Updated: 23-Mrz-07

The "DDDAC 1543 MK2 STARTER KIT Family"
lowering the threshold.....

Introduction
It turned out that the DDDAC1543 starterkit was a great success. So many enthusiastic DIY has built the DAC with great pleasure  on the construction and the listening results afterwards.... So Of course I have made STARTER Kits available !! The KIT had to contain all BASIC parts with very little exception, like chassis or power supplies / Batteries and Tower Tooling. It should allow every one to built a working DAC with GOOD results !  The GOOD NEWS is, that now every one can start tweaking the DAC by selection afterwards, better R-load resistors, better decoupling capacitors and Decoupling caps..... or whatever you think is worthwhile tweaking....... The components in the kit are standard components, so exchanging some of them is hardly capital loss ;-) 

Tips for Tweaking the Kits

OK, OK, I understand, every one wants to improve immediately the DAC kits  ......... So let me tell you what I think (so my opinion !!) you could do to improve:

1.    Replace the output capacitors to BG (FX, N or NX), Auricap or even better Mundorf Silver/Oil or Gold/Silver. Or whatever high end capacitor of your choice.... This is the best possible tweak and should actually be done by every one building the DDDAC. Why is it not in the KIT then ??? Well, it is such a matter of personal taste, I rather leave this to every ones individual choice, taste and budget .... I am using the Gold/Silver ones

2.    Replace (only !) the 100uF/100nF capacitor sets AFTER the inductors (10uH) with BG or similar Electrolyte caps of your choice. For example 100uF NX 6.3 Volt or use FX, or whatever you think is ok. I used the BG 100uF NX 6.3 Volt and for the one decoupling the TDA1543 Tower 1500uF BG Type N. Bigger seems better here !

3.   A minor tweak -->  Play around with the Rload resistors. I have heard (use them self as well) Riken are very nice...... But just experiment !! Is more fun too :-))

4.    Bias Voltage tweaking....  I had several positive feedback (including my self) that when the Bias voltage (at pin 6 and 8) is between 3.8 and 3.9 results are optimal. It is not a BIG thing, but so easy to tweak..... For example, if you use a 24 dac version, make Rload 100 Ohm. On a 12 DAC you can try 200 Ohm. Always measure the voltage finally after half an hour when the tower is warm..... 

What Kits do you need to fit your need ?
Let me give you a few examples what exciting options you can create by using the modularity of the DDDAC 1543 mk2 :

 

Check the list with Pre Configured Kits First !  On Request ---- >  for simplicity, a number of "pre-configured" kits for "one click" buying or ordering

About the DDDAC1543-KIT Family
So what is you get ??? Check below the tables and you will see exactly what you get. These parts are referring to the file DDDAC 1543 rev 5.0 and will allow you to built a working DAC

Update in March 2007:  The new version of the USB to I2S converter and DAC 3.2 has fully replaced the "old" version and the list below refers to dddac-usb-1543-dac32

TDA1543 tower tooling
Precision tooled aluminum. Also see construction site. See picture below on top is what you get, below how it looks after you twisted off all the single parts.....

Note: The Tooling INCLUDES 2pcs M4x60mm screws and 2 M4 nuts to mount the tower on the PCB !!

Happy Listening and Building !!!!

Doede Douma

IMPORTANT: The information provided on this page is intended as guide for DIY activities and therefore free to copy and or publish. If any one wishes to use any of the information from my WEB site, please make sure to refer and footnote to my URL Link as source! Doede Douma