I tested the QA550 today with the TCXO removed, and directly driven by the divided clock signal from the ES9022 XO (45.1584 MHz).
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digi...ng-new-ess-vout-dac-es9022-2.html#post2458187
Sounds wonderful. Need some more serious listening.
So have to give John this one. Synchronuous with one XO for all remains the best solution.
Patrick
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digi...ng-new-ess-vout-dac-es9022-2.html#post2458187
Sounds wonderful. Need some more serious listening.
So have to give John this one. Synchronuous with one XO for all remains the best solution.
Patrick
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Yes it does sound better than it should. Give it a decent power supply and it will out perform many others. The fact that it doesn't need an output stage is a big plus, also means casing it up is a lot simpler. But the main thing is how it sounds - and that's very good. My points of reference : buffalo with all shunt supplies, audiosector nos, pass d1.
I'm very much looking forward to trying EUVL's implementation in the near future
Fran
Yesterday I received a nice thing from the mainland of Europe..... EUVLs 8804-9022 DAC.
I had asked for the regs to be left off as I had planned to run it from 4 separate batteries. The wiring was easily completed and the DAC worked right away out of the can.
I listened for a little while last night and again tonight - this DAC sounds really really good.
I need some more time for better comparisons, but from the get go, it sounds great. I will be comparing it against a buffalo 1 with all shunt supplies and counterpoint output stages, an audiosector NOS premium dac, another 9022 run from a battery and fed by a twisted pear 8804 board, and also a Pass D1 clone from spencer. Sources will be 2 different shigaclones and 2 different squeezeboxes.
EUVL can describe the exact configuration in better terms than I can...... photos etc to follow in the next couple of days.
Fran
I had asked for the regs to be left off as I had planned to run it from 4 separate batteries. The wiring was easily completed and the DAC worked right away out of the can.
I listened for a little while last night and again tonight - this DAC sounds really really good.
I need some more time for better comparisons, but from the get go, it sounds great. I will be comparing it against a buffalo 1 with all shunt supplies and counterpoint output stages, an audiosector NOS premium dac, another 9022 run from a battery and fed by a twisted pear 8804 board, and also a Pass D1 clone from spencer. Sources will be 2 different shigaclones and 2 different squeezeboxes.
EUVL can describe the exact configuration in better terms than I can...... photos etc to follow in the next couple of days.
Fran
I did some comparisons tonight between the EUVL 8804/9022 and another version, with a twisted pear 8804 receiver and 9022 on a ebay expansion board. Both powered off LiFePO batteries, but with 4 on the EUVL one and 2 on the other.
Short story: better highs and lows with the EUVL version. Bass is definitely tighter, and the treble clearer. I also think I can hear more small details (resolution), especially in live recordings where there is a fair bit of audience noise. Now it isn't a huge difference, but definitely noticeable and easy to tell apart.
Rest of test system:
Shigaclone
aikido 6SN7 pre
modified dynaco ST70 with KT66s
Stacked quads
More and different comparisons to come....
Fran
Short story: better highs and lows with the EUVL version. Bass is definitely tighter, and the treble clearer. I also think I can hear more small details (resolution), especially in live recordings where there is a fair bit of audience noise. Now it isn't a huge difference, but definitely noticeable and easy to tell apart.
Rest of test system:
Shigaclone
aikido 6SN7 pre
modified dynaco ST70 with KT66s
Stacked quads
More and different comparisons to come....
Fran
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Slight correction if I may -- my SPDIF receiver is also a WM8804 and not 8805.
So the difference you can hear is based on both set-up's using identical chip sets.
The difference is relatively easy to explain.
It has to do with power supply decoupling, especially for the ES9022, and HF filtering at the output stage.
I actually asked ESS Tech about in-depth details of their analog output stage, as well the the negative supply generation circuit, before deciding on how I implement the module (which is quite different from datasheet standard circuit).
Patrick
So the difference you can hear is based on both set-up's using identical chip sets.
The difference is relatively easy to explain.
It has to do with power supply decoupling, especially for the ES9022, and HF filtering at the output stage.
I actually asked ESS Tech about in-depth details of their analog output stage, as well the the negative supply generation circuit, before deciding on how I implement the module (which is quite different from datasheet standard circuit).
Patrick
Sorry, the 8805 was a mistake - corrected now.
Interesting reason........ it's good to have one.
The other thing I forgot to mention above was that the dac also presents vocals differently - they move forward in the soundstage. I know it seems strange but I tried several different cds and found the same thing.
Interesting reason........ it's good to have one.
The other thing I forgot to mention above was that the dac also presents vocals differently - they move forward in the soundstage. I know it seems strange but I tried several different cds and found the same thing.
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