Audio Alchemy DAC specs

[Pars]

Anyone have pointers to the differences between AA DACs, particularly the DDE series (1.0, 1.3 is it?, 3.0, etc.) I'd like to pick something up (cheap) with AD1862 DACs and PMD100 that I could play with (ouput stage, etc.).

[lostonetr]

quick pull from wiki

# DDE 1.0

# DDE 1.1

# DDE 1.2 - 20-bit, HDCD, TOSLink/BNC/XLR/I2s inputs (similar to DDE 3.0)

# DDE 2.0 - TOSLink/3xBNC inputs

# DDE 3.0 - 20-bit, HDCD, TOSLink/BNC/I2s inputs (optional dithering and remote control processor)

seems like the 1.2 and the 3.0 are the ones with the PMD100

[jinp6301]

Ask hydrocity

[hYdrociTy]

The 3.0 has 1862 and PMD100. the 1.2 is similar. The other ones are random stuff.. There are also many other dacs and players of yesteryear that have the 1862+pmd100 combo. Good luck with finding any of them though.

AUDIO ALCHEMY DDE v1.0

SAA7323GP

[cetoole]

My understanding is that the main difference between DDE v1.2 and v3.0 is the output stage. The 1.2 has a pretty traditional opamp setup, while the 3.0 has a funky passive I/V, discrete buffer, passive multipole LPF, then opamp stage with discrete output buffer. 1.2 does the -6dB attenuation in analog, by changing the gain, while 3.0 does it in the PMD100. Here are schematics for the DDE v3.0, but I have never seen ones for the 1.2, so all my information on that one is hearsay.

[Pars]

Any of you happen to snag one of these? I was thinking about it but bought a Rotel 991 prior.

Audio Alchemy DDE v1.2 DAC converter MINT in Box - eBay (item 180318496916 end time Jan-14-09 18:13:07 PST)

Audio Alchemy DDE v1.2 DAC Mint in box - eBay (item 180318477718 end time Jan-14-09 16:25:29 PST)

[hYdrociTy]

i saw those but didnt get one because i was confused about the power supply. the dc input jacks seem to be missing or a different size than what they normally use? maybe its just me.

all i can hope for now is that the toole discrete iv boards fit in my 3.0

[swt61]

Anyone have pointers to the differences between AA DACs, particularly the DDE series (1.0, 1.3 is it?, 3.0, etc.) I'd like to pick something up (cheap) with AD1862 DACs and PMD100 that I could play with (ouput stage, etc.).

quick pull from wiki

seems like the 1.2 and the 3.0 are the ones with the PMD100

Pars, I have a 1.2 sitting here gathering dust. If you're interested PM me, I'm sure we can come to an agreement.

[Icarium]

Wow nice the 1.2 doesn't do passive i/v? that's hot.

[clarke68]

Can't help you on specs, but I owned a 1.1 and a 1.2 at one point. I actually preferred the 1.1...it was more punchy & neutral while the 1.2 had a more warmish sound, although the 1.2 sounded better with HDCDs.

It's surprising to me that there are so many 1.2s around at the moment...back when I was looking, they were somewhat rare.

[Pars]

Pars, I have a 1.2 sitting here gathering dust. If you're interested PM me, I'm sure we can come to an agreement.

Steve,

Thanks for the offer, let me think about it after buying another Rotel... I always wanted to hear something using AD1862s (and the PMD100), those being Jocko's fav. dac chips

[swt61]

Steve,

Thanks for the offer, let me think about it after buying another Rotel... I always wanted to hear something using AD1862s (and the PMD100), those being Jocko's fav. dac chips

Sure, it's not going anywhere.