Javier
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Post by Javier on Jan 30, 2015 21:27:32 GMT
I don't think they do it for 'voltage' reasons but rather for 'isolating' as much as possible from the PC's nosy power though unless one yses a proper isolator it won't do much to reduce this 'pollution'.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 30, 2015 21:41:20 GMT
It may have to do with the design (if it needs other voltages) and or power consumption. It could also have to do with galvanic separation or to satisfy customers who believe an external power supply is better.
5V (as it comes from the USB bus) is usually regulated and lowered internally which limits the output voltage. When a higher output voltage is desired. Something that is 'louder' often sounds better on direct comparison so if a higher output voltage is needed a higher voltage is needed or internal DCDC conversion takes place.
Sometimes chips used demand more power than the USB can provide which dictates the need for external power.
Needless to say there now are lots of USB-stick type DACs that perform better than some of the more expensive mains fed DAC's
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Jan 30, 2015 22:27:02 GMT
The ODAC uses the ES9023 which has an integrated I/V charge pump and runs on a single 3.3-3.6V supply the other IC it uses is the TE7022 which also runs on 3.3V so a single 5V->3.3V should be enough.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 23:01:25 GMT
Thanks for the technical input guys. So, would it be right to say that in stipulating from the start of a design for a DAC that it should only have a USB level power supply one is actually narrowing the choice of suitable DAC chips? That seems daft, unless you believed all DAC chips sound the same.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Apr 28, 2015 18:30:35 GMT
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 28, 2015 18:45:38 GMT
It has an R2R chip so it cannot do DSD.
It's said it contains magic.... so who needs DSD in that case.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Apr 28, 2015 19:02:26 GMT
It has an R2R chip so it cannot do DSD. It's said it contains magic.... so who needs DSD in that case. i am sure it sounds amazing. for someone like me who does not understand the tech side of things, it is interesting when a company brings something out like this that does not comply with all the latest buzz words. i am about to dip my toe into the dsd pool (albeit upscaled from hqplayer) with a used idsd micro.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 19:05:35 GMT
It has an R2R chip so it cannot do DSD. It's said it contains magic.... so who needs DSD in that case. At that price it'll need to be magic.
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jkb89
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Post by jkb89 on May 2, 2015 21:01:43 GMT
Could someone recommend a budget DAC that would be an upgrade to my UCA202 and will match well with a Kameleon or Ember, when I'm in the position to bite the bullet?
Source would be PC, preferably USB out.
Cheers, Joe.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on May 2, 2015 21:11:47 GMT
Would you consider the iFi micro or nano iDSD "budget" or are you looking for something cheaper?
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jkb89
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Post by jkb89 on May 2, 2015 21:15:29 GMT
Is the nano around £165? I was hoping for something cheaper Javier
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 22:12:47 GMT
I'm in exactly the same boat Joe. I'd also appreciate opinions re toslink v USB. Anyone?
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Post by chinook9 on May 2, 2015 22:32:25 GMT
Is the nano around £165? I was hoping for something cheaper Javier I'm not sure about how shipping and customs might effect you but a few are available on the bay for quite a bit less than that. There is even a used one in the US for right at 99 pounds including shipping to US. To get a recommendation on a DAC, you should probably indicate the headphones you use.
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Post by chinook9 on May 2, 2015 22:35:27 GMT
I'm in exactly the same boat Joe. I'd also appreciate opinions re toslink v USB. Anyone? When I built my DAC I didn't put in a toslink. From what I read, I believe a USB "done-right" is better than the toslink. I expect the "done right" is the harder part but I'm sure there are plenty of good DACs out there that do it well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 22:37:47 GMT
Thanks mate. I have an ODAC right now & can't really fault it. I'm just looking into the future a bit. My Mac mini only has 4 x USB slots and I could certainly use them for something else.
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