Twisted Pear Audio - Buffalo32S (ES9018 DAC)

[glt]

HDMI was invented for two purposes: one to simplify cabling and two to ensure high resolution signals are securely delivered to the rendering device (i.e., the digital signal not captured through other means). This means that whoever is implementing HDMI in the sending and receiving end must sign a license and among other things the license legally enforces you to ensure that the digital signal is never exposed until rendered to analog.

But if you can tap into the DSD signals in the clear, you can feed them to Buffalo... Some have done that with some Denon players

 

[Joshua_G]

Thanks.

I thought HDMI is protected only for video.

Any idea which Denon Players?

 

[NicMac]

Buffalo takes DSD so if you can locate the non-coded signal in the SACD player you are in luck. It's quite easy on some players but you will have to do some research on your own model.
Nic

 

[Joshua_G]

Does anyone have info about Denon DVD-3930 DSD?

 

[BrianDonegan]

Find out what DAC chip it uses (most likely the TI DSD179x). Look up the datasheet, and find the DSD signal pins. Trace them on the board to a convenient place to tap them and you are in business.

 

[Joshua_G]

Hi Brian,

Thank you very much.

 

[Joshua_G]

The DAC is Burr-Brown PCM1796. I have its' Data Sheet. What pin letters refer to the DSD?

 

[BrianDonegan]

pins 1-3

 

[Joshua_G]

Thanks.

1. Pins 1-3 are labeled ZEROL, ZEROR, MSEL. To what input pins in Buffalo32s DAC each one should be connected?
2. Do I need connect DGND from the player to the DAC?
3. Would a shielded cable for the DSD have any benefit?

 

[Russ White]

On the PCM1796 when it is in DSD mode:

Connect DGND from the player PCB to GND at the Buf32S input.
Pin 7 is the bit clock: connect to DCK on the Buf32S.
Pin 5 is Left channel data: connect to D1 on the Buf32S.
Pin 4 is Right channel data : connect to D2 on the Buf32S.

This will only work correctly while the player is in DSD mode.

If you want to switch between DSD and PCM you will need something like an OTTO.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[Joshua_G]

Hi Russ,

Thanks.

The Denon player itself don't have a DSD mode. Is there a possibility to externally switch the player's DAC to DSD mode?

The OTTO switch will be needed to switch between DSD and the MUX/Receiver output.

 

[Russ White]

When the player is playing an SACD it is in DSD mode.

You could use a simple manual toggle switch to switch between PCM and DSD input on the DAC. No reconfiguration of the DAC itself is required.

 

[Joshua_G]

When the player is playing an SACD it is in DSD mode.

Thanks.

You could use a simple manual toggle switch to switch between PCM and DSD input on the DAC. No reconfiguration of the DAC itself is required.

1. The Buffalo DAC will decode either SACD DSD stream from the player, or the output of the MUX/receiver, which is I2C PCM (or so I believe). So, it seems to me that what I'll need is OTTO switch and no other switching at the DAC, while I may need to reboot the DAC after switching input stream. Is that right?
2. Is there any benefit in using shielded cable for the SACD DSD stream?

 

[toufu]

Hi guys, will the whole thing fit into a 12x12x4 box?

 

[Javin5]

Hi guys, will the whole thing fit into a 12x12x4 box?

If you mean inches, then yes, it will fit. You will even have quite a bit of empty space.

Kurt

 

[Russ White]

Indeed it will fit quite easily.

 

[lindamar]

I received my buffalo32s a few days ago, impressive packaging, impressive finishing !!. It is singing beautifully in my system already.

I have a very simple question though: how do I "short" L1 and L2 on the back of the PCB??? (I must be holly lost in translation, but cannot figure out what is the right thing to do here...and I read the whole forum!!)

Any help would be much appreciate it. A picture is attached just to illustrate how dumb a newbie can be... The only way I could figure out to "short" L1 and L2 is the one you see in the picture, by joining together the two outer grounds of the board... is that correct at all ?

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you
Pepe

 

[Russ White]

I have a very simple question though: how do I "short" L1 and L2 on the back of the PCB???

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you
Pepe

Hi Pepe,

On the latest boards L1 and L2 are already shorted with a jumper (0R Resistor). No need to jumper.

That wire there won't really hurt anything, but it won't help either.

There should be a new version of the manual up very soon. Sorry for the confusion.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[lindamar]

Thank you Russ !!! , holly molly...fast answer!!

I read in the forum as well that there will be available new boards without the IVY analog section, do you have an idea about availability ?

Thank you !.
Cheers, Pepe.

 

[NicMac]

I might be wrong but it looks to me that you have the new board and that the jumpers are already in there. They are the short connections between the two external (analog) and the central (digital) ground planes. What you have done is to join the two analog ground planes, which will hardly do any good (or bad) as these are already both joined to the digital ground.
Nic

Sorry for this but it is hard to beat Russ speed in helping out!!!!!!!