ESS Sabre Reference DAC (8-channel)

[Dougie085]

How did you test DSD? And also would you say you prefer it to the Opus? I know you guys are really modest and don't like to make claims to you work but would rather other people do it but I feel your very trust worthy

 

[Russ White]

To get the DSD I basically hacked a Denon DVD-2910 taking the DSD at the DAC pins. Its actually not much of a hack. Just solder a couple wires.

Sure Buffalo probably sounds better than Opus can. But its also not as simple, and it is more expensive. It should and does perform very well.

That said I won't be giving away my opus.

So the only way to say if it is better or not is to know your priorities. They are both IMHO excellent DACs.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[Russ White]

DVD-2910 mod

Since I have received a few emails asking how its done here is how you get DSD from any SACD player which uses the PCM1791 like the Denon DVD-2910.

Pin 1 is DATA R

Pin 3 is DATA L

Pin 5 is the bit clock.

Then you just need GND.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[ezkcdude]

Dustin, will the average DIYer be able to purchase this chip in small quantities?

 

[Russ White]

Its not that long a thread

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1438783#post1438783

 

[Dougie085]

Did you already own the Denon or purchase it after Dustin mentioned it I wasn't sure you used his method but glad to hear it works great. I'll have my dual mono Opus and I don't know that I'll get a buffalo. Probably going to depend on how expensive it is.

 

[Russ White]

I have had the 2910 for a long time. Its actually a good SACD player in its own right, if not stellar.

 

[Dougie085]

The Opus supports DSD as well doesn't it? Have you used this method on the Opus?

 

[Russ White]

Yes, it does, but I have not been able to get my hands on a WM8741 to test with it yet. The PCB does support DSD input though, yes.

 

[Dougie085]

Ah so the WM8740 does not support DSD. Bummer

 

[ezkcdude]

Its not that long a thread

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1438783#post1438783

Oh, I remember that now! Did the price ever drop, or is it still $50 a pop and 5 order minimum?

 

[langtuhanoi]

Hi Russ White,
This Buffalo accept I2S directly? How can I put I2S signal of my DVD Pioneer player to Buffalo DAC?
When your Buffalo is available for DIYer?
Thank

 

[Dougie085]

The Buffalo accepts SPDIF in its stock form as well so you can just run coaxil to the DAC from your player.

 

[Ivan Petrov]

I just have to ask the question - in what time frame can we expect to have the kit, I hope I have not gone insane by then? And a three or four figure price? I know, I know, I need to be patient but man, is that one beautiful looking DAC...

 

[langtuhanoi]

Thank Dougie,
But I like I2S with pure signal, I can build the CD transport with I2S ouput with this DAC

The Buffalo accepts SPDIF in its stock form as well so you can just run coaxil to the DAC from your player.

 

[MrMajestic]

This DAC looks very promising. To run both SPDIF and DSD input at the same time Im guessing some kind of switch will be required? Would the OTTO do the job? Now, to only find someone to buy my Opus and get hold of a moddable Denon player

 

[hirez69]

Re: Re: DAC4392 + ESS Sabre: this is incredible.

Hi hires69:

Are you playing the ESS demo board stock, ie with the included clock and analog output stage?

Also thanks to Terry Demol for the in depth answer bout the 'tails. Impressive output stage compliance.

Cheers,

WMS

Hi WMS,

yes i'm player the ESS demo board stock. I'm waiting (do you have any news about Guido Tents?) to receive an XO from Tentlabs to replace the standard 40 Mhz clock.
But the sound, also without any modification, is astounding.
I'm not able to describe in words the beauty of sound of DAC4392 + ESS Sabre bundle.

I would like to understand how I can improve the EVB analog output stage. Do You know a project ready to be implemented?

 

[Russ White]

Thank Dougie,
But I like I2S with pure signal, I can build the CD transport with I2S ouput with this DAC

Yes it does directly take I2S and other PCM formats too.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[Russ White]

This DAC looks very promising. To run both SPDIF and DSD input at the same time Im guessing some kind of switch will be required? Would the OTTO do the job? Now, to only find someone to buy my Opus and get hold of a moddable Denon player

Sure you could use OTTO.

I am working on way to make mine switch back and forth between PCM and DSD depending on the mode the SACD player is in, that is playing a regular CD or a SACD. I still have a lot more playing to do in that regard.

For now I have simply checked that DSD input does indeed work.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[MrMajestic]

Sure you could use OTTO.

I am working on way to make mine switch back and forth between PCM and DSD depending on the mode the SACD player is in, that is playing a regular CD or a SACD. I still have a lot more playing to do in that regard.

For now I have simply checked that DSD input does indeed work.

Cheers!
Russ

I was thinking of switching between some kind of SPDIF input selector (Darwin?) and a DSD input using the OTTO. Would a RJ45 connector work well with DSD?