ALC5660 - Realtek Low-Power Audio Codec | QFN
MPN: ALC5660 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.18 | $21.80 |
| 100 | $1.85 | $185.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.38 | $1,380.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.15 | $3,450.00 |
ALC5660 Overview
An audio codec (coder/decoder) is a mixed-signal IC that converts digital audio streams (typically I2S) into analog signals for headphones or line outputs (DAC path) and converts analog microphone or line-in signals into digital audio streams (ADC path). The codec sits in the audio signal chain between the host processor and the analog transducers. Realtek specializes in PC and portable audio codecs, where the ALC5660 family targets power-constrained designs requiring a small PCB footprint.
Key features of the ALC5660 include programmable gain amplifiers on the analog inputs, integrated headphone drivers capable of driving 32-ohm loads, support for multiple sampling rates from 8 kHz to 192 kHz, and flexible digital mixer routing. The device typically supports both hardware pin-strap and software register configuration via I2C, enabling rapid platform bring-up without extensive driver development.
The architecture combines a sigma-delta DAC and ADC with on-chip digital interpolation/decimation filters and an analog output stage optimized for low THD+N. A built-in DC-DC converter interface and low quiescent current make the part suitable for battery-powered systems where standby current directly affects runtime. According to Realtek product documentation, the ALC5660 family is targeted at tablets, portable media players, and docking-station accessories.
Typical applications include Android tablet audio subsystems, portable Bluetooth speaker docks, USB-C headphone adapters, and embedded infotainment front-ends. The wide sampling-rate range also supports VoIP endpoints and dictation devices that require both playback and capture paths on a single chip.
When designing with this device, note that the QFN package requires a thermal pad that must be soldered to the PCB ground plane for thermal and electrical performance. Decoupling capacitors must be placed within 2 mm of the AVDD and DVDD pins to meet the datasheet noise-floor target.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric data, drop-in compatible Realtek and cross-brand alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for ALC5660 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ALC5670
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ALC5640
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ALC5610
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ALC5660 Specifications
| Product Type | Low-power audio codec (DAC + ADC) |
| Manufacturer | Realtek Semiconductor Corp. |
| Package | QFN (lead-free, halogen-free) |
| Digital Audio Interface | I2S (Inter-IC Sound) |
| Control Interface | I2C-compatible |
| DAC Channels | Stereo (2 channels) |
| ADC Channels | Stereo (2 channels) |
| Sampling Rate Support | 8 kHz to 192 kHz |
| Headphone Driver | Integrated, capable of driving 32 ohm loads |
| Input Path | Programmable gain amplifier (PGA) with analog inputs |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Halogen Free | Yes (per Realtek product family) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (QFN) |
ALC5660 qfn (lead-free, halogen-free) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ALC5660 (qfn (lead-free, halogen-free) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for ALC5660.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ALC5660 is suitable for 6 applications: Tablet Audio Subsystem, Portable Bluetooth Speaker Dock, USB-C Headphone Adapter, Embedded Infotainment Front-End, VoIP Endpoint / Dictation Device, Portable Media Player Reference Design.
Tablet Audio Subsystem
The ALC5660 is well suited for Android tablet audio subsystems because its integrated stereo DAC/ADC and headphone amplifier remove the need for an external CODEC-plus-amp two-chip solution, reducing PCB area by roughly 40 percent in compact tablet designs. The 8 kHz to 192 kHz sampling-rate support covers both VoIP capture and high-fidelity playback paths. Placed near the application processor, it interfaces via standard I2S and I2C, simplifying driver integration on Android and Linux kernels.
Recommended
Portable Bluetooth Speaker Dock
Battery-powered Bluetooth speaker docks benefit from the ALC5660's low quiescent current and integrated headphone/line driver, which extends playback runtime by 10 to 15 percent compared with discrete codec-plus-amp solutions. The chip accepts digital audio from a Bluetooth SoC over I2S and directly drives 32-ohm headphone loads without an external amplifier stage. Designers should add 10 uF decoupling on AVDD within 2 mm of the pin to meet the datasheet noise floor.
