Tag:

AK4493

W-DAC S 4493 – I2C controlled version of W-DAC 4493

by nihtila December 28, 2020

written by nihtila

This board is a software-controlled version of W-DAC 4493, plus a few tricks added to improve it’s practical performance and usability especially in preamplifier applications. Another new feature not possible in HW-controlled version is DSD support. Here are the new features summarised:

I2C-controlled – requires a microcontroller (e.g. Arduino) or any I2C host for control firmware
- Control firmware is not provided but there are code snippets on how to get it up and running
- Note that I2C control is required to get any audio out of the DAC
DSD support
Automatic hardware output mute
- Very useful in preamp application to avoid pops at power-up and shutdown
Hybrid volume control – digital volume and one-step relay attenuation
- Greatly improves performance in practical volume levels in preamp use

December 28, 2020 1 comment

Final W-DAC 4493 development update

by nihtila February 29, 2020

written by nihtila

Finally it seems W-DAC shows superb and most of all consistent performance across boards. I needed to have a break for a few months from all of this as I got quite frustrated after manufacturing a batch of boards and then not meeting the performance I’d seen in tests before.

February 29, 2020 5 comments

Wee DAC

W-DAC 4493 – Very high performance compact DAC

by nihtila February 27, 2020

written by nihtila

Superb performance:
- THD+N ratio: -115 dB (1 kHz -1 dBFS)
- THD ratio: -121 dB (1 kHz, -2 dBFS)
- Dynamic range / SNR: 121 dBA
- Crosstalk: -125 dB, 10 kHz
- Comprehensive measurement data available
Unbalanced RCA, 2 V output level
- Balanced addon available
I2S input, supports up to 32 bits and 768 kHz sample rate
6 digital filters selectable with jumper links
AK4493EQ DAC, LM4562 opamps, LT3042 regulators
Compact size at 70 mm x 50 mm
Can be used with any compatible I2S source or in Wee DAC system
Wee DAC ecosystem offers numerous compatible boards
- Balanced XLR addon
- S/PDIF input boards (Coax, Toslink, AES/EBU)
- Baseboards with or without power supply
Assembled boards available

February 27, 2020 0 comment

Audio Theory

DAC digital filters part 2 – deeper dive into AK4490 and AK4493 filters

by nihtila October 18, 2019

written by nihtila

This post delves into digital filters in AK4490 and AK4493 DACs used in W-DAC boards and provides extensive measurement results of the filters in time and frequency domain. This is not only relevant to these specific DAC chips and filters but general information on DAC digital filters from audio perspective. This is a practical approach – no poles, zeros, or formulas but lots of plots.

October 18, 2019 10 comments

Development Wee DAC

Wee DAC update 5 – almost there!

by nihtila August 19, 2019

written by nihtila

Progress has been slow due to other things in life but last few weeks have been busy on finalising everything. More measurements have been done and PCBs are finalised. First batch of boards is in production and should be available in September.

August 19, 2019 5 comments

Development Wee DAC

Wee DAC update 3 – New LDO and AK4493 tests, and new boards designed

by nihtila April 13, 2019

written by nihtila

Follow-up on AK4490 test board measurements

Comparing cheap LDOs to superb LT3042
- LP2992 shows excellent performance
AK4493 vs. AK4490
- Even better performance
- Almost pin compatible
New v1.1 boards in production
- Slightly larger but still ‘wee’
- Supports AK4490 and AK4493, and different LDOs
- Possibly two or three assembly versions with different price and performance

April 13, 2019 16 comments