Reference DAC Module - Discrete R-2R Sign Magnitude 24 bit 384 KHz

[ynmichael]

It's a little confusing, all your posts. But just connect all dam1021 GND's together and all the isolated GND's together too. They each need to be connected together so the signals have the same GND reference.

You can use any transformer designed for SPDIF audio.

I misinterpreted your post. I'm not worried about connecting the GNDs of each section together, but rather connecting GND and isolated GND. This is bad practice right?...


If I were to take 3.3 and 1.2 directly from dam1021, does it matter if I take the GND from J2 or the GND next to SPDIF inputs? Thanks!

 

[soekris]

I misinterpreted your post. I'm not worried about connecting the GNDs of each section together, but rather connecting GND and isolated GND. This is bad practice right?...

No, it will break isolation between the I2S source and the analog audio.

If I were to take 3.3 and 1.2 directly from dam1021, does it matter if I take the GND from J2 or the GND next to SPDIF inputs? Thanks!

doesn't matter.

 

[ynmichael]

No, it will break isolation between the I2S source and the analog audio.



doesn't matter.

Just out of curiosity, would it break isolation if only 3.3v is shared?

Also, is there still a reason to favor XMOS cards more than Amanero in a dam1021 implementation? Thank you!

 

[soekris]

Just out of curiosity, would it break isolation if only 3.3v is shared?

Yes.

Also, is there still a reason to favor XMOS cards more than Amanero in a dam1021 implementation? Thank you!

I don't favor any USB to I2S cards. But I have been using XMOS myself...

 

[ynmichael]

Yes.



I don't favor any USB to I2S cards. But I have been using XMOS myself...

Thanks for the info!

 

[analog_sa]

The unfortunate reality, if you are inclined to compare such things, is that USB interfaces sound dramatically different, even when comparing only Xmos based devices. Once bought a very early Amanero and it really sucked, but perhaps they have been improved since.

Does reclocking eliminate these audible differences? Not in the least ime.

 

[hop.sing]

The unfortunate reality, if you are inclined to compare such things, is that USB interfaces sound dramatically different, even when comparing only Xmos based devices. Once bought a very early Amanero and it really sucked, but perhaps they have been improved since.

Does reclocking eliminate these audible differences? Not in the least ime.

+1
And how can we determine which one is closer to reality?
Difficult.
Btw. The Amanero sounds much better to my ears, when you disconnect the USB power supply on the card and supply very clean 3,3v through the corresponding pin.

 

[ynmichael]

The unfortunate reality, if you are inclined to compare such things, is that USB interfaces sound dramatically different, even when comparing only Xmos based devices. Once bought a very early Amanero and it really sucked, but perhaps they have been improved since.

Does reclocking eliminate these audible differences? Not in the least ime.

That sounds strange and worthy of investigation... especially since the theory appears to suggest otherwise... I do know Amanero made new PCB updates in the "2019 version" so maybe there is room for improvement... I doubt that it's significant though...

+1
And how can we determine which one is closer to reality?
Difficult.
Btw. The Amanero sounds much better to my ears, when you disconnect the USB power supply on the card and supply very clean 3,3v through the corresponding pin.

The onboard ADP151 is decent, but I plan to input regulated 5V to replace USB 5V as well. Btw, did you connect an additional GND for the external power? It should increase the size of the ground loop right? But maybe it helps divert current from the signal GNDs. What's your opinion on this? Thanks!

 

[iTiberius]

+1
...
Btw. The Amanero sounds much better to my ears, when you disconnect the USB power supply on the card and supply very clean 3,3v through the corresponding pin.

 

[ynmichael]

An additional benefit of external power supply for Amanero is that you get it keep it on all the time (I think). This seems to suggest, if nothing else, that it needs settling time: Amanero Long Term Measurements (I) | H i F i D U I N O

 

[TNT]

The unfortunate reality, if you are inclined to compare such things, is that USB interfaces sound dramatically different, even when comparing only Xmos based devices. Once bought a very early Amanero and it really sucked, but perhaps they have been improved since.

Does reclocking eliminate these audible differences? Not in the least ime.

Well, then it's bit errors.

//

 

[analog_sa]

You are joking with those bit errors, right?

 

[TNT]

No why? If it's not timing, then its data. What else is there?

//

 

[TNT]

Or a lot of EMI / garbage on the lines...

//

 

[analog_sa]

No why? If it's not timing, then its data. What else is there?

//

CM noise, radiated noise, who knows what else?

Bit errors are generally a red herring; it is probably the first thing any USB/i2s manufacturer checks. Besides, these errors generally make themselves known as rude pops, rather than diminished soundstage, or weak bass.

 

[rhythmsandy]

Hi Soren can we use rePhase FIR tool from rePhase to generate FIR filters and load them in the Dam 1021 or any other series?

 

[bambadoo]

Yes. Rephase is a great tool. I have used it for the dam1021 many times

 

[TNT]

Use Toslink! Pops and clicks are timing errors. But not "jitter" - as we know it.

//

 

[rhythmsandy]

Yes. Rephase is a great tool. I have used it for the dam1021 many times

hi bambadoo how did you use it any specific settings that you are following for the best performance?

 

[soekris]

Hi Soren can we use rePhase FIR tool from rePhase to generate FIR filters and load them in the Dam 1021 or any other series?

Yes. I did all the stock filters in rePhase.