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Buffalo III - flexibility without compromise.

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T

Takaji

Member
Joined 2011
LeonvB said:
I think doing 2 DACs would be the most sensible option, but not with 5 DAC boards. I'd build a dual mono for personal use, and an 8-channel with only 1 board (or 2) with 4 IVYs for work. That saves quite a bit of money.
Click to expand...

I don't see how this could possibly save money... you're proposing using three (or four) DAC boards and still five IVYs?
I am just proposing buying a 5th IVY board for stereo output.
 
T

Takaji

Member
Joined 2011
LeonvB said:
Ok, I thought you were talking about using 4 DAC boards and 4 IVY3s. That would be expensive :)
Click to expand...

Maybe if I was made of money and was crazy enough to think that each channel should have its own DAC
Come to think of it... that would require a big case!

I think that everything I want to do should be able to be done with one DAC board... it just comes down to the question of control :p I've tried calling ESS to request a datasheet but their phone service is terrible. Nobody answers tech support or corp. info lines, and voicemail for tech support is full. Nobody can be reached! So... I sent an email.

In the meantime, I'll order a 5th IVY board.
 
beau2317

beau2317

Banned
Joined 2005
netcam-watcher.com
I have a couple of questions please. I have a BIII on order in the second batch and I'm trying to get things ready ..

1) What value pot can be used to control the built-in volume control? I know that a pot is supplied but I have a motorized/remote control pot and want to know if I can use that.

2) What size is the BIII with attached regulator boards. Sorry I could not find this anywhere.
 
T

Takaji

Member
Joined 2011
Concerning the S/PDIF switcher board, is it possible to have one input on the board connected to both a RCA S/PDIF input and a TOSLINK input? I ask because after connecting the exaU2I to the BIII's inputs I should still have 3 inputs left, which means I can have one dedicated S/PDIF RCA input and one dedicated TOSLINK input, and then ideally a choice between the two types of inputs for the third input to the BIII.
 
BrianDonegan

BrianDonegan

Member
Joined 2004
twistedpearaudio.com
Takaji said:
Concerning the S/PDIF switcher board, is it possible to have one input on the board connected to both a RCA S/PDIF input and a TOSLINK input? I ask because after connecting the exaU2I to the BIII's inputs I should still have 3 inputs left, which means I can have one dedicated S/PDIF RCA input and one dedicated TOSLINK input, and then ideally a choice between the two types of inputs for the third input to the BIII.
Click to expand...

First, the module should not be called the "S/PDIF switcher", as it doesn't actually do any switching. It outputs all four of the S/PDIF signals fed into it. The Buffalo-III does the switching. Just want to be clear there, as it can be misleading to read it.

You want one of the four inputs to have two sources connected to it (a coax and a Toslink)? I think you would want to give each their own input, or maybe I am misreading you.
 
T

Takaji

Member
Joined 2011
From what I've been told, if I connect the exaU2I to the first 5 inputs of the BIII (LR, D1.2, D3.4, D5.6, D7.8), that leaves 3 inputs for S/PDIF connections. Is it possible to use the S/PDIF input module with only 3 of the inputs being used? Ideally two of the inputs would be for an RCA S/PDIF jack and a TOSLINK jack, and then the third input would allow you to choose between an additional TOSLINK or S/PDIF RCA (so the two would be connected together and going to the same input on the board) and the 4th input would not be used since there would be no place to connect it on the BIII.

Or do I have this all wrong? Does the S/PDIF input module output a single output which is then picked by the rotary switch, or does it output 4 individual signal lines?

Can't wait to see the schematics and manual :p

BrianDonegan said:
First, the module should not be called the "S/PDIF switcher", as it doesn't actually do any switching. It outputs all four of the S/PDIF signals fed into it. The Buffalo-III does the switching. Just want to be clear there, as it can be misleading to read it.

You want one of the four inputs to have two sources connected to it (a coax and a Toslink)? I think you would want to give each their own input, or maybe I am misreading you.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Russ White

Russ White

Member
Joined 2005
twistedpearaudio.com
Takaji said:
From what I've been told, if I connect the exaU2I to the first 5 inputs of the BIII (LR, D1.2, D3.4, D5.6, D7.8), that leaves 3 inputs for S/PDIF connections.
Click to expand...

I have never tried it that way, it might work but would require custom firmware for sure. It would need to turn off SPDIF auto detection and switch between PCM and SPDIF modes based on which is selected. Give it a shot. Sounds like fun. :)

Using sidecar would be much simpler. :D It also has the advantage of completely switching out the unused I2S signal when SPDIF is selected.
 
C

cersepn

Member
Joined 2010
Nice to receive email confirmation that my BIII has shipped

I'm wondering if Brian combined the two separate orders together though? The second order contains only the 4 channel SPDIF module, which i didn't realize i needed until after the first BIII stampede rush.. so i paid double the shipping. Will i be refunded for the extra shipping payment?
 
T

Takaji

Member
Joined 2011
Russ White said:
I have never tried it that way, it might work but would require custom firmware for sure. It would need to turn off SPDIF auto detection and switch between PCM and SPDIF modes based on which is selected. Give it a shot. Sounds like fun. :)

Using sidecar would be much simpler. :D It also has the advantage of completely switching out the unused I2S signal when SPDIF is selected.
Click to expand...

I'm going to be modding the Arduino controller software at HiFiDuino (H i F i D U I N O) and building a switcher; something like this: http://takaji.ca/thing/switcher.pdf
 
BrianDonegan

BrianDonegan

Member
Joined 2004
twistedpearaudio.com
cersepn said:
Nice to receive email confirmation that my BIII has shipped

I'm wondering if Brian combined the two separate orders together though? The second order contains only the 4 channel SPDIF module, which i didn't realize i needed until after the first BIII stampede rush.. so i paid double the shipping. Will i be refunded for the extra shipping payment?
Click to expand...

It's hard to say, since I have no idea who you are. Email would probably be a better way to go for such questions. :)
 
J

jwcurtin

Member
Joined 2006
Yes please Leon!
As I am about to build my first DAC, a BIII that is part of the first shipment I will need all the help I can get.
Ever so slightly concerned that the manual is not up yet either, but as the BIII hasn't made it into my hands yet I am not panicing. Yet.
Thanks to Brian & Russ for doing the stuff, and Leon for the guides that help numpties like me, and all contributors to the threads that are the encouragement for me to "have a go."

John
 
Coris

Coris

Member
Joined 2009
Paid Member
I`ve been struggle last sale time to buy my Buffalo III in few tens of seconds from the sales start, and I succeed... Now it still be on sale after 8 hours from sale start...

Run and buy folks!

I`m still waiting for a shipping confirmation (as promised on shipping week of 21 aug.) for my pre order placed on the first sale minute of 6 aug...

Keep on the good work!
 
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