Electronics Overview

Electronics Overview

We have always used this section in our soundcard reviews to help the end users understand what they are getting for their hard earned audio dollars.  The components used on the card give the unit its sonic signature and character.  The latest crop of cards from ASUS and other are coming equipped with higher grade components and overall improved designs.

CS 5381 ADC

This stereo ADC chip is the chip used for the input stage.  The 5381 ADC is a 24/192 kHz based chip offering a 120 dB dynamic range and a -110 dB THD+N measurement.  This chip offers Low-latency digital filter and differential analog architecture.

CS 5381 specification sheet http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs5381.html

PCM 1796 DAC

This DAC offers a stock dynamic range of 123dB and a THD+N: 0.0005% and has a 8X oversampling Digital filter.  The PCM series DAC have been seen on many audio sources as the chip provides jitter tolerance, excellent signal quality and Dynamic performance.  This chip is responsible for the Headphone output and front channel speaker output.

CS4362 DAC

The is the source for the multi-channel outputs and is a 24/192Khz chip with 114dB dynamic range and a THD+N measurement of -100 dB THD+N.  The chip also offers selectable digital filters and a Low-clock-jitter sensitivity.

CS4362 Specification Sheet http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs4362-82.html