Saturn:Digital Audio (SPDIF) Mod

Original guide adapted from a post by citrus3000psi. A good writeup about this mod can be found on FireBrandX's site.

This tutorial assumes you have a TDA1386T DAC chip in your Saturn.

Required Parts

Parts are dependent on if you want SPDIF or TOSLINK:

• SPDIF:
  • PEP Audio 1.1 - SPDIF PCB by citrus3000psi
  • TX178A (SPDIF port)
  • 0.1uF capacitor

• TOSLINK:
  • PEP Audio 1.2 - TOSLINK PCB by citrus3000psi
  • TC7W04FK chip
  • TC9231N chip
  • Two 0.1uF capacitor (0603 size)

SPDIF Installation

1. Assemble the PEP Audio PCB.
2. On the back of the motherboard, solder these four points to your SPDIF board, matching the names up.

   

3. Solder +5V to pin 7 of the TC9231N and connect GND to your SPDIF board.

   

4. Mount your SPDIF PCB. This is one suggested location, but it may depend on what devices you may have installed in your unit.

   

5. Mount your external jack. This is one suggested location, but may require trimming of the case.

   

• Example completed install:

  

TOSLINK Installation

1. Assemble the PEP Audio PCB.
2. Bridge the "SAT" pad on the PEP Audio PCB to the pad next to it.
3. On the back of the motherboard, solder these four points to your TOSLINK adapter:
   1. DATA on motherboard to DAT on PEP Audio PCB.
   2. BCK on motherboard to BC on PEP Audio PCB.
   3. LRCK on motherboard to LRC on PEP Audio PCB.
   4. MCLK on motherboard to MC on PEP Audio PCB.

   

4. Solder +5V to pin 7 of the TC9231N and connect GND to your TOSLINK adapter.

   

5. Mount your SPDIF/TOSLINK PCB. This is one suggested location, but it may depend on what devices you may have installed in your unit.

   

6. Mount your external jack. This is one suggested location, but may require trimming of the case.

   

• Example completed install: