Buffalo III - flexibility without compromise.

[beau2317]

It will work but you may as well not have a BIII if you do that.

 

[beau2317]

Because by taking one output and earth you are throwing away a lot of the performance and sound quality

 

[beau2317]

Yeah I guess it was probably pointless to put all that balanced stuff in the chip. Much simpler to just use + and earth.

 

[Russ White]

Yes is you use only a single end of the DAC output you will be throwing away quite a lot of what gives it incredible dynamic range. But you can do it if you like, just remember the DC offset so you will need an AC coupling cap.

 

[needsp]

Hi Angcl

I tried taking a single ended output in this way, but got a distorted and noisy signal. This was using both Legato and another low impedance I/V stage- i.e. using the DAC in current mode.

No idea why this should be, so it might not persist if you use the DAC in voltage mode. But I certainly understand your reasons for trying it, if you have an SE amp- it avoids the subsequent need for a extra balanced to SE converter stage, keeping the signal path shorter

Paul N

 

[merlin el mago]

Wich ribbon cable have I to use for Sidecar?

 

[Russ White]

The same 20 conductor ribbon you would use for the SPDIF module.

 

[merlin el mago]

Do you have any Mouser or DigiKey reference?

 

[barrows]

Merlin...

3M makes a teflon (FEP) insulated, silver plated copper ribbon cable. This is the best quality I was able to find. Digikey sells it in less than full reel qualtities (I think 10 or 15 foot sections).

 

[merlin el mago]

It's necessary some tool to connect the cable?

 

[BrianDonegan]

The ribbon cable ships with the B-III. It is a standard 20-position 0.05" (1.27mm) ribbon cable.

If you don't have the ribbon because you don't have a B-III (because, say, you have a B-II), then you can't use it with the ribbon cable anyway.

 

[tyk]

It's necessary some tool to connect the cable?

"Flat cable crimping tool" would be the tool you search.
ttp://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1435&sku=04597

Some says two wood block and hammer is enough,,,,

 

[glt]

...
Some says two wood block and hammer is enough,,,,

That is what I use. Cables can be recycled from old IDE cables...

 

[FallenAngel]

This has likely been covered but I didn't find the answer yet - what's the absolutely easiest way to connect a single Consumer-level S/PDIF source to a Buffalo 3?

Thanks

 

[Erlend Sæterdal]

Yes is you use only a single end of the DAC output you will be throwing away quite a lot of what gives it incredible dynamic range. But you can do it if you like, just remember the DC offset so you will need an AC coupling cap.

Sorry what I meant was that I have never heard balanced Hifi as better than single ended.

 

[Russ White]

Hey guys, just because I know many of you will need it soon here is the sidecar schematic.

Not much to it.

 

[merlin el mago]

Hey guys, just because I know many of you will need it soon here is the sidecar schematic.

Not much to it.

Thank you Russ.

 

[albertob]

Hi,
If I have the need to cable between the output stage and DAC module, what is the longest cable I can put without compromising the sound?

Regards!

 

[Russ White]

Hi,
If I have the need to cable between the output stage and DAC module, what is the longest cable I can put without compromising the sound?

Regards!

3.782 inches.

Just kidding. There is no way to know with the information you shared.

It will also depend on many factors - like how well you dress your wires etc. The type of output stage will make a difference here too. So the only honest answer is you will just have to try it out and see if it works well. If you find your picking up noise or something you will have to try again.

 

[albertob]

Experience is the mother of all sciences!!