Recommendations for a 16-bit audio DAC/codec IC?

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whannah

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First post!

I recently bought a teensy 3.2 with the intention to build a modal synth. I'm pretty excited about it, but I'm unsure how to choose a suitable DAC/codec for the output. Most examples use the audio board, which is great and I might go that route. However, I only want a single line-level output, so I figure it would make more sense to just get a good 16-bit DAC/codec instead. When I try to research this I'm instantly overwhelmed and confused by the plethora of options. I'm not an audiophile, but I do want 16-bit instead of 12-bit.

So does anyone have any suggestions of a DAC or codec on a DIP IC? Presumably ones that works with the I2C library.
 
If you buy a codec chip you've got a whole lot of work ahead of you to do the hardware and software interface.
Get an audio board and only use the left channel line-level output.

Pete
 
The PT8211 is pretty cheap, easy to use, the quality is pretty good - and it is simple to use (has its own audio library output)

But the easiest way (and the best for beginners, i'm sure) is to use the audio-shield.
 
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The PT8211 looks good, but they seem hard to find. Whereas various texas instruments DAC ICs are easy to find, but I don't understand the differences.
I guess the audio shield is the way to go to simplify the process. I'm still interested to hear other alternative DAC/codec options, just for future reference.
 
I'm also thinking about this, for now i only have the dac connected to an output(dac pin and gnd). I know that this could lead into dc offset issues and some extra unwanted frequencies. Getting the Teensy compatible audio shield is the solution, but i also want to learn how to build a proper output because i can't buy one of these items directly where i live.

Is there any option/tutorial to build a simple output to get proper 12 bit audio or 16 bit as mentioned in this post?.

PS: I'm just getting started with Teensy and i'm loving it!

Thanks
 
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I got a tonesweep sketch and a another synth sketch running last night using the onboard DAC with an inline capacitor. I was surprised how good it sounded at the lower frequencies. I was expecting a noticeable effect of the bit-depth. Maybe a side-by-side comparison with a 16-bit output would be noticeable.
 
Is some other posts Paul mentions that a 1-10 uf cap can remove the DC offset. The orientation needs to be with the + end connected to the DAC pin, so I guess they have to be electrolytic? Not sure about that. I had a few 2.2 uf electrolytic caps laying around, and they worked just fine.
 
Is some other posts Paul mentions that a 1-10 uf cap can remove the DC offset. The orientation needs to be with the + end connected to the DAC pin, so I guess they have to be electrolytic? Not sure about that. I had a few 2.2 uf electrolytic caps laying around, and they worked just fine.

Thanks, i will give it a try!
 
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