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AC coupling

post #1 of 5
Thread Starter 

I have built an amp that uses an op-amp for its ground circuit

Now i want to build a DAC

I have noticed that the "ground" output of the DAC chip - Vcom is 1/2Vcc

To avoid any short-circuit problems between the DAC Vcom and the amp's ground circuit i want the output of the DAC to be AC coupled

Usually  the output filter is:

 

>-C-+-->

      R       To Amp

>---+-->

 

Can i use this instead to decouple the ground circuits as well?

 

>-C-+->

      R      To Amp

>-C-+->

post #2 of 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Costia View Post

I have built an amp that uses an op-amp for its ground circuit

Now i want to build a DAC

I have noticed that the "ground" output of the DAC chip - Vcom is 1/2Vcc

To avoid any short-circuit problems between the DAC Vcom and the amp's ground circuit i want the output of the DAC to be AC coupled

Usually  the output filter is:

 

>-C-+-->

      R       To Amp

>---+-->

 

Can i use this instead to decouple the ground circuits as well?

 

>-C-+->

      R      To Amp

>-C-+->


1/2Vcc is technically not "Ground."  It is only the center of the sine wave for the analog output (music signal).  Check the rest of the schematic for the DAC chip.  I'm certain you'll find other Ground connections that are not 1/2Vcc.  As long as the DAC and the amp are both negatively grounded, you shouldn't have an issue.  All you need is the "C" on the Left and Right signal leg to keep the analog output voltage from creating offset within the amplifier. 
 

 

post #3 of 5
Thread Starter 

(BTW the amp is kind of a cmoy)

I want the DC offset of the signal to be 0, especially when the dac is just turned on, and the caps aren't  charged.

With a DC offset=\=0 i will get a spike at the output of the dac.

 

If i connect the virtual ground of my amp to the usb ground - I will get an initial spike of 2.5V 

Additionally the op-amp on the virtual ground might try and silence the noise on the usb ground wire, or even worse - "fight" against the PC active voltage filters\stabilizers

If i connect the amp's negative rail to the USB ground, the initial spike will be 6.5V

If i connect Vcom to the amp's virtual ground,the initial DC offset of the signal should be 0.

But i suspect that the DAC uses an op-amp to create Vcom, and i don't know what will happen if I connect 2 different op-amps output to output (if they use PNP/NPN at the output i might even get some kind of a diode by connecting them).

 

My second suggestion totally decouples the DAC from the amp. From the DAC's side it will connect to Vcom and signal-out -> ~0V DC offset even when the amp is just plugged in.

Maybe i should use a transformer instead.

 

post #4 of 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Costia View Post

(BTW the amp is kind of a cmoy)

I want the DC offset of the signal to be 0, especially when the dac is just turned on, and the caps aren't  charged.

With a DC offset=\=0 i will get a spike at the output of the dac.

 

If i connect the virtual ground of my amp to the usb ground - I will get an initial spike of 2.5V 

Additionally the op-amp on the virtual ground might try and silence the noise on the usb ground wire, or even worse - "fight" against the PC active voltage filters\stabilizers

If i connect the amp's negative rail to the USB ground, the initial spike will be 6.5V

If i connect Vcom to the amp's virtual ground,the initial DC offset of the signal should be 0.

But i suspect that the DAC uses an op-amp to create Vcom, and i don't know what will happen if I connect 2 different op-amps output to output (if they use PNP/NPN at the output i might even get some kind of a diode by connecting them).

 

My second suggestion totally decouples the DAC from the amp. From the DAC's side it will connect to Vcom and signal-out -> ~0V DC offset even when the amp is just plugged in.

Maybe i should use a transformer instead.

 


None of this is meaningful, IMHO.  Small film caps on the output of a DAC flash-charge.  Try and measure a spike - I doubt that you can.  Besides, why would you have the amp on, with headphones connected, before you ever turn on the DAC?  I think you're worrying yourself to death, especially with CMoy-type components.wink.gif

 

post #5 of 5
Thread Starter 

I am worrying about the sr80 (and dt990 when it arrives) connected to the other side of the x6 amp...

I guess it should be fast enough no to cause a big spike at the output

I started worrying because i do hear loud clicks when the DAC in my sony x10 mini is turned on/off (probably to save power)...

 

 

 

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