K.I.S.S. USB DAC

[rickcr42]

Keep It Simple Stupid

and they did,in spades.

I realise many like their gear to make a statement but me ? If it can do the job and stay out of my way all the better and if the device in question has no actual controls that need constant adjustment then I to be honest don't even need to actually SEE it as long as it is doing the job.

This DAC is for those of like mind.Plug the sucker in,place it behind the system preamp and forget about it !

Pretty cool from where I sit and the fact that it reviews well makes it even cooler...and worthy of a link here




www.devilsound.com/


www.computeraudiophile.com/node/418

[rickcr42]

Also cool but not my cup of tea due to the integrated nature which means you either keep the whole shooting match (DAC & Headphone Amp) or gun both entirely when upgrading whereas with the Devilsound device you are free to use it with whatever amp you like and if something better comes along (USB NOS DAC) use that with your chosen amp.No built in obsolecence and unless I miss my guess we are not too far off from seeing true 24 bit USB playback making all the PCM27XXX based DACs more of a bridge to the future than they are a be all/end all USB solution

(notice also it uses bus power entirely,no batteries to replace )

Yes,the Modular System Concept works better in the home systems where space is fairly unlimited,but considering the very small footprint of the DAC Cable (remember it has a 2707 USB DAC,Glue Logic,a DC-DC converter plus a NOS AD1851 PCM DAC ALL in the same tiny case) which looks to be about the same size as a pair or RCA connectors plus the fact that you need NO additional power sources it would seem an easy "velcro that sucker to the amp and bounce out the door" solution to portable computer audio with the additional "plus" of damn likely fine home computer audio "plug and play" performance.

I come to that because the chipset used for both the USB and the PCM sections are the very same ones I use in my own DAC which is a "bastardized" Audio Alchemy "DAC In The Box" (extensive internal mods ) mated to a PCM2707 USB "Ramp" so I have an idea as to the SQ potential .

Bottom line is I like the concept and I like the execution of the concept...a lot.But as usual YMMV it being a personal choice

[rickcr42]

The best part, we have options.

I could not survive a DAY any other way (control fetish )

[rickcr42]

I could not survive a DAY any other way (control fetish

A bit off topic here (what else is new ;D ) :

When I deign a thing for my own use I layout what I want it to DO first and hopefully leave no option off the list so=

Stage 1-determine functions and mode of operation.what would I like to see in a commercial device but that for one reason or another is either not available or is done so poorly the inclusion of is worse than its exclusion

Stage 2-Figure out how to actually implement it with zero to minimal SQ damage.In short weigh the "yes I want it but does it do more harm than good ?" options

Stage 3-Design an "optimised" total defeat of the option/control so it is there when I want it but when not needed I want the basic circuit to operate as if it was never added.This is not as easy as it would seem at first look

Stage 4-Design the panel layout.It must not only have a place to be but must be both "intuitive" in form/function AND be placed where internall it does not mean weird grounding or wires where they should not be for ultimate SQ.Again sounds way easier than the reality

Finally,after I get all the prerequisites out of the way I again ask the simple "Do I really NEED this ? Is it worth the extra work and hassle to implement ?"

If the answer is yes then it becomes part of the final design.I want total control of my audio signals but I also want to have as uncluttered a path from beginning to end as possible.It is getting both on the same page that is the real bitch and what keeps me up nights AND with a pad/pen next to my pillow when I do go to bed

[Spirit]

We need more designers like you?

[merton]

that thing could probably be built for $10... can you pop it open and show us how?

[leo]

You'd be surprised the amount of IC's which are squeezed into the Devilsound dac
Its quite impressive inside, I've not heard one but seen the circuit description

[merton]

i wish they'd make a simpler version for about $20 or $30... i know they could if they wanted.... and it probably could still sound good.

[rickcr42]

Apr 27, 2009 2:27:14 GMT @merton said:

i wish they'd make a simpler version for about $20 or $30... i know they could if they wanted.... and it probably could still sound good.

the chip prices alone dispel that option

1-USB DAC Chip
2-NOS DAC Glue Logic
3-PCM DAC CHIP
4-DC-toDC converter

add to that the price of the passive parts and packaging and it is an actual bargain with the "plug it in and forget about it" part a real plus since it eliminates at least one digital interconnect (USB DAC to PCM DAC I2S cable) which alone would be costly.

In fact I could not DIY one for much less unless I used crap parts and an "ugly box" housing method

[leo]

Those look like Eichmann bullet plugs too!

[rickcr42]

Apr 27, 2009 14:46:47 GMT leo said:

Those look like Eichmann bullet plugs too!

they are and even better are the silver conductor version