Hi Oliver,
With PCM feed to 1541A in simultaneous mode, and with the most recent firmware rev. of WaveIO, whats the highest sampling rate you can playback with tda1541A.
My set up is very similar, using waveIO - FIFO - ISO - Dual XO 45.xx 49.xx - I2S>PCM and get great sound at 192kHz, but above that is distorted - wondering how you're going with forced up sampling with mac based software.
Sincerely,
Shane
With PCM feed to 1541A in simultaneous mode, and with the most recent firmware rev. of WaveIO, whats the highest sampling rate you can playback with tda1541A.
My set up is very similar, using waveIO - FIFO - ISO - Dual XO 45.xx 49.xx - I2S>PCM and get great sound at 192kHz, but above that is distorted - wondering how you're going with forced up sampling with mac based software.
Sincerely,
Shane
....
However, if you use the I2S to PCM module the TDA1541A get´s the data for both channels separate (simultaneous mode), with brings the last step in SQ.
The result is a extreme open, 3D soundstage with tons of microdetails.
I never heard my DAC sounding that good!A big thanks to Ian for his work!
Thanks Oliver. I can't believe I missed Ian's work, a fellow Torontonian. Sounds like a great complement to the Red Baron!. I'll hope there is enough interest for another GB.
Merry Christmas to you. Have a happy holiday season. I know I am having great fun listening and building.
Walter
Hi Shane,
i am using the Dual XO with 22.5xx & 24.5xx MHz Crystek CCHD-957 and have the same phenomenon.
I am powering the WaveIO over the USB-Port from my iMac. Perhaps that´s the problem at higher sampling freq.
Best,
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
With the Dual XO and 22.xx + 24.xx you are limited to 192kHz as a maximum, so it seems your situation is quite normal.
If you were to use the 45.xx + 49.xx and configure the Dual XO board for 'double speed' then the higher rates should be open as an option to you.
Wasn't aware that you were using the lower speed clocks, in the event that you have the chance to try 45.xx or 49.xx I'd be interested to learn of your experience with 384 capable WaveIO and PCM fed 1541A.
Best regards,
Shane
With the Dual XO and 22.xx + 24.xx you are limited to 192kHz as a maximum, so it seems your situation is quite normal.
If you were to use the 45.xx + 49.xx and configure the Dual XO board for 'double speed' then the higher rates should be open as an option to you.
Wasn't aware that you were using the lower speed clocks, in the event that you have the chance to try 45.xx or 49.xx I'd be interested to learn of your experience with 384 capable WaveIO and PCM fed 1541A.
Best regards,
Shane
Hi Shane,
i missed that totally...
Did you power the WaveIO externally or over the USB-Cable?
Best regards,
Oliver
hi Suresh,
do you use TPA's spdif transceiver board? If yes, what are the settings of dip switch?
I have the same spdif board and since last summer I've been desperately trying to get the damn dac working with it. I have 4.0 version with Dem reclock and i2s attenuator mods, so basically same 5.0 version as you have. I think I already hate that project, though don't want to step aside, will finish it sooner or later
at least I hope so...hi Suresh,
do you use TPA's spdif transceiver board? If yes, what are the settings of dip switch?
I have the same spdif board and since last summer I've been desperately trying to get the damn dac working with it. I have 4.0 version with Dem reclock and i2s attenuator mods, so basically same 5.0 version as you have. I think I already hate that project, though don't want to step aside, will finish it sooner or later
Used the standard setting that Oliver posted on the TPA board. I have an ebay wolfson board too that has the same problem. I can get TPA board to work by connecting Bck and data R as they show in Tda 1541 circuits of old players like rotel 955 and arcam alpha 5 plus.
I just could not get the waveio board in i2s mode to work but it worked fine when I used the spdif of the same into tpa boad. My original plan was to use a switch like otto mux from tpa to swicth between usb and spdif inputs.
I am suspecting it is tda1541 vs tda1541a that I am using might be i causing the problem.
When I get sometime time off work again I will get back to the project. The sound that this rig produces ( whether it is spdif or usb) is as close I have come to reproducing the sound of my vinyl setup despite my problems.
dtses,
Take a small metal uninsulated object such as a screw driver, or scribe in your hand.
