Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › Should I make a DAC?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Should I make a DAC?

post #1 of 21
4/5/10 at 10:50pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys. I built myself a Minimax not to long ago and absolutely LOVE it. The sound is so much better than my Auzentech Forte... I can't even explain it. I also made an LOD cable so it comes directly from the iPods DAC to the Minimax.

I'm sure you guys know how all that works, but I was wondering... Would I notice a dramatic improvement in SQ if I made a DAC? If I did the source would become my computer. I have both optical and coax available. If it would be a worth while investment what DIY DAC would you guys suggest? My budget would be $200 at the absolute max. Difficultly wise, I can probably handle something intermediate. I'm pretty good at soldering, and I learned to read schematics.


Edit: Oh, my headphones are the Denon D5000s

Thanks for reading!!
Reply
post #2 of 21
4/5/10 at 11:12pm
In my experience, a DAC does improve the sound quite a bit relative to the iPod line out.

I have a Total BitHead I use at the office/while travelling and a Bantam DAC I built for home use. The Bantam + MiniMAX is a really amazing combo IMO.
Reply
post #3 of 21
4/5/10 at 11:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_equalizer View Post
In my experience, a DAC does improve the sound quite a bit relative to the iPod line out.

I have a Total BitHead I use at the office/while travelling and a Bantam DAC I built for home use. The Bantam + MiniMAX is a really amazing combo IMO.
How would an Opus compare probably?
Reply
post #4 of 21
4/5/10 at 11:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by -Eclipse- View Post
How would an Opus compare probably?
I wouldn't be able to tell since I haven't listened to one.
Reply
post #5 of 21
4/6/10 at 12:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_equalizer View Post
I wouldn't be able to tell since I haven't listened to one.
Yes, that would make sense. Thanks for the info though. The Bantam is so cheap, why? Is it lacking something other more expensive ones have?
Reply
post #6 of 21
4/6/10 at 12:32am
Since you already made a miniMAX, How about the stubDAC from millet I think?
Reply
post #7 of 21
4/6/10 at 1:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebasso View Post
Since you already made a miniMAX, How about the stubDAC from millet I think?
You mean the Grub? I can't find the Stub. Those 2 are so cheap, not a problem.. I just want to know why.
Reply
post #8 of 21
4/6/10 at 1:23am
Well, it should be fairly obvious if you look at the Bantam or Grub DACs. These are not your ultimate gazillion-input triple-regulated-overbuilt-power-supply quantum-level-jitter DACs.
Reply
post #9 of 21
4/6/10 at 8:32am
To start, when bought from Mouser, in CDN $ the WM8741 DAC chip on the Opus is $15.20. The WM8524 for the grubDAC is $1.40.

You can populate most of a grubDAC for the price of the WM8741 alone. The WM8524 requires less supporting chips and less board space, which equals lower cost.
Reply
post #10 of 21
4/6/10 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cobaltmute View Post
To start, when bought from Mouser, in CDN $ the WM8741 DAC chip on the Opus is $15.20. The WM8524 for the grubDAC is $1.40.

You can populate most of a grubDAC for the price of the WM8741 alone. The WM8524 requires less supporting chips and less board space, which equals lower cost.
I see. Well, thanks for all the input fellas. I'll probably get the grubDAC in a little bit. It should be a really easy build.
Reply
post #11 of 21
4/6/10 at 3:11pm
I believe Beezar will be carrying the cable GrubDAC in a kit soon.
Reply
post #12 of 21
4/6/10 at 3:28pm
For 200 dollars you could build a y2 full config. I believe it also uses the WM8741 and it sounds awesome. You'd get coax, optical and usb in. coax, optical and analog out. advanced reclocking eliminating jitter, and loads more. And all that in a package the size of two credit cards side by side. It's the coolest DIY dac out there.
Reply
post #13 of 21
4/6/10 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 
Ah, a GrubDAC kit would be great... it made putting the MiniMax together easy as pie. That y2 looks very interesting, I'll have to look into that more. I might just make the GrubDAC first and get an impression on that, then head over to a y2.
Reply
post #14 of 21
4/7/10 at 2:53am
+1 on the y2 suggestion.

I've also got a MiniMAX, driving my Grados. Adding the y2 definitely bumped up the SQ of my setup.

Also, you can start with a y1 and upgrade to the y2 later, if cash flow is an issue.

The y2 build was more challenging than the MiniMAX, but I managed even with my shaky old hands. You'll need a decent iron, a good magnifier, and patience.

Let us know what you decide.
Good luck!

Dave
Reply
post #15 of 21
4/7/10 at 12:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumbldw View Post
You'll need a decent iron, a good magnifier, and patience.
And you need flux remover or isopropyl. Most problems I had (and pretty much everyone else) were fixed after a good cleaning and possibly reflowing some pins. At first I didn't really think it would make a difference, but it did. A big one.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › Should I make a DAC?