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CHEAP DAC KIT MINI2496 AK4396

DAC AKM AK4396

Introduction
       Stems from the desire to make DIY dac, with the first project-based DAC chip TDA1541 philips version of NOS (non over-sampling). My first project delayed first because of time, distance, and components. A strong desire to make the dac does not stop at all, so I decided to create an alternative DAC from AKM AK4396 chip based (Asahi Kasei Microdevices). I think this chip is "worth" from economic side,the price of this dac  will not hurt your wallet.

     If you follow the supplied kit from ebay seller is not totally wrong, don't forget to choose presoldered kit smd ic component (cirrus logic 8416, AK4396, hex inverter HC04) because this is the most difficult part soldered. Also don't forget to buy R-Core transformer that sugested with dac kit, good transformer to pair with this dac (after report of impression in diyaudio.com forum).

Some dac data copied from seller : 

• 128x Oversampling
• Sampling Rate: 30kHz ~ 216kHz
• 24Bit 8x Digital Filter (Slow-roll-off option)• Ripple: ± 0.005dB, Attenuation: 75dB
• High Tolerance to Clock Jitter
• Low Distortion Differential Output
• DSD data input available
• Digital de-emphasis for 32, 44.1, 48kHz sampling
• Soft Mute
• Digital Attenuator (Linear 256 steps)
• THD + N:-100dB
• DR, S / N: 120dB
• I / F format: MSB justified, 16/20/24bit LSB justified, I2S
• Master Clock: Normal Speed: 256fs, 384fs, 512fs, 768fs or 1152fs
Power: Dual 13-15V + Single 9-15V or dual 13-15V only

This is bareboard dac AK4396 unpopulated with simple signal/power trace route and Bill Of Material (BOM)  (credit to dario aka. cleve fremen of diyaudio.com) :

PCB with traces signal and power section

Link of Bill Of Material : 
on Scribd:  BOM AK4396 and AK4393/4395
on Mediafire : BOM

Please  notice to follow on BOM , that different value of resistor and capacitor LPF's section, in AK4396 use  : 2,4K ,150R  resistors and 680 pF capacitors.

LPF Section AK4393/4395 and AK4396 Comparison

On the output stage we have some option to applied :
- Opamp output
- LOT's (Line Out Transformer)
- Tubes output
- Capacitors output

I decide to choose first option opamp output stage because easy to implementation, simple, minimum workspace, also cheap. If don't like the signature of sound easily can swap out for change (use dip socket). This time i give a try opamp from Linear Technology LT 1361 (dual).

Tweaking

According to the BOM above, we can make some tweaking on parts : resistor, electrolytic and film capacitor, diode and regulator then applied to the specific section, especially LPF and Regulator.

My DAC AK4396 on the way of tweaking.

Update 02 October 2012

DAC AK4396 near final tweaking

1. Change Regulator 7809,7812 and 7912 to LM317 and LM337 (lower noise)

2. Change Standard Diode Bridges to sinterglass diode Telefunken (tfk) BYW54 (2A)

3. Change film caps on LPF section to sprague orange drop 330nf

4. Change PSU capacitor to Nichicon FW 4700 35v

Here the easy way to change regulators 7809/7812 and 7912 :

Change regulator 7912  to LM337

 Note  : To reach 12v on 7812 change R2 to 36k. or use LM 317/337 calculator. to find right combination between R1 and R2. 

Change regulator 7809  to LM317

Layout B1 Buffer by Nelson Pass - Shunt Regulator by Salas

A Layout for DCB1 Salas Shunt Reg made by my self, for DIY purpose.

Layout B1 Buffer by Nelson Pass - Shunt Regulator by Salas


Update 23-06-2011:

Finished pcb, i feel good at pcb made by local pcb maker. That is one marking
missing on capacitor power. Since on the bottom of capacitor not too visible.

Today is about one year, i just keep the pcb's, i try to finish this project.
Oh, my poor time to finish it. I have plan to gradually finish it.

Update 14-02-2013:

I Made mistakes in trace Relay delay section and diode masking orientation , here is my mistakes :

The Solutions are reverse front to back the  diodes and make a short jumper under pcb.

After fixing that problem my "HYPE" Salas Shunt Reg. B1 Buffer, normal and on fire!
Next time i will tweak for HOT RODED.

Finished Gainclone LM3875

After long time waiting , I finally made Gainclone LM3785 project  finish with wood enclosure. The size of wood box not too small or too big, enough dimension 25cm x 30cm x 9cm.

 

How its sound? I feel this is better than my LM3886 for slow/mellow music...........

My Collections of Vintage Audio Gear

Just showing pictures to remember and documented my vintage audio gear. The gear is integrated  amplifiers and CD Players, also speakers but i still find the picture in my computer. All item i got from flea market execpt speaker that i got from friend on Bandung.

This is SANSUI AU-555A 

Sansui AU-555A

Inside view of AU-555A

Bottom view AU-555A

Sansui AU-5500, next time i will update with inside parts

CD Player Philips CD880, original made in Belgium, good build quality and rare.

Philips CD880

Inside of CD880 with high quality parts

Closer Look at DAC chip, using TDA1541A Single Crown (S1)

Identify Good-Original Capacitors

       Long time ago i have mind to help people with a simple drawing that contain of typical / physical identity some big-original manufactures of capacitor. Currently i added six of them, that usually find on global market today and usually other "fake manufactured" hijacking design. This is quick drawing for guidance to pick good capacitors. Please do some search of data sheet capacitors on internet if you want make sure that capacitors is original, sometimes you can't find datasheet because of out off productions (too old), or missing datasheet from their sites. In this drawing include : Panasonic / Matshusita, Rubycon, Sanyo, ELNA, nichicon, Nippon Chemicon (UCC/NCC).

identify top-bottom section of capacitors
(Click for Larger picture)

Please inform me by leaving comment, then i will update periodically if i found some good information.