PCM2704 USB DACs

[stalepie]

Hi, I'm new here... I was wondering if anyone had done measurements of cheap PCM2704 DACs?

Here is one I got today in the mail from China:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCM2704-Mi...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I think it sounds surprisingly good for its price and simplicity/size, but is a bit thin and harsh or brittle sounding from a quick listen so far.

I still like the warmer, bigger and softer sound of the "X5" (PCM2706+CS4344+dual TDA1308) USB DAC I got last year, though it picks up noise from my PC down the USB cable.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCM2706-CS...337458?hash=item46265cf6f2:g:J1IAAOSwDk5T-zwB

but I have a few other similar devices like these coming along the way, encluding the well known (?) ELE EL-D02, which I think I did see a page for around here, but I can't remember where. Maybe it was a different site. Anyway, it would just be neat to see how cheap products like these stand up to more expensive audiophile products out there. I wish the PCM2704 USB stick did not get so loud so quickly, as I was hoping it would be good for IEMs, but it gets loud fast like the HRT microStreamer, Schiit Fulla 2 and others I've tried.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Well in the DAC sub-forum Amir has measured a number of inexpensive DACs though I don't know if any use this DAC chip.

As for the DAC you have being sensitive to the PC over USB, a good design of course wouldn't be. You might however rehabilitate it using a powered USB hub between PC and DAC. I forget which thread has Amir measuring the result of such hubs on the Modi 2 which is overly USB sensitive. I'll try and find that. I think it was a Best Buy brand hub which helps some without costing much.

 

[stalepie]

Yes I may do that, especially if I keep damaging some of these ports I got... already lost a couple. I've heard those can introduce new problems though with devices that need power along with data. I did buy another device... sorry have to link because they don't really have a name:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1500v-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
which I was interested in comparing to the Jitterbug, as I heard no certain difference with that (and hadn't seen the thread here measuring it until afterwards, but wasn't expecting much). the Adum3160 I believe was used by HifimeDIY in their USB isolator product, https://hifimediy.com/usb-isolator, but I don't have that - I don't know if ground loop noises are the problem here anyway. It may be that I should have just bought the one with the enclosure that cost $2 more... : )

 

[amirm]

Welcome to the forum. That's a really cheap DAC! I bought the same one on Amazon for $8 with free shipping: https://smile.amazon.com/Ingerik-Di...47047&sr=1-21&keywords=PCM2704+Sound+Card+DAC

Will measure when it comes in.

When you say the volume goes up quickly, which volume control are you using? One in Windows?

 

[stalepie]

Yes, the one in Windows. Didn't know it was for sale on Amazon. I guess that price kind of includes the shipping.

The one in Windows 10, I should add. The PCM2704C has some kind of volume control behavior change in different versions of Windows compared to the old model:
http://www.ti.com/lit/an/sbfa019/sbfa019.pdf

 

[Cosmik]

Is it going to be any better than your PC's headphone output?

My experience of such a device was almost blowing up my speakers at power-on/off or accidentally unplugging it from the PC. Avoiding issues like that involves a little 'infrastructure' around the raw chip.

The story of the development of this isochronous USB device:
https://www.edn.com/design/audio-de...l-memoir-of-engineering-heartache-and-triumph

 

[amirm]

Is it going to be any better than your PC's headphone output?

You read my mind. That is exactly the test I will be performing!

 

[stalepie]

Is it going to be any better than your PC's headphone output?

My experience of such a device was almost blowing up my speakers at power-on/off or accidentally unplugging it from the PC. Avoiding issues like that involves a little 'infrastructure' around the raw chip.

The story of the development of this isochronous USB device:
https://www.edn.com/design/audio-de...l-memoir-of-engineering-heartache-and-triumph

That is a really good article, but the link to part 2 at the bottom doesn't work.

I'm listening to this PCM2704 USB stick again tonight - maybe it sounds more similar to the X5 USB-cable DAC I mentioned before than I realized. I'm not a good judge of these things.

 

[RayDunzl]

Here's a different link to Part 1

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1272173

With a working link to Part 2

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1272172

(at least, it worked for me)

 

[stalepie]

Thank you