USB DAC 2 - Hi-Resolution System

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USB DAC 2a - Hi-Resolution System
April 1 ^st , 2012 - working in progress ......

INTRODUCTION

Main specifications:

- XMOS USB Audio 2.0
- Asynchronous USB to I2S
- Supports standard sample rates - 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
- AD1955 Hi-end 24 bit 192KHz DAC
- Passive I/V with Caddock MK132 resistor
- Tent Labs shunt regulator
- Hybrid vacuum tube output stage
- Low output impedance
- No feedback
- Volume control with remote control
- Mute hardware control with remote control
- Soft-start for filaments
- Dual mono Virtual Battery operation
- MKP power supply
- Balanced and un-balanced output

see USB DAC 2

modular design

XMOS MODULE

I have tested these USB-I2S interfaces and I have found very big differences in the sound:

M2Tech module by AckoDAC (Ackodac)
XMOS by Lucian (XMOS-based Asynchronous USB to I2S interface)
Open Source by Qnktc (Q N K T C)

After 3 tests in 2 different rooms, 3 different systems, with 3 my friends I can affirm that XMOS module by Lorien is the best. There are many differences in the listening and only the XMOS has an open sound, full of details and never tiring. With the XMOS all musical instruments are easily recognizable in the sound stage.

AD1955 DAC MODULE SCHEMATIC

The DAC module use a dedicated power supply with a separated section for the analog stage.
A passive I/V has been created using Hi-end MK132 Caddock resisors.
The pcb use AD1955 mounted on DIP adapter to be simple for DIY.

I have tested 3 different regulators on AD1955 DAC analog power supply.

1) LT1086-5 considered a very good series regulator for audio
2) A very low noise shunt with no op-amp similar to Salas design
3) Tent Labs shunt

The low noise shunt sound a little better than LT1086-5 but the Tent Labs shunt sound much more better.

The sound with Tent Labs shunt is another world, all instruments and voices are distinguishable and separate.

This shunt allows a great increase in the quality of the reproduced sound.

AD1955 DAC MODULE PCB

CONTROLLER MODULE SCHEMATIC

To use the AD1955 DAC chip with many sampling frequencies is necessary to set the internal register of this chip following this table.

Others DAC chips like the TI PCM1794 and Wolfson WM8740 has a master clock detection circuit that automatically determines the relationship between the master clock frequency and the sampling rate.

In a direct comparison the AD1955 sound much better than PM1794 and WM8740 but you can use the same output module with these DAC chips and in these case you don't need the controller module.

The AD1955 have an on-chip click less analog volume control without lost in resolution and I have implemented this in the PIC firmware so we can save the money necessary to buy a DACT stepper attenuator.

In my first test I have used a little PIC to have only basic functions but in order to display volume level, input sampling frequency, USB link status and to have a remote command as been used a large PIC Microcontroller.

The controller module can be configurated for other functions like a stand-by to power-on manager with a separated transformer.

CONTROLLER MODULE PCB

CONTROLLER MODULE PHOTOS

video of the test environment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2LAQonTEXY

RMB-CM11111 DIY Wireless Remote Control Volume/Power

The remote command cost is 3$ by SURE Ebay store search for: 
DIY Wireles Remote Control Volume/Power/Color Definable

CONTROLLER MODULE FIRWARE

To program the 16F877A Microchip microcontroller I have used the PICKIT 2 USB Development Programmer/Debugger (cod. PG164120 or DV164121) with a cost about 40-50$.

I love the C language because it is very simple if compared to assembler.

The my C source has been compiled with HI-TECH PICC-Lite^™ Compiler V9.82 for PIC10/12/16 MCUs.

HI-TECH Software has provided a freeware HI-TECH PICC-Lite compiler as a tool for hobbyists and students, but the licence allows its use for commercial purposes as well. It is ideal as a teaching tool for an introduction into the 'C' language and embedded programing on a Microchip device.

Here you can download the last version of source and hex files.

The hex file is ready to program the chip with PICKIT 2 but if you want to compile this source code use the following line command:

"C:\Programmi\HI-TECH Software\PICC\9.82\bin\picc.exe" -16F877 Control22a.c

OUTPUT STAGE SCHEMATIC

My Hybrid output stage has been designed many years ago for an Italian company and it is used in a top level CD Player (value about 7000 euro).
The power supply use a 3A adjustable regulator LM350 with a soft start for the filaments at 12.6V DC and a dual mono Virtual Battery for the high voltage about 270V DC.
There are only 2 big 39uF 400V Solen MKP on the output of each power supply to get the best sonic performances.
As output capacitors I suggest to use only 2.2uF Jantzen Superior Z-Cap to extract all the details.
It is necessary an output relay to prevent the output of the voltage peaks during the switching on and off so this is integrated in the pcb.
Only two AC voltage are necessary, 220Vrms AC for the anodic and 15Vrms AC for the filaments, for the delay circuit with relays and also for the negative current generator of the differential amplifier.
In the PCB are present the components to create a version with balanced and unbalanced outputs but if you don't need balanced output simply do not fit some components (Q4-5, R66-67, R72-73, R35-38, R39-42, R43-44. R45-46, 2 x 2.2uF).
In the power supply has been used 2 x IRF740 and in the output stage 4 x IRF720.

PCB OUTPUT STAGE

TRANSFORMER

The power supply transformer has been created on my specification with an extreme low flux by Italtras.
The primary has been calculated for 260V instead of 220V to keep the flux at 14000 gauss instead of normal 17000 gauss.