PCM1704U - 24-Bit 96kHz Audio DAC | Texas Instruments
MPN: PCM1704U ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.5 | $24.50 |
| 10 | $22.8 | $228.00 |
| 100 | $20.9 | $2,090.00 |
| 500 | $19.5 | $9,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.2 | $18,200.00 |
PCM1704U Overview
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is a mixed-signal device that transforms digital audio sample data into a continuous analog voltage or current. Within the signal-chain hierarchy, a DAC sits between a digital audio source (DSP, receiver, or interpolation filter) and the analog output stage (I/V converter and low-pass filter) of an audio system. High-resolution audio DACs such as the PCM1704 define the ultimate fidelity limit of the entire playback chain.
Key features of the PCM1704U include exceptionally high dynamic performance, ultra-low distortion, and excellent low-level signal linearity. The advanced sign-magnitude architecture uses two matched DAC cores steered by a sign bit, which eliminates zero-crossing distortion - a fundamental weakness of conventional unipolar ladder DACs. This makes the device especially strong at reproducing quiet passages where low-level linearity matters most.
Technically, the PCM1704 is fabricated on a BiCMOS process that combines high-speed bipolar analog circuitry with low-power CMOS logic. The serial audio input interface accepts standard I2S-style data, bit clock, and left/right clock signals, and the device is designed to be paired with a digital interpolation filter for 8x oversampling operation at 96kHz sampling rates.
Typical applications include high-end consumer audio CD and SACD players, professional studio mastering equipment, digital mixing consoles, and audiophile outboard DACs, where the PCM1704's ultra-low distortion directly translates into greater dynamic range and transparency.
Design consideration: because the PCM1704 requires dual supplies and an external I/V conversion stage, and is now obsoleted by Texas Instruments, new designs should budget for end-of-life sourcing or evaluate the PCM179x family, which TI identifies as the recommended performance successor rather than a pin-compatible replacement.
This page adds value beyond the manufacturer datasheet by synthesizing distributor availability, grade-variant comparisons, obsolescence guidance from TI E2E forums, and practical design notes in one place.
Drop-in alternatives for PCM1704U — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PCM1704U (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Resolution, Converter Type, Operating Temperature, Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PCM1704U-J
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PCM1704U-K
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PCM1704U/2K
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCM1704U-K/2K
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCM1704U Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 24 bit |
| Sampling Frequency | 16 kHz to 96 kHz |
| Oversampling | 8x at 96 kHz |
| Converter Type | BiCMOS Sign-Magnitude DAC |
| Interface | Serial (Audio) |
| Application | Audio (SoundPlus) |
| Settling Time | 0.2 us |
| Power Supply | +/-5 V (dual supply) |
| Operating Temperature | -25C to +85C |
| Package | 20-SOIC |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Technology | BiCMOS |
| Number of DACs | 1 |
| Dynamic Performance | Ultra-low distortion, high dynamic range (per datasheet) |
PCM1704U 20-soic Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PCM1704U (20-soic package). This analog component features input, output, and power supply pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for offset null, compensation, and enable pin configurations. Ideal for signal conditioning and amplifier circuits.
No detailed pinout data available for PCM1704U.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PCM1704U is suitable for 6 applications: High-End CD and SACD Player DAC Stage, Professional Studio Mastering Converters, Audiophile Outboard DAC and DIY Builds, Digital Mixing Console Output Channels, Measurement and Reference Signal Generation, Legacy Broadcast and Studio Infrastructure Repair.
High-End CD and SACD Player DAC Stage
In flagship CD and SACD players, the PCM1704U converts the decoded 24-bit digital stream into the analog waveform that defines the player's sound. Its sign-magnitude architecture eliminates the zero-crossing distortion typical of unipolar DACs, so quiet passages and single-instrument notes are reproduced with exceptional low-level linearity. Operating at 16kHz to 96kHz sampling with 8x oversampling at 96kHz via an upstream interpolation filter such as the DF1704, the PCM1704's 0.2 microsecond settling and ultra-low THD+N let the I/V converter and analog filter - not the DAC - set the sonic character. Dual +/-5V supplies should be derived from low-noise linear regulators to preserve the datasheet dynamic range.
Recommended
Professional Studio Mastering Converters
Mastering-grade D/A converter boxes demand the lowest distortion and cleanest low-level behavior available, because engineers make critical tonal and level decisions on these monitors. The PCM1704U's ultra-low THD+N and excellent low-level signal performance per the TI datasheet make it suitable for reference monitor paths at 96kHz working rates. In a typical channel, a DSP or DF1704 filter feeds the serial port, the PCM1704 current output drives a precision I/V converter, and the resulting signal feeds balanced line drivers. With -25C to +85C operation, the part tolerates warm equipment racks. Since the device is EOL, mastering shops should stock spares or qualify a PCM1792A-based replacement channel.
