What's inside the audio expansion card?

Framework Laptop 13
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The description says “increased dynamic range and improved signal to noise ratio” but doesn’t mention the chipset. Which DAC is inside this card? Anyone want to share their lsusb output? :slightly_smiling_face:

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Sure. Don’t know what DAC it is, but here’s my lsusb output:

32ac:0010 Framework Audio Expansion Card

Edit: I popped it open, and there appears to be only one IC, and it’s quite small. Doesn’t seem to be a lot going on in there.

3

Can you make macro pictures (often possible with a phone!) of the IC so it can be identified?

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Here’s a photo of the front and back. I need to get a loupe out to see if I can read what is on the main IC

IMG_3707
IMG_37073024×4032 1.38 MB

IMG_3708
IMG_37083024×4032 2.01 MB

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IMG_3714
IMG_37141823×2198 634 KB

Got it. Not sure if this helps.

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Mine has almost the same numbers: 993 SE0094 3523G 2127V

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interesting! that’s certainly what electronics wizards will be looking for. i can’t find anything on the web with a casual search, so this certainly needs more digging or help from Framework itself!

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8

is that marker? on the first pic, top left corner?

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Yeah, it’s got several marks on the PCB including black marker. Presumably for tracking some kind of assembly or QC step.

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10

Is it good for analog hifi recording off microphone preamps? I mean pro microphones into low noise mixers, etc. I have USB stuff, but would like to know how good/quiet a dynamic mic directly or from a phantom box, instruments, etc. into it is. Is it even stereo?
Would be neat if the card, on a short USB extension would keep it away from the computer chassis noise.

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For wired audio (when I don’t need mic), I just use the Tanchjim Space and call it a day.

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I believe it’s a standard trrs jack with stereo audio out and mono mic in, as you normally find on laptops and phones.

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13

Are there any board upgrades instead of the standard board replacement?

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Not officially from Framework.

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Ah, we intended to share this, but apparently never did. The Audio Expansion Card uses a Conexant CX31993 USB audio CODEC.

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Well regarded IC! Definitely a good choice!

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Is it possible to hack the card so it doesnt fall off the usb bus when theres nothing plugged in to it? I would prefer it to be always there, like a traditional pc audio card. (this is mostly because I use buggy hobbyist audio software on linux, so this is mostly a workaround)