Buffalo DAC (ESS Sabre 9008)

[BrianDonegan]

Amazing what you find when you pack up your house...

So, I am packing up my house for a move, and of course, saved TPA headquarters (basement) for last. Digging through some stuff I had stashed under the desk, I come across a box, look inside, and what do I find?

wait for it...

35 Buffalo DACs, version 1.2. All ready to be boxed up.

...I should be waking up at any moment...

...nope, they are still there in front of me.

Weird... I have no idea how I could have overlooked them.

Okay, so I guess I have some Buffalo 24's to sell.

I'll throw them up in the Parts Bin of the site sometime in the next day or so. Since they are so "old tech," they will be $159 each.

Wait, one sec... nope, still there in the box... not dreaming.

 

[Javin5]

Hello Brian

I sent you a mail.

Kurt

 

[digger945]

I'de like to get one also Brian. I can't send emails on Diyaudio yet as I'm still under "moderation". If you wanna send me you ppal I'll pay right away.

 

[BrianDonegan]

I really can't do anything until I finish moving. In fact, I will be completely offline for the next few days, which feels kind of like cutting off my hands.

 

[FallenAngel]

I want to have a Buffalo32 with both I2S input and S/PDIF.

Is it possible to wire a simple switch from the S/PDIF on/off switch position for this or should I use an S/PDIF to I2S converter and OTTO?

The concern I have is that both will be plugged into my computer (ESI Juli@ I2S mod and soundcard with S/PDIF output), both active at same time, but I want to have this switched and don't want to run into problems.

 

[BrianDonegan]

Why do you want to run I2S and S/PDIF from the same device?

 

[coloradosound]

Hey Brian,
Just got to checking today. Did you already sell out
of the Buffalo 24's or not put em up on parts bin yet?
I want to try to get 3 boards.

 

[BrianDonegan]

I have not put them up yet. It's been a very busy week. Perhaps tonight.

 

[coloradosound]

Take your time Brian!
Just checked my deposit and this is the week that all
my bills come out! I know first come first served, so maybe
I'll only be able to grab one or two this week anyway.
I'll check tomorrow. I know everybody else is probably
watching like hawks, too!

 

[FallenAngel]

I want to run I2S and S/PDIF because I believe my ESI Juli@ with I2S output should sound better than my Creative XtremeMusic which I use for gaming only.

 

[BrianDonegan]

The leftover Buffalo24's are now available:

http://twistedpearaudio.com/outlet/parts.aspx

 

[alphalove]

Hello Brian,
I am 30min late, so they might have already sold out, but the 'Add to Cart' button for the 24s doesn't seem to be working?

Kind regards,

alex

 

[Russ White]

I think we must have had a slight glitch with the cart. It seems to be fixed now.

Sorry for the delay.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[FallenAngel]

Fact that it's the same computer with 2 different souncards, is there an easy way to feed the Buffalo32 both I2S and S/PDIF with a simple switch (S/PDIF ON/OFF switch on the board) or should there be some other switching going on if there will be signals present on both the I2S and S/PDIF data/clock wires?

Hmm.. does bring me to the concern of having those wires connected (S/PDIF data and I2S data) on the digital source end, not sure how happy the S/PDIF of a sound card will be when it's seeing I2S data.

Guess the safest bet would be to use the S/PDIF receiver.

 

[FallenAngel]

One more thing, I'm considering having an ES9008 "minimalist" DAC - just a dual PSU and Buffalo running in Voltage-out mode, but I haven't seen how to actually set the DAC into V-out mode. Do I just wire the +/G/- outputs to the XLRs and that's it?

Thanks

 

[digger945]

I've added it to my cart, but can't seem to figure out how to view my cart and pay.

 

[FallenAngel]

Top right corner, click on the cart, enter your zip code, select shipping method and click "checkout with paypal"

 

[BrianDonegan]

Fact that it's the same computer with 2 different souncards, is there an easy way to feed the Buffalo32 both I2S and S/PDIF with a simple switch (S/PDIF ON/OFF switch on the board) or should there be some other switching going on if there will be signals present on both the I2S and S/PDIF data/clock wires?

Hmm.. does bring me to the concern of having those wires connected (S/PDIF data and I2S data) on the digital source end, not sure how happy the S/PDIF of a sound card will be when it's seeing I2S data.

Guess the safest bet would be to use the S/PDIF receiver.

The S/PDIF switch on the board handles the actual S/PDIF data stream, and channels it either to the comparator for level shifting, or directly to the DAC. You will want to do any switching before that point, using something like the OTTO that can switch the I2S completely off when S/PDIF is in use.

 

[BrianDonegan]

One more thing, I'm considering having an ES9008 "minimalist" DAC - just a dual PSU and Buffalo running in Voltage-out mode, but I haven't seen how to actually set the DAC into V-out mode. Do I just wire the +/G/- outputs to the XLRs and that's it?

Thanks

If you present a Near 0-ohm impedance load, the Buffalo will operate in Current-out mode. Present a higher impedance load, it will be operating in Voltage-out mode. That's all there is to it.

 

[Valery]

Buffalo 24 DAC support

Hi, Brian
I cannot find any information about 24's DAC on your site. Maybe, as you do find some, there will be a good idea to put schematics, manual & etc. for all of them 35 happy owners? Me too. Also. I've sent you e-mail about combined shipping of my orders, but my mail cannot knocked up to your box. I will try again. Regards, Valery.