this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2025
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Building a USB-C DAC in as small a package as possible (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by northernscrub@lemmy.world to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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Given the endless problems with attempting to properly initialise ALSA with the qualcomm chipset in my device, I've resorted to the idea that I'll be designing a larger case, with a larger screen (and hopefully no shitty curvy corners) and an integrated DAC with probably a small headphone amplifier.

Ideally, I would like this to be addressable, and have the facility to run an equaliser on-board that can be configured via the USB connection, although I'll settle for bluetooth if the former is too complicated. It will also need to fit inside the phone housing (which will likely be around 9-10mm). I plan on an aluminium frame, so heatsink facilities should be easily manageable. The USB connection will, of course, need to be a passthrough connection to facilitate charging the phone - having a separate USB-C socket on the board is fine, I can probably adjust for this.

Am I setting my aspirations too high, or are there components available that meet these specifications?

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[–] quiescentcurrent@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Thanks for the detailed answer, that helps a lot for my understanding.

The project sounds like a lot of work, especially for such a niche application. Do you have a crowd to support this (with time or money) or do you plan pay for this and sell it in the end?

[–] northernscrub@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Neither. This is a purely personal project, and I'm using as much off-the-shelf as possible. The dac itself doesn't have to be top of the line, just decent. The PCB itself I'll probably just have printed, rather than trying to breadboard it or make some ungodly wire mess.

Some stuff I can get for almost pennies, like a USB-C controller and the actual sockets and plugs, so this is a non-concern. The actual dac chip though, I'm expecting (or at least hoping) to find something around the £30-£40 mark, although this may well be aspirational. That said, this is something I can theoretically transplant to my next device, and the next after that, assuming I create custom housings for them.

[–] quiescentcurrent@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm in no position to discourage you from building this, but this is a fsr greater project than you're writing it to be. Send me a link to the git repo, so I can tag along and keep updated!

[–] northernscrub@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Hmm. Git is far too organised for my play style. I may take photographs at some point, assuming I can actually find components (and learn how to do... well, any of this).