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post #316 of 768
2/10/09 at 6:05pm
Ah yes...
Now back to the DAC...

The Cirrus CS4398 was another DAC I've been looking at and may be my next choice...

It is a logical choice for me as I would like to try something other then BB chips, even though I love BB.

Now is the Cirrus CS4398 the newest DAC from Cirrus ???

That is the question...

I don't want to put an obsolete part in my new design.

Sometimes it is hard to find the newest DAC from a provider, even when you research the DACs right at their website.
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post #317 of 768
2/10/09 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hotaudio40 View Post
If these are the headphones your talking about:

Phonak Audéo PFE
Driver: single balanced armature
Sensitivity: 107 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 32 Ohm @ 1 kHz
Frequency range: 5 Hz – 17 kHz

The key spec here is the 107dB @ 1 mW and the 32 Ohms.

The HOTUSB1 has plenty of power as it can drive 12mW into 32 Ohms.

I for sure WOULD NOT go with anything with more power then 12mW in fact I would almost look for something with less power, like around 3 to 10 mW if anything like that exists...

I know it will soon...
As soon as I get my headphones

I ordered them two weeks ago, and they were supposed to be here today, but we had an ice storm, so everything is slow now

The earbud curse!
Ok, I also looked at your ebay auctions...

What are the differences between the HOTUSB1, DESTROYER, AND MARK IV?

One suit me better than the other?

nG
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post #318 of 768
2/10/09 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hotaudio40 View Post
Ah yes...
Now back to the DAC...

The Cirrus CS4398 was another DAC I've been looking at and may be my next choice...

It is a logical choice for me as I would like to try something other then BB chips, even though I love BB.

Now is the Cirrus CS4398 the newest DAC from Cirrus ???

That is the question...

I don't want to put an obsolete part in my new design.

Sometimes it is hard to find the newest DAC from a provider, even when you research the DACs right at their website.
The CS4398 was introduced in March 2003, but it is recommended by Cirrus for "new design"

The CS4353 is cirrus newest DAC: introduced in october 2008, but it is not as good as the CS4398

The AD1852 is yet another option(not from cirrus though). It has better specs then the CS4398:
DAC DNR (dB) 114dB
SNR (dB) 114dB
DAC THD+N @ 1 kHz (-3dB)104dB

Or the AD1955 which is even better.
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post #319 of 768
2/10/09 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngsm13 View Post
Ok, I also looked at your ebay auctions...

What are the differences between the HOTUSB1, DESTROYER, AND MARK IV?

One suit me better than the other?

nG
The Mark IV will be to powerfull, meaning if you adjust the volum on your computer from 1% to 10%, the volum in your HPs will go from low to very high. Though, it is not a good option.

The HOTUSB1 is a good option if you like to adjust the volum from your computer. Like you would with the HP out.

The destroyer has in addition to HP out also pre out for an amplifier.

Both the HOTUSB1 and Destroyer have a max output of 12mV so they are suited.

Dave need to fill in the blanks here, and correct all errors . I think I might have missed something


EDIT: Tiny mistake. Described the wrong DAC at first
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post #320 of 768
2/10/09 at 7:31pm
Yes, that's all correct parra

I would recommend the 12mW option i.e. the HOTUSB1 (or the DAC DESTROYER if you want / need the RCA outputs).

The MARK IV is WAY TOO POWERFUL for those ear buds or any ear buds for that matter.
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post #321 of 768
2/10/09 at 8:21pm
Solid. Thanks for the help, I'll more than likely pick up a DESTROYER soon then... I'm just a little short right now...



nG
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post #322 of 768
2/10/09 at 8:54pm
Hmmm,
I read a little comparison between the DACs here on head.fi

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/cs4...arison-213448/

From what I read, and being BB biased, it seems the PCM1704 is the way to go.

But I am also a HUGE fan of simplicity.

I don't want to use too many chips, as I have to solder them all

I'm thinking 3 chips max...

And I like the stereo DACs over the mono DACs.

I used to do mono op-amps, but then switched to dual op-amps as I thought they sounded better.

Perhaps there is better synergy between the channels when they are together.
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post #323 of 768
2/10/09 at 9:19pm
The 1704 will need quite a bit of soldering

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post #324 of 768
2/10/09 at 10:10pm
Yes....

See that is the dilema in the 1704...

It has to be the 1796 I think...

Plus the 1704 is +5 -5 and I want to run the whole thing off one supply ie 5 volts and the 3.3V...
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post #325 of 768
2/11/09 at 10:00am
Well, after seeing so many people happy with these products, I've taken the plunge and ordered one.

The one that seemed most interesting to me, despite limited info on the website and no mention of it in this thread, was the Mark VII Bit-Perfect USB DAC (HotAudio site or eBay). Looks to me like a Mark IV with a volume knob, which would suit me just fine. Guess I'll find out soon enough!
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post #326 of 768
2/12/09 at 7:09am
Does anyone know if a USB1 would work well with an AKG K271?

AKG271:
Sensitivity 91 dB/mW, 104 dB/V

Rated impedance 55 ohms
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post #327 of 768
2/12/09 at 1:52pm
I can tell you the HOTUSB1 would put out 7mW into 55 ohm headphones, as to if that would be sufficiently loud...

I do not know...

Anyone ???
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post #328 of 768
2/12/09 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shimmer View Post
Does anyone know if a USB1 would work well with an AKG K271?

AKG271:
Sensitivity 91 dB/mW, 104 dB/V

Rated impedance 55 ohms

I think a mark IV would be better
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post #329 of 768
2/12/09 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by paara View Post
I think a mark IV would be better
Why? Because they would need more power, or just sound a bit better? I don't have $140 to spend unfortunately
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post #330 of 768
2/12/09 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shimmer View Post
Why? Because they would need more power, or just sound a bit better? I don't have $140 to spend unfortunately
The mark IV is more versatile:
- It has more power, so you can use it with many HPs. Even if you chose to buy a new pair later.
- It has a pre out so you have the possibility to add an amp
- I think 7mV might be a little on the low side for your HPs.
- You will probably notice the upgrade from the HP out jack to the external USB DAC even more it you go for the MARK IV then the HOTUSB1

Better to get it right the first time, then ending up buying 2 DACs
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