What to Look for in a Digital to Analog Converter

Any device that features a digital signal and output sound will feature a digital to analog converter (DAC), such as a smartphone, laptop, computer, MP3 player, wireless speaker, CD or DVD player and a clock radio, plus so much more.

The DAC simply converts a digital code into an analog signal, which can be anything from an electricity charge, voltage or current. However, what makes the converter so unique is that the analog signal can be transmitted in a digital format, which allows a human to recognise the signal in the form of a voice or beat.

Signs You Need a DAC

Do you often hear a hiss during the quieter sections during a song? Can you hear noise in the background of a recording? Does the audio have sound issues you would like to address? If so, you could require an external DAC.

The Factors to Consider with a DAC Upgrade

Audio quality will be your primary focus when converting a digital signal to analog, and this will be determined by the bit resolution you choose, as well as digital filters, the sampling frequency and various processes. The factors to consider when choosing a digital to analogue converter include:

• Cost-to-performance ratio
• Speed
• Resolution

Anyone considering a DAC for a new device should opt for a converter that can save a configuration at power down whilst reducing a microcontroller’s overheads.

Like all technologies, DACs will improve throughout the years, so they can be an effective way to update a poor-quality audio system. For example, an external DAC could be a worthwhile investment for computer audio, because the existing options tend to be poor in comparison to the high-quality external parts on the market.

How to Select a Quality DAC

As mentioned a little earlier, the digital to analog converter improves the audio and video quality of a device. As a product engineer or designer, it is your job to identify the high-quality devices to incorporate into a device; otherwise, a customer might be tempted to visit a competitor for a higher-quality sound.

Designers and engineers must work together to provide a seamless product, which is why they should collaborate to identify the best DAC that can improve audio quality whilst simplifying a design, so it does not detract from the functions or aesthetics.

Select a small product that offers either single, dual or multi-channel options, depending on a device’s needs, which help streamline a new design to provide a greater system to the client or customer. The resolution should also be a consideration. For example, most cellular devices will most likely offer a 12-bit DAC resolution.

In summary, it is essential to source the right DAC for your needs, so it is important to consider:

• The resolutions (8 to 12 bits)
• The external or internal reference
• The type of digital interface
• Accuracy
• The number of output channels (single, dual or multi)
• The device cost
• The product quality

If you are a product engineer or designer developing a new product, only contact a reputable data conversion provider, which will ensure you do not receive a low-quality converter that will let you or your customers down. A DAC upgrade is an effective way to transform the quality of digital music through a speaker, so you must choose wisely to ensure a device can produce the best possible sound.

The Future of Technology

It is fair to say that digital to analog convertors are the future of modern technology, along with analog to digital converters (ADC). Let’s take cellular phones as the perfect example. When a person makes a phone call overseas, the phone’s microphone will convert the voice into an analog signal, which is then converted into a digital signal thanks to an ADC. Once this is done, the stream will be split into sections, which could take different routes, before the digital voice data extracts the sections to place the pieces back together, allowing the DAC to convert the stream into an analog signal, which is transmitted through an audio amplifier and loudspeaker to produce a voice on the other end of the phone. The wonder of technology.

People are no longer turning on their radios to listen to music, as the modern consumer is now more interested in listening to audio and videos through cloud services, such as Spotify and iTunes, which come through hard drives. So, it essential to turn data into sound with the help of an advanced digital to audio converter.