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ES9038Q2M using SPDIF 192 input THD problem

IVX

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Hi everyone, I keep playing with my proto DAC+HPA project and found abnormally high THD(.002%@1kHz 0..-20db pretty much the same) with SPDIF input and default reg#0 = 0x00 i.e. clk_gear = XI/1. If clk_gear = XI/2 or XI/4 either XI/8 the THD becomes better, and XI/8 THD have the lowest value .0004%(without TH_COM cheating or .00025 with). The problem is ES9038Q2M does work with SPDIF Fs=192kHz(96kHz ok with XI/2 and XI/4, 44-48 ok with XI/8) only if reg0=0, hence I've no chance to get decent THD at 192 at all. I quite happy with 44-48 SPDIF input because it does work with XI/8 setting, THD at 96 .0007% is so-so, and only if MCU will dynamically setup reg#0 according to current audio format(if 192 then reg#0 = 0x00, 96 then reg#0 = 0x08, 44-48 reg#0 = 0x0C). Such on the fly update makes muting for 1/2 S, it is really bad if a track-list contains different formats. The clock is SiT8209 100MHz, I've tried 50MHz Xtal with ES9038Q2M internal oscillator and got a bit better THD but SPDIF 192 didn't work at all, hence 100MHz isn't max XI frequency but rather minimal one or ONLY the frequency allowed. I use CM6642 as USB/SPDIF bridge(5x6mm QFN with 3-5pcs 0402 surrounding that allows me to fit all in the USB dongle like case), and I have the same THD for 44.1 either 192 in another my design where WM8804 does convert SPDIF into I2S, hence, the root cause is ES9038Q2M.
Any input, ideas welcome.
 
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IVX

IVX

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Finally, I found the reason )) It was fake LDO "TPS79133DBVR" which I bought on taobao intentionally most expensive variant to avoid fake-related problems. That fake has very low loop gain so the PSRR is about 30-40db@1kHz or so. When I switched clk_gear = XI/1 DAC consumption dropped proportionally and decoupling caps helped to keep 3.3V rail's ripple good enough. Now I tried 1A LDO MP20051with PSRR 63db and 13uV noise, clk_gear setting not affect THD at all, adding 1000u ESR=15mOhm@100kHz to the 3.3V rail also doesn't affect THD performance. Chinese always makes fakes for famous companies - Ti, Linear/AD etc and never for tiwanese like MonolithicPower aka MPS. I bought 20pcs MP20051 just for $0.15/pcs and it is genuine LDO!
 

rromuar

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Hi IVX, I'm newbie about digital world including DACs such as ES9038Q2M. I got a DAC project in my mind to use ES9038Q2M with SPDIF input only, but I don't know how to begin with. The question that lingers in my head is that, do i need a microcontroller attached to ES9038Q2M if I use a SPDIF input only? Thanks much in advance.
 

rromuar

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Thanks IVX for the guidance. If you don’t mind what MCU that you can suggest to handle such registers just to make the SPDIF work? As much as possible, I’m aiming for the simplest design and parts, ie. not too glamorous design. Thank you again
 

rromuar

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appreciate much your expertise, i’ll give it shot then and see how it goes...
 

Jungstar

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can anyone explain how to use the 2 pins on the DAC hat
ES9038Q2M
to get Coaxial input...
See image..
 

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somebodyelse

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The review thread would be a better place to ask and answer this since it's specific to that board. It looks like Audiophonics have changed the board design and some, but not all, of the photos, while still linking to the ASR review. Their documentation isn't great - you need to refer to the doc in the Download tab to see which pin is signal and which ground, and it says nothing about how to connect it. My guess is it only needs an RCA or BNC connecting to it, but I'd try asking Audiophonics as it might need some extra bits. You can pick the input (I2S fro the Pi, or spdif) using the "I2S/SPDIF Select" control in alsamixer, visible at the left of their screenshot.
 
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