Recommended
USB-C Headphone Adapter
USB-C headphone adapters that convert a digital USB audio stream to an analog 3.5 mm jack rely on small, low-power codecs such as the ALC5660. Its QFN package fits inside the dongle enclosure alongside a USB audio bridge IC, and the integrated headphone driver eliminates the need for a separate analog amplifier. Sample-rate support up to 192 kHz enables hi-res audio passthrough for premium headphone brands marketing 24-bit / 96 kHz or higher playback.
Recommended
Embedded Infotainment Front-End
Industrial and automotive infotainment front-ends that require both line-level playback and microphone capture benefit from the ALC5660's stereo ADC plus DAC architecture in a single chip. The I2C control interface allows the host MCU to mute, mix, and adjust gain on the fly, which is essential for hands-free VoIP and announcement playback in the same enclosure. Designers should follow the Realtek reference schematic for the AVDD LDO to avoid pop-noise on power-up.
Recommended
VoIP Endpoint / Dictation Device
VoIP desk phones and handheld dictation devices use the ALC5660 to capture the microphone signal and play back the far-end voice simultaneously. Its stereo ADC allows a dual-microphone array for noise cancellation, while the DAC drives the earpiece or a small speaker. Low latency from the I2S interface is critical for echo-canceller performance, and the ALC5660's deterministic digital path supports typical 5 to 10 ms pipeline delays required by commercial VoIP stacks.
Recommended
Portable Media Player Reference Design
Standalone portable media players based on a Linux or RTOS SoC use the ALC5660 as the audio playback path to headphones and the recording path from a built-in microphone. The chip's low standby current extends idle battery life, while its 192 kHz maximum sampling rate enables hi-res FLAC playback for audiophile-targeted products. The QFN footprint keeps the codec footprint under 25 square millimeters, leaving board area for the battery and display.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ALC5660 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ALC5670 | ALC5640 | ALC5610 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | QFN | QFN - same family | QFN - same family | QFN - same family |
| Brand | Realtek | Realtek - same brand | Realtek - same brand | Realtek - same brand |
| Product Type | Stereo audio codec (DAC + ADC) | Stereo audio codec (DAC + ADC) | Stereo audio codec (DAC + ADC) | Stereo audio codec + touch-panel controller |
| Sampling Rate Range | 8 kHz to 192 kHz | 8 kHz to 192 kHz | 8 kHz to 96 kHz | 8 kHz to 96 kHz |
| Digital Audio Interface | I2S | I2S | I2S | I2S |
| Control Interface | I2C | I2C | I2C | I2C |
| Headphone Driver | Integrated (32 ohm capable) | Integrated (32 ohm capable) | Integrated (32 ohm capable) | Integrated (32 ohm capable) |
| Touch Panel Controller | No | No | No | Yes (integrated) |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated headphone amplifier drives 32 ohm loads directly (vs ALC5610)
- Higher sampling-rate ceiling than the ALC5640 (vs ALC5640)
- Lower quiescent current than the ALC5610 (vs ALC5610)
Design Notes
Place 10 uF ceramic decoupling capacitors on AVDD and DVDD within 2 mm of the IC pins to meet the datasheet noise floor. The QFN exposed thermal pad must be soldered to a continuous PCB ground plane, with at least 8 thermal vias connecting the pad to inner ground layers for heat spreading. Avoid routing digital I2S traces across the analog ground split to prevent coupling into the headphone output.
Use a low-noise LDO such as an AP63205WU-7 for the analog 3.3 V supply to avoid injecting switching noise into the headphone output. Sequence the digital supply before the analog supply on power-up, or use the ALC5660's soft-mute register to suppress start-up pop. Place a ferrite bead between the digital and analog 3.3 V domains if they share a source.
Do not leave the I2C SDA/SCL lines floating during reset - the ALC5660 may latch an unintended I2C device address and fail to respond to the host. Add 10 kohm pull-ups to both lines even if the host already provides internal pull-ups. Avoid long I2S MCLK traces that exceed 50 mm, as the cable-like impedance can introduce jitter on the bit clock.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance inferred from Realtek ALC56xx family documentation; -CGT suffix denotes lead-free, halogen-free tape-and-reel packaging. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial-grade audio codec.
