Usually, you hear the opposite; i.e. if a CD-transport has both optical and coax output, coax is preferable (lower jitter, etc.). This has to do with the fact that optical Toslink is more bandlimited, almost always to 96 kb/s. However, the Toshibe device used in the Twisted Pear optical module supports twice that, if my memory is correct, so you should get good results either way.
We used to have the TORX142LF which supported 192kHz, but those are all gone now. We now use the TORX147LF (96kHz).
I have heard one user saying that using the external TPA SPDIF to I2S converter is sonically preferrable. The question is if the Sabre on-chip converter is as good as the best one on a dedicated chip. With everything they had to cramp into that Sabre chip, there may have been restrictions in space or complexity; I just don't know. It would be interesting to hear from people who have compared these two setups in direct A/B testing.
How can I see which one I have? I don't see a type number, maybe it's covered after assembly? It works well at 96 Khz, but I presently have no Toslink 192 Khz source to test.
It's stamped on the back of the TORX module. No one makes 192kHz optical sources that I am aware of (no one makes the transmitters that fast any more).
Hi all,
There is so much talk about (extreme) bit-depths and sample-rates on this and other threads. The Buffalo takes them all. It's very versatile.
Don't forget, however, that Buffalo also, and maybe in particular, does miracles to the red-book audio format (16/44.1) which is on the trillions of CD's we are listening too now and probably for some years to come......
Compare a "crappy" multi-format DVD-player and a >1000$ audiophile "CD-only counterpart"; connect it digital out (S/PDIF, coaxial or optical) to Buffalo and you can't hear any difference.... It just sounds great!!!
As added value attenuation in the digital domain with the Buffalo (at least in the 32-bit version) is essentially a free lunch making resistor, optocoupler and transformer based attenuation entirely outdated technology. You may still need this for your analog sources, but that's a different story.
IMO
Nic
There is so much talk about (extreme) bit-depths and sample-rates on this and other threads. The Buffalo takes them all. It's very versatile.
Don't forget, however, that Buffalo also, and maybe in particular, does miracles to the red-book audio format (16/44.1) which is on the trillions of CD's we are listening too now and probably for some years to come......
Compare a "crappy" multi-format DVD-player and a >1000$ audiophile "CD-only counterpart"; connect it digital out (S/PDIF, coaxial or optical) to Buffalo and you can't hear any difference.... It just sounds great!!!
As added value attenuation in the digital domain with the Buffalo (at least in the 32-bit version) is essentially a free lunch making resistor, optocoupler and transformer based attenuation entirely outdated technology. You may still need this for your analog sources, but that's a different story.
IMO
Nic
Got mine in the post 15 hours ago and...
IT LIVES!
So far it sounds great. My first DAC (I waited until I could get the best!) and only really my 2nd DIY project (after my Linkwitz Plutos - through which I'll be pumping my BII goodness).
If an idiot like me can get it working in one (long) day - anyone can.
Much thanks to Russ, Brian and all those in this thread and the TP support forum.
IT LIVES!
So far it sounds great. My first DAC (I waited until I could get the best!) and only really my 2nd DIY project (after my Linkwitz Plutos - through which I'll be pumping my BII goodness).
If an idiot like me can get it working in one (long) day - anyone can.
Much thanks to Russ, Brian and all those in this thread and the TP support forum.
Looks like mine will take a little while, arrived in the Netherlands on the 25th into customs. And now is out of customs in Ireland??:
March 25, 2010 7:04 pm AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENT, Into Foreign Customs
March 30, 2010 5:51 pm DUBLIN IRELAND, Out of Foreign Customs
Sure hope they mean out of customs Amsterdam
...
March 25, 2010 7:04 pm AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENT, Into Foreign Customs
March 30, 2010 5:51 pm DUBLIN IRELAND, Out of Foreign Customs
Sure hope they mean out of customs Amsterdam
...
