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DAC for Headphones

K S1
Prodigy 20 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TLV320DAC3203

Hello,

I am looking for a high quality DAC for headphones.   I haven't found any DACs from TI in the 'audio DACs' category that say they can drive headphones but I found this one in the 'headphone amps' category.

TLV320DAC3203 looks a little too weak (low output power and high min load), requires DC blocking capacitors and doesn't clearly list the DAC resolution.

Are there any DACs that meet my needs or should I just go with a DAC and a separate IC for headphone amp?

Requirements:

No DC blocking capacitors required

Power efficient

Analog outputs: 2

Goals:

Resolution: 32 bit

SNR > 100dB

Sampling rate > 300 kHz

Package: small, preferably not BGA

Output power high enough for headphones

Loads (headphones): down to 4 ohms

  • 0
    TI__Guru* 84915 points

    Hi,

    Welcome to e2e and thank you for your interest in our products!

    The TLV320DAC3203 is one of our best audio devices. It supports two analog outputs, 32 bits resolution, QFN package. However, it supports up to 192KHz.

    I can suggest another DAC who supports all your requirements for the DAC stage (see filtered options in the link below).

    http://www.ti.com/audio-ic/converters/dac/products.html#p1021=0;2&p1339=2;2&p2017typ=100;127&p348max=300;666&p84=32;32

    Regarding the headphone load, I think you would require an external amplifier to capabilities to handle a 4 ohm load (min). We don't have a headphone amplifier with this capability (they support minimum loads of 8 ohms). But we can offer speaker amplifiers that fit your needs in case you are interested. Please take a look at these options for details:

    http://www.ti.com/audio-ic/amplifiers/speaker-amplifiers/products.html#p2982=Analog%20Input&p89=Class-AB;Class-D&p1055max=2;Stereo&p1013min=4;16&p88=100;112.5

    Let me know if you have additional questions or comments on this. Our team will be glad to help you.

    Best regards,
    Luis Fernando Rodríguez S.

  • 0 in reply to Luis Fernando Rodriguez S.
    Prodigy 20 points

    Hi Luis,

    Thank you for the reply.  Just found the notification in my junk mail folder :/

    I am leaning towards the TLV320DAC3203 now.  I had searched the datasheet for 'resolution' and found nothing but now that you mention it, I see it is in there, just without the word 'resolution'.  I am surprised that is not on the front page.

    Regarding the headphone load.  I think I was going overboard asking for less than 16 ohms.  Upon more searching I see most headphones speakers are 16 ohms or more.  I want to make waterproof headphones and when I search digikey for waterproof speakers in common headphone sizes, most the options are less than 16 ohms but I think those are more geared toward portable speakers.

    Any chance you can recommend a good place to look for waterproof headphone speakers?

  • 0 in reply to K S1
    TI__Guru* 84915 points

    Hi, 

    I'm glad to read about the TLV320DAC3203. If you require assistance with the design or configuration, please let us know. We will be glad to help you.

    Regarding the waterproof headphone speakers, unfortunately I don't have information about this kind of applications or speaker vendors. But in case you find a suitable speaker for you application, we can help you with the amplifier and/or DAC in order to have a good design.

    Best regards,
    Luis Fernando Rodríguez S.