Pre-amp chip

Diodes has introduced an eight-channel DAC and pre-amplifier chip for designers of audio video receivers and add-on sound cards.

Part of the Zetex direct digital feedback amplifier range, the ZXCZM800 will reduce circuit complexity and, in differential mode, will deliver a dynamic range up to 126 dB.

With typical mid-range AVRs and sound cards currently producing a DNR of 112 dB, the chip can match or improve on existing product sound quality.

For designers looking to expand a product’s feature set, the device also offers the option of pre-amplifier DSP features, simply programmed using an existing system host processor.

By integrating a digital volume control operating on a per channel and/or all channel basis, the chip can further simplify product design, improve performance and reduce cost.

A digital multiplexing function enables additional digital inputs to be accommodated and simple implementation of multi-room configuration to be achieved. Fourteen user-programmable biquads per channel facilitate filter functions such as parametric EQ.

The pre-amp has a maximum resolution of 32 bits, meaning more headroom and less impact on performance with higher input audio data resolutions. Maximum sample rate is up to 192 kHz and DNR in single-ended operating mode is 120 dB.

For distortion and noise, figures less than 0.001% are typical for single-ended mode, less than 0.0004% in differential mode.