A stereo audio DAC that brings high performance audio to the PC motherboard has been introduced by Wolfson Microelectronics. PCI sound cards, Net connected Hi-fi systems, and HDD based media servers can benefit from the Wolfson WM9709's Intel specified AC-Link architecture.

Initially developed for a games platform, Wolfson's WM9709 is one of the world's first DACs that addresses emerging consumer audio applications using PC technology. PCs typically use the AC'97 standard but have not previously demanded the highest performance audio, whereas consumer audio products generally use higher performance DACs with an I(2)S type interface. WM9709 combines a high-performance 20-bit stereo DAC with an AC'97 control and data interface, commonly used on most motherboards.

Operating from a supply voltage of 3.3V or mixed 3V digital, 5V analog, the WM9709 provides an audio performance of 102dB SNR and -95dB Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). The device supports surround, center, and LFE channels.

Complete reference design documentation and evaluation boards are available now.

(http://www.wolfsonmicro.com)