First of all thanks for encouraging me. What I have done so far:   1. Tried a different source. I plugged it in the USB hub of my raspberry pi. Same problem.   2. Desoldered the mica cap and got it one mm deeper into the PCB but the lead space on this one is simply too big to get it...

Unfortunately I'm experiencing the same issue as Mullet. When Volume is low or no music is playing I sometimes hear a pulsing noise lasting one or two seonds. There also is a frequent crackling sound. Those sounds aren't very loud but quite anoying. Only the left channel is affected. I...

Thanks for the compliment tomb. I use a Weller WTCPS with a 60° 3mm wide bevel tip. I solder at 310° C. The flux I used in large amounts is a FSW-32 "solderoil" from Felder. Solder wire is a 0.5 mm Sn60Pb38Cu2. I really took all the time I needed for construction. In my oppinion preparation...

As promised a picture. To be honest I'm quite proud of my first smd hand soldering job.   http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/p1000190jx.jpg/

A nother Pup DAC is alive.  It took me about 6h to build. Since I had zero experience I was postponing the constuction as far as possible in order to get decent equipment. It's hard to believe but here in germany it is close to impossible for a starving student like me to buy german made...