TY, Yes I hadnt seen that specific one. Im using a DOuk Audio u2 PRO as DDC it spits out i2S via HDMI and has coaxial and OPtical outputs as well. It has 3 sperate active crystal clocks and It brought my cheapo but damn good SMSL SU-1 to another level. Im considering maybe modifying a HDMI cable and feed the protodac i2s from that.
it’s definitely doable, but then you need an additional circuit to convert the differential I2S signals from the HDMI cable to the 3.3V single-ended required by the TDA1387
IMHO, here is a better and simpler solution for about the same price that even have balanced outputs: Raspberry hooked to SMSL D-6s or Topping E50 via async USB. Or even better if you’re a competent computer hobbyist: Replace the raspberry by a BMAX B2 Pro Mini PC (Intel N4100 / 8G RAM / 256G SSD) for 87$ on Aliexpress. You can run Volumio on this but in my case, i use straight MPD on Rocky Linux 8 + RompR docker/podman container as MPD client. I even have other containers and a Home Assistant VM!
I have a Cyan2 and a protodac. I have set them up to AB them with a remote control. I’m litterally floored at how good the Protodac is. You could not even really tell which one is better, They have a very slight tonal difference. the Cyan2 emphasis mid bass a bit more while the protodac feels ever so slightly clearer/brighter.
But they compete in the same class. Nothing like the Topping/SMSL dacs that are a lot less engaging and belong in the class below. The protodac is unbelievable. No need to spend anywhere close what I paid for the Cyan2. The Protodac is more than good enough. I’m running the Cyan2 at 768khz upsampling and the Protodac at 192khz
I thought I would buy one too.
with audyn cap and Charcroft Metal foil resistors.
sounds nice, maybe make a reclocker underneath.
is already starting to take shape.
The screen will still be added and certain buttons will still be assigned functions.
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Killing a NAD 
… You rascal…
I don’t kill him, I give him new life…who still listens to FM/AM😁
euh, people in Lada’s, Trabants, Daf, FSO’s…
It looks pretty OK 
almost done.
only blacken the aluminum plate behind the rotary encoder and button. all the buttons you see now have all been given a function (GPIO and rotary encoder ll plugin used)
Proto Dac now completely ready.
original buttons used.
rotary encoder and infrared.
very nice Dac sounds perfect.
