks
Gil

 

[playboss]

I'd forget about those "CODEC" chips, the DA side of things is especially bad with builtin "analog" switched capacitor filters,

 

[12afael]

there is a way of unite the signal of some ADC without a DSP?

 

[playboss]

i dont understand the question but these modern ADC-s are all hungry little number crunchers FYI. I want to buy the PCM4222 Eval-kit . Someone commented the Prism Dream beat it , I would bet to that too, but what can we do to live up to the challenge ? Ultra low phase noise oscillator wordclocking is on my todo list , what else should be done ?

 

[playboss]

someone here tells me opa227 is terrible. Ok anything else ? At least LVC logic and Scientific conversion xformers supposed to be good. Im thinkin about AK4115 now too.

 

[Sorr]

Does anybody know what Prism use?
Sorr

 

[playboss]

i bet: full fledged dsp , ultraclean master clock, entirely class-a circuitry :roll:

 

[Sorr]

Thats a start.
Has anybody looked inside to confirm playboss's bet?

 

[Rochey]

[quote author="12afael"]did you tried the PCM1794? seems to have better snr than the pcm1794A.[/quote]

We moved most customer over from the '94 to the '94A as there wasn't as good channel matching on the previous verion. It's the same for the '92 and '92A. I believe the specs between them are the same.

Also, Not all ADC's are power hungry - it all comes down to process and ADC topology. Traditional ADC theory is "throw more juice into it and you'll get better performance" (similar to opamps)

However, the '4222 has a different topology, allowing 124dB of performance for the same power consumption as our previous generation 118dB devices.


Finally regarding clocking - I've said here and on other forums, you can't beat a converter running off it's own crystal - it'll beat any PLL anytime. A recent studio by our golden ears guys in Japan found that by running a DAC from a standard AES/EBU (s/PDIF) receiver (that has only 50pS of jitter) versus the same reciever with a sample rate converter after it was that the THD of the DAC lowered quite a bit.

One of the joys of Sample Rate Converters is that they isolate clock domains of products, allowing each of them to run from a separate clock.

Best of luck,

/R