Anyone have experience with the CS4398 DAC chip?
It seems to be liked by many in the diy community (could be due to it being readily available and quite cheap in kit form from ebay).
My interest was sparked from my recent experience with another voltage output type delta sigma based chip. The AK4393 dac (from a behringer src2496) with upsampling (CS8421 sample rate converter), with direct from dac chip out modification using a capacitor, quite impressed by the sound of this stuff. Different presentation to the TDA based dacs I've tried so far. Most noticeable point is the highs have more extension and exposed harmonics and low bass has more delicacy in the notes. It gives a very 'open' 'airy' type of presentation.. Mids don't seem have the solidity and focused/condensed energy like the TDAs do. For big orchestral pieces that have been well recorded, the 'lightness' and openness helps project a more believable stage (iMO!). I appreciate what all types of different designs do and I am really just starting to learn and enjoy them all.. no winners or losers! Just different
Following my personal observations written above, something like the module below may be coming...
(CS8416 receiver, a CS8421 sample rate converter, and a CS4398 DAC chip. It uses a pair of Lundahl LL1690 1:1 transformers for the analog stage.)