This isn't really pure DIY, more like BIY plus some tweaks, etc. but...
I just received my $40 WM8740 DAC (ebay item 190685871588) and I have to say it has far exceeded my expectations so far.
I am feeding it with a CM6631A-based USB/SPDIF board that I bought from the same e-bay seller.
Build quality, soldering, etc. are excellent on both.
The DAC board comes with an OP275 opamp in it, but I had ordered both an AD8599 and an OPA4132 because I love to have options!
After some very quick comparisons, I decided to leave the AD8599 in there for a good serious listen. The sound of this WM8740 board with the AD8599 has brought an whole new dimension to my system. Just beautiful!
Anyway, I plan to put the CM6631A board and WM8740 board into a homemade chassis, directly connect them, build the transformer in, mount the USB interface on the chassis, LEDs, switches, etc. as a DIY/BIY project. It is all that I am capable of and it will be a fun, satisfying project.
Anyone like me who cannot quite build a DAC from scratch should have a serious look at some of these Chinese boards.
I just received my $40 WM8740 DAC (ebay item 190685871588) and I have to say it has far exceeded my expectations so far.
I am feeding it with a CM6631A-based USB/SPDIF board that I bought from the same e-bay seller.
Build quality, soldering, etc. are excellent on both.
The DAC board comes with an OP275 opamp in it, but I had ordered both an AD8599 and an OPA4132 because I love to have options!
After some very quick comparisons, I decided to leave the AD8599 in there for a good serious listen. The sound of this WM8740 board with the AD8599 has brought an whole new dimension to my system. Just beautiful!
Anyway, I plan to put the CM6631A board and WM8740 board into a homemade chassis, directly connect them, build the transformer in, mount the USB interface on the chassis, LEDs, switches, etc. as a DIY/BIY project. It is all that I am capable of and it will be a fun, satisfying project.
Anyone like me who cannot quite build a DAC from scratch should have a serious look at some of these Chinese boards.