Since the introduction of the independent DAC by vivo in vivo X1, the Hi-Fi mobile phone has begun to rise, and several consecutive mobile phones have used independent Hi-Fi chips. At the same time, consumers are beginning to be confused by these unclear chip models: DACs, ADCs and DSPs, op amps and amps, codecs and stand-alone DACs. In addition, the Hi-Fi chip combination scheme is a must, the same manufacturer Hi-Fi chip, the same function Hi-Fi chip is different. What is the difference between Hi-Fi chips with different functions or the same functions of different manufacturers? Today, let's start with a simple, focus on the six terms DAC, ADC, DSP, codec, op amp, amp.
ADC and DAC, DSP
The ADC is an analog to digital signal encoding chip, such as the TLV320 ADC. The DAC is a digital to analog signal decoding chip, such as the ES9028. The former is generally used for recording and the latter is generally used for decoding audio. The intermediate digital signal processing process is handled by the DSP. The analog signal is input from the ADC, encoded into a digital signal, and then processed and processed by the DSP. Finally, it is sent to the DAC to re-decode the digital signal into an analog signal and output it.
Op amp and amp
An amp is the name of a class of products, not a chip type. There may be multiple op amp chips in an amp, such as the OPA1612 and OPA2604. In addition, there are also classifications between op amp chips, some of which only work outside and do not act on headphones, such as NXP's TFA9890. Some only work on headphones and not on the outside, such as Maxim's MAX97220. The OPA1612 and OPA2604 op amp chips can be used for both headphones and external speakers.
Codec and independent DAC
We always think that codec must be integrated in the SoC, and the independent DAC is externally placed in the SoC, so the codec and the independent DAC can be well recognized by the positional arrangement between the chips. In fact, this is the wrong idea.
Codec can also be independent of SoC. For example, the codec of Samsung and Apple mobile phones is generally independent of SoC, and it can be regarded as a separate audio chip. In other words, the Samsung S7 (éªé¾™820 version) that Qualcomm home WCD9335 codec is also an independent audio chip, but the decoding effect is not as good as the CS4398 chip. Similarly, vivo Xplay5 has two decoding chips, WCD9335 codec and CS4398 DAC. Why isn't there a separate DAC for codec?
Codec integrates ADC, DAC and various other audio related modules. For example, AK4961 integrates ADC, DAC and amp functions. It is a complete audio solution. It should be more powerful than independent DAC which only knows to decode and cannot be used independently. Right? The problem is in concentration. The codec integration function is much more, and the considerations are naturally more. The amount of calculation will naturally be distributed by multiple function modules. The decoding efficiency and effect are naturally inferior to the independent DAC.
In the past few years, it seems that more popular Hi-Fi solutions with three chips, such as vivo Xshot, TLV320ADC+CS4398+MAX97220. Since the emergence of the SABRE9018Q2C and ES9118 DACs with high integration of op amp chips, the industry seems to be paying attention to this new Hi-Fi solution. The biggest advantage of this is that it saves the internal space of the mobile phone, and can continue to meet the consumer's favorite to stack the material on the Hi-Fi circuit, the integration between the codec and the independent DAC, taking into account the decoding effect and efficiency.
Finally, let's take a look at the mainstream Hi-Fi chips on the market for independent DACs, DACs and codec integrated with op amp chips, and the corresponding models.
Independent DAC Series:
Mainstream independent DAC lateral contrast
ES9018K2M: vivo X3, vivo Xplay3S, vivo X5Max, millet Note standard version, Meizu MX4 Pro and Meizu PRO 5, Blue Devils MOS1 max, TCL Dongdong Gun 2 and Gigaset ME and Gigaset ME pro
SABRE9018C2M: LG V10, Lenovo Music Lemon X3, Xiaomi Note top version
ES9018AQ2M: Geek Out V2 portable decoding amp machine, can be used with a smart phone, generally it is best to find a mobile phone with a relatively large USB output power. If the power is too low, it will not be able to carry this portable one. Because power consumption and heat are relatively large, it is not recommended to use the phone for a long time, and the sound quality is not as good as that on the computer.
ES9028Q2M: vivo X6Plus, vivo Xplay5 Ultimate
ES9028C2M: LG G5 B&O Hi-Fi Module
AK4490: ZTE Tianji 7
AK4375: nubia Z9 Max, nubia Z9 Max Elite and nubia My Prague, vivo X5ProV, vivo Y27, vivo X6 and vivo X6S, Gigaset ME pure
CS4398: vivo X1, vivo Xplay, vivo Xshot, vivo X5, vivo X5F, vivo X5Pro, vivo Xplay5, vivo X6S Plus
Many readers may question, the same is the ES90xx chip, what is the suffix of C2M, Q2M and so on? In fact, it means that the chip is packaged differently. C2M is the smallest of the three package sizes. The K2M package area is between C2M and Q2M. Q2M is the largest of the three package specifications. In view of the above ESS DAC chip parameters, the ES9028C2M used by the LG G5 B&O Hi-Fi module is relatively best. However, similar to the Geek Out V2 independent decoding amp integrated machine, LG's Hi-Fi module also has the problem of high heat and high power consumption.
A DAC chip incorporating an op amp chip:
Integrated op amp chip DAC lateral contrast
AK4376: Representative models are nubia Z11 and vivo X7
ES9118: No specific model
SABRE9018Q2C: No specific model
Codec series:
Mainstream codec horizontal contrast
338S1285: iPhone 6s
338S1201: iPhone 6 Plus
338S1117: iPhone 5
Lucky CS47L91: Samsung S7 (Exynos 8890 Edition)
CS43L36: Meizu PRO 6
WM5102: Samsung S4, Meizu MX3, Lenovo K860i
WCD9335: Samsung S7 (éªé¾™820 Edition)
AK4961: nubia Z7 and nubia Z9
Summary: There are a lot of mobile phones using these chips, but they are far from the size of the power supply and the number of op amps, so the sound is incomparable. For the simplest example, the ES9018K2M on the phone is actually a shrinking version of the ES9018, specifically tailored for mobile devices, the former is two-channel, the latter is 8-channel. Whether it's dynamic range or signal-to-noise ratio, the ES9018 is far better than the ES9018K2M. For example, HIFIMAN 901 uses two ES9018 DACs. At the same time, HIFIMAN 901 adopts professional op amp chip models and is more advanced than Hi-Fi mobile phones. The number is also two, which are two OPA2107 and two OPA627.
As shown in the above figure, from ES9018K2M to ES9028Q2M/C2M, the ES9018S gradually shortens the distance on key indicators. On the other hand, the new chip of ES9038PRO continues to make breakthroughs in key indicators, and DNR and THD+N are raised to new heights. .
On the other hand, back to the three mainstream chip solutions of Hi-Fi mobile phones, the independent DAC and the DAC integrated with the op amp chip are generally better in terms of sound quality than the codec solution, which saves the integration of the internal space of the fuselage. The DAC of the op amp chip will be the mainstream solution for the future, used in Hi-Fi phones.
Finally, in a short period of time, the Hi-Fi chip with better performance and higher comprehensive level is generally worse in terms of battery life and heat generation. This is also a technical bottleneck that cannot be avoided, just like when recording and decoding 4K video, the power consumption of the mobile phone. And fever will go up. Better sound quality and superior picture quality definitely have to pay a price.
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