So I'm currently trying to decide what to do next with this project. I have a few other projects floating around that have taken priority (such as collaborating with someone who's building something based on my ESP-01/03 Breakout), and work and travel have gotten in the way recently.

My current thought is to fork my effort, and create two simultaneous layouts with different timeframes:

• Minor revision: only change the footprint of the blasted PCM2706 that gave me such soldering adventures last time. This will be an easy fix, but I run the risk of the board still not working because I haven't isolated the problem.
• Major revision: complete redesign. Reexamine all the circuit components, layout, and logic, to confirm that everything is wired right, and that there are no better parts for the job that could reduce my circuit complexity.
  • For example, a high quality USB DAC chip that could output great signal straight from the chip itself (would replace both PCM2706 & PCM1794).

However, forking will greatly increase cost, as each current run of boards will cost $30 at OSH Park (2"x3" board = $5*(2*3)=$30 for 3), and the parts in the BOM costs roughly $60 each, running to $90 for each iteration of the board (assuming I don't retrieve parts off the outdated boards, which is hard without a hot air gun).

The better solution would be to order a set of parts that I think I will use, and a bunch of SMD to breadboard breakouts, and try to wire everything up in a breadboard to confirm that it will actually work before I layout & order the board. This has the advantage of enabling troubleshooting & reconfiguring of the circuit, but at the expense of complexity, a large breadboard needed, and

My least favorite option, but maybe the best to fit within my life, is to simplify the board, and just use the first-stage PCM2706 into the opamp. This would prove that the opamp and PCM2706 are working, and have a higher chance of success. It would also be simpler, which will allow me a quicker turnaround time and to fit it between my other projects.

If anyone has any opinions, please let me know! I'm currently leaning towards cutting features and getting the PCM2706/opamp combo working on a smaller board, and then trying to get the PCM1794 added in after that's working.