Three DACs free build from me

[kaushik]

I have seen people are very afraid to do DIY .
So i have added this in another thread ,also adding here for
clarity..

If components/kit made available (member buys from online shop etc) .. i will do free assembly for three kits.. (1kit per member).

Just drop a pm ..how you want to get it done ie at your place for bangalore members or at mine.
Update:
Group buy of DAC kit
the summery here :http://www.hifivision.com/general-chit-chat/6795-three-dacs-free-build-me-3.html#post85117

 

[audiodelic]

count me in the long run

 

[gvenu]

thanks for your good initiative!

Venu

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I can even do brazing, and delicate red-heat jewellery soldering in silver and gold --- but still find electrical soldering daunting. Matter of practice, I suppose.

Most of us also do not have a clue why we are connecting the components, or what they do.

Nice offer!

(Sorry: I can't reciprocate with the jewellery; I no longer have my gear)

 

[suri]

I have seen people are very afraid to do DIY .
So i have added this in another thread ,also adding here for
clarity..

If components/kit made available (member buys from online shop etc) .. i will do free assembly for three kits.. (1kit per member).

Just drop a pm ..how you want to get it done ie at your place for bangalore members or at mine.

please sign me up - i have sent you a pm and posted on the other thread also

thanks for the very kind offer!

 

[suri]

I have seen people are very afraid to do DIY .
So i have added this in another thread ,also adding here for
clarity..

If components/kit made available (member buys from online shop etc) .. i will do free assembly for three kits.. (1kit per member).

Just drop a pm ..how you want to get it done ie at your place for bangalore members or at mine.

hi kaushik,

i just went to AMB site and after locating the parts needed for the gamma 2 DAC, my head is spinning 45 rpm!

much too complex for me to even know what to order.

does not come as a complete kit - there is a parts list and three/four different vendors.

please put me out of my misery, and do the ordering for me!

regards

 

[spirovious]

Consider me to whenever I PM you.:licklips:

 

[suri]

i can see a fabulous application for this DAC-

iTunes + airport express + this gamma2 DAC and one can use laptop as a (wireless) source with input to a preamp/integrated.

 

[madbullram]

As i said, can you also post recommendation for kits? This will help people who aint much informed to get the right kit.

 

[thevortex]

A fine and gracious offer, Kaushik! Hope there is mutual benefit for the members and yourself.

 

[tally3tally]

i can see a fabulous application for this DAC-

iTunes + airport express + this gamma2 DAC and one can use laptop as a (wireless) source with input to a preamp/integrated.

Brother i maybe wrong but this idea may not work
the Airport Express AFAIK has a 3.5mm audio jack for the streaming part of the music and a USB for priting sharing
Apple - AirPort Express - Tech Specs

you need to have a digital input for a DAC to Work not a analog one
tellme if im wrong.....


Edit
i was wrong

i just went to AMB site and after locating the parts needed for the gamma 2 DAC, my head is spinning 45 rpm!

much too complex for me to even know what to order.

does not come as a complete kit - there is a parts list and three/four different vendors.

please put me out of my misery, and do the ordering for me!

This is not that difficult
see the parts list at AMB has supplier websites Mouser ,Digi-Key ,Farnell ,RS listed along with the part nos of the products required from the respective websites so all you have to do is punch in the nos at these sites and add them to your BOM
cheers

 

[suri]

Brother i maybe wrong but this idea may not work
the Airport Express AFAIK has a 3.5mm audio jack for the streaming part of the music and a USB for priting sharing
Apple - AirPort Express - Tech Specs

you need to have a digital input for a DAC to Work not a analog one
tellme if im wrong

hi tally3tally, thanks for the shopping hints - but still too complex for me!

airport express does have digital output - both analogue and digital outputs in one jack -

Interfaces

* 802.11n wireless
* One 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port for connecting a DSL modem, cable modem, or Ethernet network
* USB port for connecting a USB printer4
* 3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound
* Built-in power supply

 

[tally3tally]

* 3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound

i maybe arguing on this one
and i did see that detail
but i have not seen a airport extreme personally

and am not sure how a audio jack is able to output digital signals what kind of connector would let you do so... Proprietary???

 

[suri]

i maybe arguing on this one
and i did see that detail
but i have not seen a airport extreme personally

and am not sure how a audio jack is able to output digital signals what kind of connector would let you do so... Proprietary???

here is a link -

XtremeMac XtremeHD Toslink Audio Cable for Apple TV (4 m/13.1 ft.) - Apple Store (U.S.)

