Jag grävde fram en riktigt gammal CD-spelare från pappas källare ...

..  det var en Sony CDP-291 som var en typisk budgetmaskin när det begav sig. Men förtrösta inte, ändå är den intressant för audiofiler, den är nämligen byggd runt Philips TDA1543A DAC-chip som tillverkas än idag! Det är ett av de mest populära chippen bland dom som bygger egna DAC:ar, detta baserat dels på att det är billigt och lätt att implementera men framförallt för att det låter mycket bra. Det har det typiskt analog-lika Philips-DAC soundet, men är det Philips-chip som kanske låter varmast och mest "rör"-likt av alla Philips-chippen medan tex TDA1541A anses ha högre upplösning(men är svårare att implementera pga att det krävs en massa extra elektronik kring chippet). Att spelaren dessutom har en Sony-mekanik eftersom det är en Sony är knappast en nackdel, Sony brukar göra de bästa mekanismerna.

I just den här spelaren har dom verkligen implementerat TDA1543A som den skall implementeras, det finns nästan ingen ljudelektronik alls i spelaren utan signalen är kopplad mer eller mindre rakt ut på utgången med typ bara en OP och två kondingar emellan. Och, det höll jag på att glömma, det sitter ett Sony-digitalfilter(8X) monterat också i det här fallet. Riktigt basic alltså, men väldigt lite som kan gå fel eller strula!

Här en tråd från Audioreview om just detta chip:

 http://forums.audioreview.com/digital-domain-computer-audio/tda-1543-1541-a-33189.html

"Tda 1543/1541

Hey Gang, I just wanted to take a minute to tell the world about this fantastic DAC. In electronics, anything that's more than 5 minutes old is considered outdated, and often, inferior. Obviously, we know this isn't always the case, as is proven by this fantastic little chip.

It's simplicity overshadows its ability, and people often overlook it. DIY types know better, and love working with it for this reason.

I came upon this DAC out of necessity. Quite simply, I couldn't afford the Grant Tube dac-09 and needed an alternative. A friend of mine has the Valab 8 x TDA 1541 NOS, and suggested the single TDA 1543 version. It was available on Ebay for $100, which was great. My first thought was that it was cheap, as in poorly put together with shoddy parts. That was my first mistake...

The 1541 and 1543 are close cousins, but I'll speak about the 1543 as that's what I own. The TDA 1543 is a dual 16 bit DAC designed by Phillips in the 80's. It's original design had "economy" in mind, small and simple in build. This turned out to be its appeal for DIY types. It requires no external components or circuitry. As a result of appearing cheap or lo-fi, it has been and continues to be overlooked by many.

I think alot of people have a hard time accepting that something in a basic package can perform at a high level. This dac proves them all wrong.

There were a number of CDP's made with the 1541/1543. Some are still legendary in audiophile circles, including the Arcam Alpha 5 and the Mission PCM 7000. I almost bought a Mission recently for this reason.

The sound that this dac produces is clear, accurate and about as warm as a digital signal can get. It's truly the chip for the analog lover, but essentially for anyone with discriminating ears.

Many look past it because it's "only" 16 bits. The fact of the matter is, particularily in NOS mode, this dac can compete with any. The NOS adds a realm of realism that almost can't be described, it must be heard. I think alot of people don't understand that even though they may be promised 24 bit, doesn't mean that they will be getting it. What they might get is a dac that can read 24-bit, but cannot output the true resolution. What a backwards process that is!!

Anyhow, lots has been written on these dac's. I wanted to write down a few things to maybe benefit anyone who hasn't heard this mighty chip. Quite simply, I can't listen to anything without it. I recently took it out of the chain and was rudely awakened to a harsh, bright disaster. Freddie Hubbard was unlistenable.

I'm happy to have found my sound.."

Mycket riktigt låter det överraskande bra, inte märkbart sämre än mitt dyra Asus Xonar ST ljudkort med utbytta OP! Jag brände en modernt inspelad skiva med erkänt bra ljud som test; Steven Wilsons "The Raven That Refused To Sing". Ljudet är hur bra som helst! Perfekt för att slölyssna på någon enstaka CD vid datorhackande och för en nostalgitripp, dessutom är spelaren föredömligt enkel att manövrera. Och lyckosamt nog matchar den min Sony-förstärkare utseendemässigt. En vy från min datorhörna idag: