A digital to analog converter (DAC) is a device to convert an information, in the form of combinations of discrete states, in a voltage or current analog level. They convert signals that have two defined states, on and off, into signals that have a theoretically infinite number of states. Most D/A converters involve a resistive network and, to its components, the bit group that makes up a digital datum is applied. The network resistances are weighted according precise ratios, so the electric current flows through them with an intensity proportional to the applied bit value. The DAC is characterized by the following parameters:

• Resolution: it measures the discrete levels number used to represent a signal and it is generally defined in bits.
• Settling time: it is the time required for an output to reach a final value within the limits of a defined error band.
• Differential non linearity (DNL): it is the difference between the ideal and measured output values for successive DAC codes.
• Integral non linearity (INL): it is the amount that a measured transfer function deviates from an ideal transfer function as defined in a straight line drawn from zero to full scale.
• Power dissipation: it is the maximum watts number dissipated from the device.
• Reference access: it indicates whether the voltage reference is an internal power supply, or the user supplies the voltage reference.

Now let's have a look to 10 TOP DAC that can satisfy many of the designer requirements.

DAC9881 (Texas Instruments)

The DAC9881 is a 18 bit, single channel, voltage output digital to analog converter. It supports a standard SPI serial interface capable of operating with input data clock frequencies up to 50 MHz. Moreover it has the capability to function in either unipolar straight binary or twos complement mode. To learn more @:
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/dac9881.pdf

AK4397 (AKM)

The AK4397 is a high performance premium 32 bit DAC. The AK4397 has full differential SCF outputs, which eliminate the need for AC coupling capacitors and improve performance for systems with excessive clock jitter. To learn more @:
http://www.akemd-eu.com/audioconverter/dac/ak4397.html

AD5361 (Analog Devices)

The AD5361 is a 16-Channel, 14-Bit, Serial Input, Voltage-Output DAC. The AD5361 offers guaranteed operation over a wide supply range with VSS from -4.5 V to -16.5 V and VDD from +8 V to +16.5 V. To learn more @:
http://www.analog.com/en/other/automatic-test-equipment/ad5361/products/...

AL1201G (Wavefront Semiconductor)

The AL1201G is a high performance, low cost, 24 bit DAC. It supports sample rates up to 55kHz becoming an excellent choice for a wide variety of consumer, MI, and pro audio applications. To learn more @: http://www.wavefrontsemi.com/index.php?id=11,12,0,0,1,0

AK4342 (AKM)

http://www.akm.com/prodfolder-dac.asp?p=AK4342 (Per la foto)
The AK4342 is a 24 bit, 96 kHz, stereo DAC. It features an analog mixing circuit that enables a simple interface to external analog audio sources. To learn more @:
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak4342/ak4342_f02e.pdf

LTC1595 (Linear Technology)

The LTC1595 is serial input, a6 bit multiplying current output DAC. It is pin and hardware compatible with the 12 bit DAC8043 and comes in 8 pin PDIP and SO packages. To learn more @: http://www.linear.com/pc/downloadDocument.do?navId=H0,C1,C1155,C1005,C11...

DAC121C081 (National Semiconductor)

The DAC121C081 is a 12 bit, single channel, voltage output DAC. It uses the supply voltage as the reference to provide the widest dynamic output range and typically consumes 132µA while operating at 5V. To learn more @: http://www.national.com/pf/DA/DAC121C081.html#General Description

CS4398 (Cirrus Logic)

The CS4398 is a complete stereo 24 bit /192 kHz DAC. It includes digital de-emphasis, half dB step size volume control, ATAPI channel mixing. It has also a proprietary DSD processor that allows for volume control and 50 kHz on chip filtering without an intermediate decimation stage. To learn more @:
http://www.cirrus.com/en/pubs/proDatasheet/CS4398_F1.pdf

MAX5183 (MAXIM)

The MAX5183 is a dual, 10 bit, 40 MHz, current / voltage simultaneous-output DAC. It is designed to provide a high level of signal integrity for the least amount of power dissipation. A fast wake up time ( 0.5µs ) from standby mode to full DAC operations conserves power by activating the DAC5183 only when required. To learn more @: http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/2124/t/al

RDA112RZ (Teledyne Scientific)

The RDA112RZ is a 12 bit DAC optimized for ultra high speed applications. A track and hold circuit is in it integrated in order to give a flat response at the second Nyquist analog band. To learn more @ : http://www.teledyne-si.com/highspeed/rda112rz.html

The DACs above shown do not belong at the same application area, but cover several of them and , naturally, there are hundreds of DACs for every purpose. Moreover we have named only some manufacturer, but, of course, the manufacturer list is much longer.

All the digital-to-analog-converters from Farnell