Overview
The XtremeHD Toslink audio cable connects sources such as Apple TV, CD players, DVD players, satellite dish receivers and cable boxes to your A/V receiver or television, delivering a crisp digital audio signal. Pair it with an XtremeMac XtremeHD video cablecomponent HDMI or HDMI to DVIfor a complete audio/video connection.

And don't be fooled by the compact design. XtremeMac's XtremeHD Toslink fiber optic cable is constructed with the highest-quality materials available. Its high-quality fiber optics ensure pristine digital audio, while the durable rubber overmolding insulates and protects the cable and connector.

Features

* Delivers digital audio from Apple TV or other A/V components to your receiver or television
* Included adapter connects any 3.5 mm optical digital audio jack to a Toslink jackperfect for connecting Apple computers or AirPort Express to A/V receivers or TVs
* High-quality fiber optics ensure pristine digital audio signals.
* Durable rubber overmolding protects cable and connector
* Pair with an XtremeHD video cable for complete A/V connection
* Convenient 4 m/13.1 ft. length

i have been using macs for the last nine years (more for video than audio!) and have been using airport express for internet (not for audio )

regards

edit - all apple laptops have digital optical ouptut and analogue outputs built into one jack (3.5 mm audio out)

 

[audiodelic]

i maybe arguing on this one
and i did see that detail
but i have not seen a airport extreme personally

and am not sure how a audio jack is able to output digital signals what kind of connector would let you do so... Proprietary???

Hosa OPQ-210 Optical Cable, 3.5 mm to Toslink, 10 ft.

 

[kaushik]

sorry for replying late was in discussion with a senior audiophile..reading all posts ..i will reply here i a few minutes...
.....>printing page 1...
==========================

audiodelic ,
the second batch will pay minimal fee, that it how this is designed.
Thad E,
Compnents are just like people coming to office .. we have to make them sit in respective
cubicles.

Suri ,
you are have recieved free early bird 1 ,registration.
y1 is good one i was flying my plane over that site ..
landed few times with buy link... need to check the headfi thread
to comment

spirovious ,
Early bird 2 : you are in.PM is mandatory .'just write any query or line'
madbullram,
i am coming up with a list , a few simple tips like what one can connect
and how to cut the cost...
vortex, i hope people get the benefit and i can have a fair idea of the
sound signature of the DAC and components used.
===================================

 

[kaushik]

hi tally3tally, thanks for the shopping hints - but still too complex for me!

airport express does have digital output - both analogue and digital outputs in one jack -

Interfaces

* 802.11n wireless
* One 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port for connecting a DSL modem, cable modem, or Ethernet network
* USB port for connecting a USB printer4
* 3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound
* Built-in power supply

suri is correct ,
refer this page , Using Apple's AirPort Express with a DAC: A how-to guide | Crave - CNET
we need to get the DAC kit that has same i/p options as the the DAC mentioned .

About this thread :
--------------------------------------------------------
List of members requested and added for free build
-------------------------------------------------------

Suri - Member 1
spirovious - Member 2
?? - Member 3 , empty (fast filling )

Confused members can wait for completion of the first 3 DACs.
--------------------------------------------------------
List of kits
--------------------------------------------------------
1 )DAC y1: Just 31$ ..(did i calculate well)

+ toroidal PSU cost(unknown)/SMPS (approx 2$) + locally done case (<10$)
- Supports USB, S/PDIF coax and optical inputs (switchable).
-24-bit 192KHz high-performance Wolfson ?? oversampling DAC
2) DAC y2
-uses Y1 board ,with extra add ons ,better performance than Y1

- Ultra-low jitter onboard CMOS oscillator for IS master clock
-Analog line outputs (RCA jacks and 3.5mm stereo mini jack),
with high output current and low output impedance.

3)Opus dac :

$55.00 (un-assembled ,assembled =175$ )
-based around the Wolfson's top of-the-line WM8741
-It offers I2S and DSD inputs
-Separate analog and digital power sections with LDO
from National Semiconductor

there is shipping and customs,so if individually ordered
cost will go 30 -40% extra. And we all know group buys
fail all the time.

list to be updated ... inputs from forum members awaited
for a useful kit list

 

[grubyhalo]

Here are a few DIY DACs that I've heard good things about:

Opus - A Balanced DAC

The Buffalo DAC

Peter Daniel NOS DAC

24bit/192KHz DAC DIY KIT , FULL ASSEMBLED KIT - eBay (item 330372149989 end time Nov-04-09 00:59:23 PST)

 

[iaudio]

Kaushik, Ygpm.

 

[spirovious]

Gamma-2 (y-2) DAC

Kits on ebay.

24bit/192Hz HI-FI DAC DIY KIT , ASSEMBLED MODULE on eBay (end time 29-Oct-09 09:00:27 GMT)