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I have been exploring the realm of the "low cost DAC". This is the second DAC that I am reporting on.
Now here we have a real contender - the "Little Bear Decoder v1.08". This is a 48kHz/96kHz spdif input DAC using a DIR9001 spdif receiver IC and the CS4398 D-to-A chip. The output is run through a 5532 op amp to provide low pass filtering and to buffer the output. The quality of the board seems to be high and good quality parts are used in critical areas.
I performed some measurements on this DAC using an M-Audio ProFire610, ARTA/STEPS and REW. For these measurements, the signal path begins in software, goes to the 610 spdif output port, into the DAC, and then back into an analog input port of the 610. Software can then evaluate the analog input (for distortion, frequency response, etc.). This signal path also permits me to do A/B testing (after level matching) of the 610's internal DAC and the external DAC using the 610's routing software.
I have attached the measurements I obtained. At both 48kHz and 96kHz the distortion levels are low and more or less input-level independent. I also took a spectrum of the DAC output for a 1kHz test tone, showing distortion products and the noise floor, both of which are very low. Keep in mind that the distortion spec for the analog input of the M-Audio Profile 610 that I am using to measure this DAC is 0.002% distortion (at 1kHz -1dBFS) and -108dB S/N ratio (A-weighted). Essentially the "Little Bear" DAC is approaching the measurement threshold of my equipment.
This is an exceptional product, especially given that I purchased it for $40 including shipping to the USA. Power is supplied via a single 12-0-12 VAC input, and a transformer is included by the seller (115VAC or 230VAC primaries are available). Once you connect the transformer the unit is ready to run.
If you are looking for an SPDIF input (only) DAC then this is really one that performs far above its price level.
Ebay link:
HiFi Digital to Analog Coaxial Decoder DIR9001 CS4398 96kHz 24bit DAC Converter | eBay (or search under "Decoder DIR9001 CS4398")
Aliexpress link:
Little Bear DAC on Aliexpress.com
.
Now here we have a real contender - the "Little Bear Decoder v1.08". This is a 48kHz/96kHz spdif input DAC using a DIR9001 spdif receiver IC and the CS4398 D-to-A chip. The output is run through a 5532 op amp to provide low pass filtering and to buffer the output. The quality of the board seems to be high and good quality parts are used in critical areas.
I performed some measurements on this DAC using an M-Audio ProFire610, ARTA/STEPS and REW. For these measurements, the signal path begins in software, goes to the 610 spdif output port, into the DAC, and then back into an analog input port of the 610. Software can then evaluate the analog input (for distortion, frequency response, etc.). This signal path also permits me to do A/B testing (after level matching) of the 610's internal DAC and the external DAC using the 610's routing software.
I have attached the measurements I obtained. At both 48kHz and 96kHz the distortion levels are low and more or less input-level independent. I also took a spectrum of the DAC output for a 1kHz test tone, showing distortion products and the noise floor, both of which are very low. Keep in mind that the distortion spec for the analog input of the M-Audio Profile 610 that I am using to measure this DAC is 0.002% distortion (at 1kHz -1dBFS) and -108dB S/N ratio (A-weighted). Essentially the "Little Bear" DAC is approaching the measurement threshold of my equipment.
This is an exceptional product, especially given that I purchased it for $40 including shipping to the USA. Power is supplied via a single 12-0-12 VAC input, and a transformer is included by the seller (115VAC or 230VAC primaries are available). Once you connect the transformer the unit is ready to run.
If you are looking for an SPDIF input (only) DAC then this is really one that performs far above its price level.
Ebay link:
HiFi Digital to Analog Coaxial Decoder DIR9001 CS4398 96kHz 24bit DAC Converter | eBay (or search under "Decoder DIR9001 CS4398")
Aliexpress link:
Little Bear DAC on Aliexpress.com
.
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