W-DAC v3 – Very High Performance Compact Audio DA-Converter
- Excellent performance, typical:
- THD+N ratio: -116 dB (997 Hz -1 dBFS).
- THD ratio: -122 dB (997 Hz, -1 dBFS).
- Dynamic range / SNR: 122 dBA.
- Crosstalk: < -130 dB, 10 kHz.
- Two output options:
- Balanced XLR, 4 Vrms output level.
- Unbalanced RCA, 2 Vrms output level.
- DC-coupled output path (no DC-blocking capacitors in audio path).
- DC-offset < 5mV.
- AK4493SEQ DAC, OPA1612 opamps, LT3042 regulators, thin film resistors and C0G capacitors in audio path.
- Compact and narrow 100 mm x 50 mm 4-layer PCB.
- PCM up to 32 bits and 768 kHz sample rate.
- I2C-version supports DSD up to DSD512.
- Selectable digital filter (via jumper link in HW-version, via registers in I2C-version).
- Hardware output mute with relay (automatic, can also be manually muted).
- I/O back-power protection (if clocks are active before power, they don’t partially power the DAC preventing proper power-up).
Requires the following supplies (indicated max current):
- 5V for digital (40 mA).
- +/- 12-15V (40 mA per supply) for opamps.
- 6V for DAC references and analog supplies (40 mA).
- This can also be taken from +15V (increases current to 80mA).
- All supplies provided via one 6-pin Molex Micro-Fit for easy interfacing with our power supplies (or wire to your own PSU).
HW-variant features
- Easy to use, no microcontroller needed.
- Digital filter selection with jumper link (included).
I2C-variant features
- Needs an I2C-host, for example a microcontroller.
- Digital filter and all other settings, including digital volume control, done via registers.
- Digital filter header is not populated on I2C-variant (below photo shows I2C variants of XLR and RCA units).
- DSD-support.
- We do not provide a control firmware but there are very simple example writes in the W-DAC XLR guide.
Important information on order
- Boards are provided fully assembled and tested.
- Please ensure you have the skills to connect the board in your system – and most of all understand what you are doing. Especially pay attention you have the correct power supplies and signal levels.
- Be careful with supply polarity and level, incorrect connections may damage the board and/or your power supply.
- If you need help prior to purchase, please contact us.
Changes from W-DAC v2 and W-DAC XLR
W-DAC XLR was based on W-DAC v2 and had a fully differential output stage and output path. While great in performance and philosophy, some users still want unbalanced RCA which is a compromise with fully differential output path. W-DAC v3 uses a traditional summing difference amplifier for unbalanced output, and balanced version is created by inverting the unbalanced output for the balanced negative lead. This allows using the same board for XLR or RCA output. The RCA connectors are also beefier compared to W-DAC v2.
Summary of changes:
- All-OPA1612 output stage with difference amplifier and inverter (W-DAC XLR had LM4562 + OPA1632 FDA).
- I/O back-power protection.
- Improved mute; DAC without clocks also triggers mute relay.
- Updated PCB aesthetics to match other newer Kaamos modules.
- The PCB is also 15mm longer than W-DAC XLR; the mute relay is on top now.
The functionality of the board remains the same. Headline DR and THD+N/SINAD figures remain unchanged.
More information
For more information on using the board, see W-DAC v3 guide. There is also a post on how to connect DAR 18 and W-DAC; there will be update on this later, note that W-DAC v3 doesn’t necessarily need EMUTE wire due to improved mute functionality.
For measurement results and version history, see the tab above.
Files
We do not guarantee the files are 100% correct. Especially when it comes to mechanical design based on the 3D-model, please verify any dimensions on the actual board since the model relies on 3rd party component models we have not verified.
