| Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff |
| Headphones DAC |
| (1/6) > >> |
| Kasper:
Hello, I am looking for a high quality DAC for headphones. I am hoping to find a DAC that can drive headphones directly without needing an additional IC headphone amp but I am wondering: Is it worthwhile to look for a DAC that can drive headphones or should I look for separate ICs, 1 DAC and 1 or 2 headphones amp(s)? Do you know of any good parts or places for me to search for parts or good places to learn more about this stuff? Having trouble searching for this because the DAC category doesn't list power or min load and the amp category doesn't list DAC specs. Found a few parts but the few DAC specs they list aren't really great sounding. TI: TLV320DAC3203 Maxim: MAX9850ETI+T Analog Devices: SSM2518CPZ-R7 Tried googling best DAC for headphones and things like that but just get a bunch of complete products not ICs. Requirements: No DC blocking capacitors required Power efficient Analog outputs: 2 High quality audio Goals: Resolution: 32 bit SNR > 100dB Sampling rate > 300 kHz Package: small, preferably not BGA Output power high enough for headphones Loads (headphones): down to 4 ohms Bonus: Something that can drive a portable speaker like those common bluetooth speakers. I understand my goal specs might be overkill and I hope we can save that debate for elsewhere. |
| jhpadjustable:
Digi-Key or Mouser might keep slightly more comprehensive specs in their online catalogs. |
| Kleinstein:
It absolutely makes sense to separate the DAC and driver / amplifier part in two chips. This keeps the heat (though not that much) away from the DAC. Also DAC and amplifier tend to prefer different chip processes. Some of the other goals don't make that much sense: AFAIK the highers data rate audio format is 24 Bit and 192 kSPS. Even that is way better than usual SNR and BW of the ears (even for many bats). 100 dB SNR calls for a 16 Bit DAC (in theory and with the high sampling rate even 14 bit could do). |
| magic:
PCM2704/6, VT1620A, TP6911, ... :-DD Such chips exist. They are neither particularly spectacular DACs nor particularly spectacular power amps. Many have outputs referenced to midsupply rather than ground. High end DACs may not even have voltage outputs but current outputs designed for an external I/V stage. Not that it prevents anyone from doing otherwise, and there are people who swear by the sound of vintage R2R DACs with "passive I/V" (aka a load resistor) or perhaps even driving headphones directly but that's a peculiar fetish which may not be appreciated by everyone. If a DAC has voltage output, it is likely to be weak-ass plus see the post above. Even opamps have problems with output transistors heating up the input stage. |
| Gyro:
--- Quote from: Kasper on December 11, 2019, 07:31:54 am ---I understand my goal specs might be overkill and I hope we can save that debate for elsewhere. --- End quote --- Hard to do that when your requirements (at least for any direct drive DAC) make your goal impossible. |
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