Explanation about R2R DAC

[AlexMa]

Whoa. Pretty impressive to design your own DAC. Did you use an FPGA? Or a chipset? Or something else?

This is a minimalistic DAC, FPGA is present, no chipset, minimum active elements. It is only for DSD256, DSD512 and DSD1024.
Writing my software player was more difficult

 

[johncarm]

R2R DACs are a clear demonstration of the futility of some audio components. These include audiophile routers, external clocks, overly thick and expensive power cables, and many other unnecessary and sometimes harmful things.

I do have to say that I hear clear improvements from my audiophile router, especially when powered by a clean supply (battery with bypass caps). I also hear clear improvements from good power cords. I think the issue is that the theories that say these things shouldn't matter are just incomplete and don't represent the full extent of reality. I probably know what you will say to this, but this is my opinion of what's going on. If you want to discuss this further we should probably go to Sound Science.

 

[AlexMa]

Pictures At An Exhibition
Behind the Scenes of High-End, The Penultimate Meter

 

[theveterans]

I do have to say that I hear clear improvements from my audiophile router, especially when powered by a clean supply (battery with bypass caps). I also hear clear improvements from good power cords. I think the issue is that the theories that say these things shouldn't matter are just incomplete and don't represent the full extent of reality. I probably know what you will say to this, but this is my opinion of what's going on. If you want to discuss this further we should probably go to Sound Science.

This stuff too like the HFC MC.05 noise reduction power conditioner plug works too. Increases black background, cleans up bass and increases clarity

@AlexMa I’m guessing They have some of those noise reduction plugs on the wall similar to what I use at my workplace

Pictures At An Exhibition
Behind the Scenes of High-End, The Penultimate Meter

 

[johncarm]

This stuff too like the HFC MC.05 noise reduction power conditioner plug works too. Increases black background, cleans up bass and increases clarity



@AlexMa I’m guessing They have some of those noise reduction plugs on the wall similar to what I use at my workplace

Yes, I have good power conditioning, focused on parallel capacitance such as probably what's in the plug you mention. I have roughly 300 microfarads of parallel capacitance distributed through my house, with 100 more on the system circuit in a custom designed power strip, and the power cords are plugged into that. My system includes capacitance in all three positions: between hot and neutral, hot and ground, and neutral and ground. I find this system to increase the elegance and refinement of the sound. Once I got addicted to refinement in a revealing system, I don't want to go back. (However, in a less revealing system such as a car radio, I can still enjoy the music.)

 

[AlexMa]

Yes, I have good power conditioning, focused on parallel capacitance such as probably what's in the plug you mention. I have roughly 300 microfarads of parallel capacitance distributed through my house, with 100 more on the system circuit in a custom designed power strip, and the power cords are plugged into that. My system includes capacitance in all three positions: between hot and neutral, hot and ground, and neutral and ground. I find this system to increase the elegance and refinement of the sound. Once I got addicted to refinement in a revealing system, I don't want to go back. (However, in a less revealing system such as a car radio, I can still enjoy the music.)

I take power supply very seriously. Three years ago, before moving into a new apartment, I hired electricians to completely replace all the wiring. It was quite labor-intensive - 9 rooms and thick walls made of extra-strong concrete, since the house was built according to an earthquake-resistant design. But I always use the supplied power cables for all electrical devices. I just watch the color - white cables should go to white components, black cables to black ones.

I think the quality of the power supplies is much more important than the cables they are connected with. Let me give you a simple example: the Intel NUC mini computer has a power supply comparable in volume and weight to the computer itself, but if you buy a similar mini computer not from a first-tier manufacturer, its power supply will be half the size and lighter, and 10 times worse. Few people know that Intel has a special testing ground in Australia for comprehensive testing of power supplies, including generated electromagnetic fields in different directions and at different distances, and similarly for acoustic noise. Power supplies from other serious manufacturers are also tested at this testing ground.

It is clear that small manufacturers of consumer audio components do not have such opportunities to develop and test the components they produce. This is probably why their press releases contain so many beautiful words and so little specific data.

 

[Diet Kokaine]

Pictures At An Exhibition
Behind the Scenes of High-End, The Penultimate Meter

Given the logistical limitations of an exhibition environment, participants have to rely on available power outlets—constructing lengthy, high-end audiophile cables in real-time simply isn’t practical.

 

[johncarm]

I take power supply very seriously. Three years ago, before moving into a new apartment, I hired electricians to completely replace all the wiring. It was quite labor-intensive - 9 rooms and thick walls made of extra-strong concrete, since the house was built according to an earthquake-resistant design. But I always use the supplied power cables for all electrical devices. I just watch the color - white cables should go to white components, black cables to black ones.