Recommended
Audiophile Outboard DAC and DIY Builds
The PCM1704 remains a favorite of the audiophile DIY community, as seen in long-running diyAudio discussions about PCM1704U-K availability. Builders value the sign-magnitude topology's freedom from zero-crossing distortion and the classic 'SoundPlus' sonic signature. A typical build pairs the PCM1704U with an external receiver/filter front end, discrete or op-amp I/V conversion, and tube or Class-A output stages at +/-5V supplies. Because the chip is obsolete, DIY builders source remaining stock through Octopart-tracked distributors and brokers, and often choose the K grade for its tighter THD+N. Careful grounding and local decoupling on both rails are essential to realize the low-level performance.
Recommended
Digital Mixing Console Output Channels
Professional digital mixers require many D/A channels with consistent, low-distortion conversion for monitor and main outputs. The PCM1704U's serial input interface allows straightforward clocking from a shared system master clock, and its 96kHz capability supports high-rate console architectures. Its 0.2 microsecond settling time and high dynamic performance keep transients intact on drum and percussion buses, while low-level linearity preserves reverb tails at low fader positions. Multi-channel boards built around PCM1704U now face EOL maintenance issues; service organizations should inventory grade-variant replacements (U-J, U-K) which drop into the identical 20-SOIC footprint without PCB changes.
Recommended
Measurement and Reference Signal Generation
Precision audio test sets and legacy automated test equipment used the PCM1704U as the playback converter for generating low-distortion analog stimulus signals. The 24-bit resolution and ultra-low THD+N allow generation of test tones whose distortion floor is below that of the device under test, which is essential for meaningful audio measurements. Serial interfacing from FPGA or DSP logic plus 8x oversampling filtering yields clean spectral output up to 96kHz sampling. Given EOL status, instrument service depots should qualify the PCM1792A on a redesign or secure remaining PCM1704U/K stock now, since test-equipment downtime is costly and second-source options do not exist pin-for-pin.
Recommended
Legacy Broadcast and Studio Infrastructure Repair
Broadcast facilities and recording studios with installed PCM1704-based converter cards need exact replacements to keep proven equipment running. Only the PCM1704 grade variants (PCM1704U-J, PCM1704U-K, and the /2K tape-and-reel codes) provide true pin-to-pin, same-footprint substitution in the 20-SOIC package; TI has confirmed on E2E that no other device is pin-compatible. Repair technicians should verify grade suffixes against the original THD+N specification, observe ESD handling during SOIC replacement, and confirm both +/-5V rail integrity before installing the new DAC. Maintaining a stock of K-grade parts gives the lowest distortion margin for future repairs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PCM1704U — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PCM1704U-J | PCM1704U-K | PCM1704U/2K | PCM1704U-K/2K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Resolution | 24 bit | 24 bit | 24 bit | 24 bit | 24 bit |
| Sampling Frequency | 16 kHz to 96 kHz | 16 kHz to 96 kHz | 16 kHz to 96 kHz | 16 kHz to 96 kHz | 16 kHz to 96 kHz |
| THD+N Grade | Standard (U grade) | Tighter than U (J grade) | Tightest (K premium grade) | Standard (same as U) | Tightest (K premium grade) |
| Architecture | BiCMOS sign-magnitude | BiCMOS sign-magnitude | BiCMOS sign-magnitude | BiCMOS sign-magnitude | BiCMOS sign-magnitude |
| Power Supply | +/-5 V | +/-5 V | +/-5 V | +/-5 V | +/-5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL (obsolete) | EOL (obsolete) | EOL (obsolete) | EOL (obsolete) | EOL (obsolete) |
Key Differentiators
- Sign-magnitude architecture eliminates zero-crossing distortion (vs PCM1792A)
- 96kHz operation with 8x oversampling at end-of-life vintage (vs PCM1795)
- Grade variants enable distortion-level upgrades without PCB change (vs PCM1704U-J)
Design Notes
The PCM1704U requires dual +/-5V analog supplies on a BiCMOS process whose bipolar output stage is sensitive to rail noise. Use low-noise linear regulators (for example, an ultra-low-noise LDO on the positive rail) rather than switching converters directly, and provide local 10uF plus 0.1uF decoupling at both supply pins. Keep analog and digital ground returns separate, joining at a single star point, so digital return currents from the serial interface do not modulate the analog reference and degrade the DAC's ultra-low distortion floor.
The PCM1704 current output must feed an external I/V converter - typically a low-noise, wideband op-amp such as OPA627 or OPA1612 - before any significant load. Keep the trace from the DAC output pin to the I/V summing node as short as possible; any series inductance here converts into glitch energy and distortion. The datasheet application circuit pairs the DAC with a digital interpolation filter (8x oversampling at 96kHz); follow its recommended clock routing so bit-clock and left/right-clock edges do not crosstalk into the analog output section.
The most frequent PCM1704U pitfall today is sourcing: the part is EOL, and counterfeit or remarked SOIC-20 DACs circulate on broker markets. Buy from authorized distributors with date-code traceability, and remember that grade suffixes matter - a PCM1704U-K has a tighter THD+N spec than a standard U. Also note TI has stated on the E2E audio forum that no pin-to-pin replacement exists; do not assume PCM179x devices drop onto a PCM1704 footprint, as they require PCB redesign.
Compliance Information
Compliance data was not present in the retrieved web data. Because the device is obsolete, verify RoHS/REACH status on the official TI PCM1704 product folder or via distributor material declarations before use in restricted products.