Looks like mine will take a little while, arrived in the Netherlands on the 25th into customs. And now is out of customs in Ireland??:
March 25, 2010 7:04 pm AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENT, Into Foreign Customs
March 30, 2010 5:51 pm DUBLIN IRELAND, Out of Foreign Customs
Sure hope they mean out of customs Amsterdam
It seems to me that they take that whole European Union thing a little too seriously
I believe spdif is better than optical, and with an isolation transformer before BII its even better!
Those questions doesn't belong to the Buffalo II thread. A Buffalo modifications thread would be more appropriate. Anyhow, it isn't up to the Twisted Pear team to delve into modification not included in their products, or they haven't done themselves.
Generally speaking, modifications aren't recommended to newbies, unless tried and working modifications are presented by members. Unless one knows what one is doing and why, one may not attain a working solution.
With a tube buffer, or tube analog stage, transformer coupling is viable option, though not the only one.
Transformer by itself may be sufficient as an I-V stage, and it may not. It depends mainly on the load. Before you'll try, you wouldn't know. Trying various possibilities is what modifications are about.
Go ahead with it.
In that respect, Buffalo isn't different from any other current DAC. Only, different DACs call for different loading at their output.
Introducing Legato
This is just to show how things are progressing on the discrete output stage front. This circuit is called Legato. It is a derivative of Counterpoint but without the folded cascode and with an optional buffer and some other changes. Both the input and the output impedance are quite low when this buffer is employed. When I say low I mean less than 1 ohm low. Without the buffer output impedance is around ~200ohms(back of the envelope calc) but the input impedance is still extremely low. Low input impedance is the key to getting the most out of the ES9018.
Now some of you will spot IC1. It is an optional Balanced to SE converter. I only added it because I had room. You don't have to use it at all.
It is is exactly the same form factor as IVY-III and will come ready to work with Buffalo II. Though it will also work quite well with our COD DAC too with some component value changes.
Anyway I am posting here to get some gauge of interest.
Oh and one more critical detail. There is no negative feedback employed in the core circuit. So if you use balanced outputs there is zero global NFB.
I have tested the circuit. It is sounding very sweet.
Cheers!
Russ
This is just to show how things are progressing on the discrete output stage front. This circuit is called Legato. It is a derivative of Counterpoint but without the folded cascode and with an optional buffer and some other changes. Both the input and the output impedance are quite low when this buffer is employed. When I say low I mean less than 1 ohm low.
Without the buffer output impedance is around ~200ohms(back of the envelope calc) but the input impedance is still extremely low. Low input impedance is the key to getting the most out of the ES9018.Now some of you will spot IC1. It is an optional Balanced to SE converter. I only added it because I had room. You don't have to use it at all.
It is is exactly the same form factor as IVY-III and will come ready to work with Buffalo II. Though it will also work quite well with our COD DAC too with some component value changes.
Anyway I am posting here to get some gauge of interest.
Oh and one more critical detail. There is no negative feedback employed in the core circuit. So if you use balanced outputs there is zero global NFB.
I have tested the circuit. It is sounding very sweet.
Cheers!
Russ
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Russ:
This looks very interesting. In another life I built a Borbely discrete output stage and filter to use with a PCM63.
I bought the Buffalo II so I could experiment.
This weekend I should have it up and running with Lundhal transformers. I will follow with a Welborne Cato low voltage differential output stage and possibly a Lampizator 6SN7 (balanced in SE out) circuit.
I will gladly add your new board to my experiments. This is how I learn and find what works for my ears and system.
When you say balanced to SE is optional by use of IC1 do you mean you could also get SE by using only either one of plus or minus outputs or if you need SE this is the way to go.
Thanks again for the ability to experiment and your great products
Bob
This looks very interesting. In another life I built a Borbely discrete output stage and filter to use with a PCM63.
I bought the Buffalo II so I could experiment.
This weekend I should have it up and running with Lundhal transformers. I will follow with a Welborne Cato low voltage differential output stage and possibly a Lampizator 6SN7 (balanced in SE out) circuit.
I will gladly add your new board to my experiments. This is how I learn and find what works for my ears and system.
When you say balanced to SE is optional by use of IC1 do you mean you could also get SE by using only either one of plus or minus outputs or if you need SE this is the way to go.
Thanks again for the ability to experiment and your great products
Bob
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