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Introducing the Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9028/9038

I will be updating my 6-channel rig over the winter, but am not interested in changing the I/V arrangements I already use (3 Legato boards). So I'm using 9028s rather than the 9038.

Regards,

Frank

As far as I know, the output current,

1 channel of ES9038 = 4 channel sum of ES9018 = 1 channel stereo (4 sum into 1) of ES9018 [Legato]

So I believe, in multi channel mode, your Legato is perfectly fine to run on ES9038.
 
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Joined 2007
Paid Member
So I believe, in multi channel mode, your Legato is perfectly fine to run on ES9038.

That’s my understanding too. As-is, my DAC is very musical. I’ve developed somewhat unconventional applications for I2C controls of 3 separate stereo 9018s. So in that environment I plan to experiment with the 9028’s (and 38s) new filters etc. It’s just enjoying the hobby - not necessarily the shortest route to the cutting edge. :)

I’ll watch with interest as an 8-channel I/V stage is developed and tested!

Frank
 
As far as I know, the output current,

1 channel of ES9038 = 4 channel sum of ES9018 = 1 channel stereo (4 sum into 1) of ES9018 [Legato]

So I believe, in multi channel mode, your Legato is perfectly fine to run on ES9038.

You definitely can run legato with 9038 - I just need to calculate the appropriate resistor values - it will definitely work but to do it effectively the output will likely be in the 4VRMS range.

I Think (not tested yet) simply using 120R at the top would work.

Cheers!
Russ
 
Question, are the EXT_IO pins and the I2C pins 5v tolerant? I am planning to use a Arduino Uno to control the EXT_IO settings and poll the DAC for sampling rate.

Thanks
Martin

Like Russ said, they should be according to the manual. The 9018's definitely were.

My comment is that the 9028/9038 now support using one of the GPIO pins as an interrupt pin that you can poll to see whether there is a change in lock status or sampling rate, so that you don't have to constantly read the sampling rate off of the relevant registers like you had to do with the 9018. That's how I'm doing it in my code.
 
Accord to Buffalo-IIIsePro Manual, the borad only is soldered VDD, AVCCL and AVCCR regulators if the board is without Volume Control ADC and External MCK. Am I correct?

AVCC-SR Dual 3.6V is not used when the board is without Volume Control ADC and External MCK?

Use the male/female headers for all of the trident's/AVCC so that it is easy to change them or in the case of VDD_XO omit it.

For external MCK all you do is omit VDD_XO - you need all of the other supplies.

IF you don't want volume control - you add the jumper at the ADC header as indicated.
 
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Joined 2004
Paid Member
My take on 38Pro

My take on the 38Pro

A short listening impression.

[FONT=Courier New, Courier, monospace]At first I thought the sound was muffled/veiled,like the volume was lower, it was not.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New, Courier, monospace][FONT=Courier New, Courier, monospace]The background seems darker.
There is an ease to the sound, where
before a subtle sense of tension.
[/FONT]
So as I listened I became aware of a greater
presence of instruments. Greater resolving
power, little subtleties in performances &
instruments not heard before.

Then it dawned on me that the 9018 had a
sharpness to its sound, where now on the
Sabre38Pro, it was smooth. Don't get me wrong, leading edge of sounds are there, no loss of
details, in fact greater detail, but not in
your face.

Hope I've made sense.

Very worth while upgrade from 9018 ! :) :up::up::up:


Tidal via Roon ROCK Linux server
to
BBB/Hermes/Cronus
to
TP Sabre38Pro w/Mercury I/V
to
Pass First Watt F6 (clone) with SemiSouth SIC outputs
to
Thor SEAS speakers



Turangalila Symphony, Andre Previn London Sym. Orch. on EMI

Adam Schoenberg: American Symphony, Michael Stern Kansas City Sym., Reference Recordings RR-139

Oscalypso, Erik Friedlander, Audio & Video Labs

Silent Night, Carols with St. Pauls Cathedral Chior, Andrew Carwood, Decca

The Infernal Machine; Fink & Royal Concertgebouw Orch. Ivan Meylemans on Ninja Tune

Strut Pt 1 ; Antonio Sanchez; Birdman (Soundtrack)

Short Ride in a Fast Machine;Adams; Bournmouth Sym. Orch.

Into the Mystic; Van Morrison; Moondance

Black; Rome; Danger Mouse/ Norah Jones; B.I.M. Orch.

Highway Tune; Greta Van Fleet; From The Fires[/FONT]
 
Quick impressions - 9038 PRO

The end result produced by the TPA 3 SE 9038 PRO / Mercury combo on a revealing ATC system with NC400 amplification, is another league up from the Bufallo II with tridents /IVY III that got replaced.

Salas and Placid HD shunt regulators used in the power section, as before.

The filter used so far is the apodizing one.

Going back to the sound, everything is more natural. Soundstage is more defined, and cymbals are perfect with this combo. Another great surprise was the voices were singers like Sigrid and Dillon are a pure delight to listen too.

Overall very special and thoroughly recommended.

Many Thx Russ for the design and execution.
 
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