Multi Bit DACs vs. Delta Sigma DACs

[Miska]

There are problems making high quality 1 bit modulators due to the difficulties dithering them:

 

...when people don't know how to do it properly...

 

A single bit implementation is much cheaper to implement because it does not require precision balancing of circuitry associated with the individual bits. However, techniques were found to dynamically balance mismatched components, making multibit implementations cost effective. This appeared in the high end in the dCS "Ring DAC" but is now available in many multi-bit sigma-delta DAC chips such as the ESS SABRE products.

 

Multi-element conversion and number of bits from the SDM don't need to be related. DSC1 being example of 32-element converter with 1-bit input...

[audiventory]

There are problems making high quality 1 bit modulators due to the difficulties dithering them:

 

http://sjeng.org/ftp/SACD.pdf

http://www.robertwannamaker.com/writings/rw_phd.pdf

 

A single bit implementation is much cheaper to implement because it does not require precision balancing of circuitry associated with the individual bits. However, techniques were found to dynamically balance mismatched components, making multibit implementations cost effective. This appeared in the high end in the dCS "Ring DAC" but is now available in many multi-bit sigma-delta DAC chips such as the ESS SABRE products.

 

Developing of DSD modulators is subtlle work. It's very sophisticated system in development, but cheaper (than PCM) in hardware realization.

Currentrly a lot of different schemes of DSD (1 bit sigma delta) modulators.

 

Modern DSD modulators in audible range and even more very close to PCM modulators. Even I can't say that is better.

 

Need remember:

 

1. Recommend use DSD128 and more.

 

2. DSD modulator and demodulator both significantly impact to audio quality.

I.e. different pairs modulator/demodulator can give significantly different results.

 

Better modulator can improve general result for middle and below demodulator.

Better demodulator can improve general result for middle and below modulator.