That's going to great lengths, for sure! You mention computer power supplies (I think you were referring to computers). Do you find that LPSs are better than SMPSs?

For instance, I have a DAC that is USB-bus powered. I have a 5V LPS with a connector that disconnects the bus power and inserts a clean 5V.

I power my audiophile network switch with a LPS. (The networks switch doesn't make a huge difference and I mostly don't listen to streaming, so that's overkill, but I had the 12V LPS lying around already.) When I had a NUC I powered that with a 19V LPS.

 

[AlexMa]

That's going to great lengths, for sure! You mention computer power supplies (I think you were referring to computers). Do you find that LPSs are better than SMPSs?

For instance, I have a DAC that is USB-bus powered. I have a 5V LPS with a connector that disconnects the bus power and inserts a clean 5V.

I power my audiophile network switch with a LPS. (The networks switch doesn't make a huge difference and I mostly don't listen to streaming, so that's overkill, but I had the 12V LPS lying around already.) When I had a NUC I powered that with a 19V LPS.

It all depends on the implementation, as always. A good SMPS will be better than a mediocre LPS and vice versa.
About DAC power supply. Modern electronic components are very energy efficient, if the DAC is not combined with a headphone amplifier, then external power supply is unnecessary, because it will be connected to a computer with a high-quality power supply, since we are talking about audio.
For example, in February of this year, I made myself a DSD DAC. Its consumption is less than 200 mA.
I prefer not to breed unnecessary entities.

 

[johncarm]

It all depends on the implementation, as always. A good SMPS will be better than a mediocre LPS and vice versa.
About DAC power supply. Modern electronic components are very energy efficient, if the DAC is not combined with a headphone amplifier, then external power supply is unnecessary, because it will be connected to a computer with a high-quality power supply, since we are talking about audio.
For example, in February of this year, I made myself a DSD DAC. Its consumption is less than 200 mA.
I prefer not to breed unnecessary entities.

I find that a bus-powered DAC sounds pretty bad. My understand is that it's because the computer bus is so noisy with RFI, not that it's limited in current.

Also my understanding is that an SMPS is going to generate a lot of RFI into the component (of course it varies by the design of the SMPS). A SMPS also injects noise into the power line. In my apartment, my power conditioning (distributed parallel capacitance) is very critical as my roommates have dozens of small SMPSs plugged in. We have a couple dozen computers, tablets, phones, etc running at most times. I temporarily disconnect all SMPSs from my system circuit by flipping off a power strip for critical listening.

 

[Diet Kokaine]

I find that a bus-powered DAC sounds pretty bad. My understand is that it's because the computer bus is so noisy with RFI, not that it's limited in current.

Also my understanding is that an SMPS is going to generate a lot of RFI into the component (of course it varies by the design of the SMPS). A SMPS also injects noise into the power line. In my apartment, my power conditioning (distributed parallel capacitance) is very critical as my roommates have dozens of small SMPSs plugged in. We have a couple dozen computers, tablets, phones, etc running at most times. I temporarily disconnect all SMPSs from my system circuit by flipping off a power strip for critical listening.

Same. I think a Computer PSU is about the worst power that you can use for audio.
Switching Power supplies are extremely noisy for critical circuits.
I would use an external Linear Powered LT3045 module for whatever voltage is needed.

 

[AlexMa]

In March, I set up an Intel NUC for a friend to properly play DSD512 & DSD1024 music. It worked much better with its SMPS than with the optional LPS.
I personally use an HP workstation designed for creating media content. It has a very good SMPS. I have no problems with unwanted interference.
And just for information: almost all modern music, including Hi-Res formats, is created and recorded on equipment with SMPS.
The obligatory use of LPS is one of the audiophile myths.

 

[Diet Kokaine]

In March, I set up an Intel NUC for a friend to properly play DSD512 & DSD1024 music. It worked much better with its SMPS than with the optional LPS.
I personally use an HP workstation designed for creating media content. It has a very good SMPS. I have no problems with unwanted interference.
And just for information: almost all modern music, including Hi-Res formats, is created and recorded on equipment with SMPS.
The obligatory use of LPS is one of the audiophile myths.

I've tried both first hand in the same system. It's no myth.
The difference is quite large.

If you're happy with what you're hearing, it doesn’t really matter.

 

[AlexMa]

I've tried both first hand in the same system. It's no myth.
The difference is quite large.

If you're happy with what you're hearing, it doesn’t really matter.

There can be an absolutely massive difference in both directions. It depends on the execution.
For a professional workstation, the SMPS is definitely the best choice.
At home, you can use anything, for example, an LFP battery, and then you will not depend on the power grid at all.