While the unit is running, touch the metal object first to BCK then to FS, and Data conections on the TP board, and tell me if the distortion goes away. If so, which one.
TOUCH ONLY THESE POINTS WHILE POWERED ON!
Ned
Take a small metal uninsulated object such as a screw driver, or scribe in your hand.
While the unit is running, touch the metal object first to BCK then to FS, and Data conections on the TP board, and tell me if the distortion goes away. If so, which one.
TOUCH ONLY THESE POINTS WHILE POWERED ON!
Ned
Hi Shane,
i missed that totally...
Did you power the WaveIO externally or over the USB-Cable?
Best regards,
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
Sorry I missed your post somehow.
WaveIO is powered externally with a Salas regulator built on one of your PCB's.
Regards,
Shane
that is actually how it's implemented in version 4.0.
In v5 Oliver added a jumper and in i2s mode DATA/R is connected to ground instead of BCK. I have no idea why, though both configurations produce same hissing and distortions for me
unfortunately I got no changes at all. Tried with bck connected to ground as in v5.0
Last edited:
Small update. It took about a year but now it's f*&% working!!!
The hissing I got with PCM board has been removed! Ian was so kind that even sent 2nd board to check if the problem is there. Eventually it laid in 4 missing 1N4148 diodes that v5.0 has. However I still couldn't remove the hissing if TPAs board is connected directly.
Regarding the sound.
Frankly speaking I expected a bit more! So the main points are: trebles are slightly cut, soundstage is narrowed, lack of air. Good side: bass, details, punch, it's all there. I would rate it as a step over Subbu DAC, but it's all subjective and not actually comparable due to 5-6 time higher price of RB project, not including the case.
Perhaps it's my implementation: Torx converter -> TPA -> PCM -> RB 4.0 -> DDNF. Maybe due to the parts I used - no Mundorf Supreme caps or Vishay foil resistors or 50-100VA toroids.
But still - 5 Salas regs + 3 other shunts have been implemented. Three dedicated trafos (TDA chip, DDNF board, TPA+PCM+Torx). Huge amount of caps in PS. Mundorf Evo caps in the output section.
Will compare to Benchmark on the weekend, lets see the results. The initial testing with T+A player has failed.
but now it's f*&% working!!!The hissing I got with PCM board has been removed! Ian was so kind that even sent 2nd board to check if the problem is there. Eventually it laid in 4 missing 1N4148 diodes that v5.0 has. However I still couldn't remove the hissing if TPAs board is connected directly.
Regarding the sound.
Frankly speaking I expected a bit more! So the main points are: trebles are slightly cut, soundstage is narrowed, lack of air. Good side: bass, details, punch, it's all there. I would rate it as a step over Subbu DAC, but it's all subjective and not actually comparable due to 5-6 time higher price of RB project, not including the case.
Perhaps it's my implementation: Torx converter -> TPA -> PCM -> RB 4.0 -> DDNF. Maybe due to the parts I used - no Mundorf Supreme caps or Vishay foil resistors or 50-100VA toroids.
But still - 5 Salas regs + 3 other shunts have been implemented. Three dedicated trafos (TDA chip, DDNF board, TPA+PCM+Torx). Huge amount of caps in PS. Mundorf Evo caps in the output section.
Will compare to Benchmark on the weekend, lets see the results. The initial testing with T+A player has failed.
Small update. It took about a year
The hissing I got with PCM board has been removed! Ian was so kind that even sent 2nd board to check if the problem is there. Eventually it laid in 4 missing 1N4148 diodes that v5.0 has. However I still couldn't remove the hissing if TPAs board is connected directly.
Regarding the sound.
Frankly speaking I expected a bit more! So the main points are: trebles are slightly cut, soundstage is narrowed, lack of air. Good side: bass, details, punch, it's all there. I would rate it as a step over Subbu DAC, but it's all subjective and not actually comparable due to 5-6 time higher price of RB project, not including the case.
Perhaps it's my implementation: Torx converter -> TPA -> PCM -> RB 4.0 -> DDNF. Maybe due to the parts I used - no Mundorf Supreme caps or Vishay foil resistors or 50-100VA toroids.
But still - 5 Salas regs + 3 other shunts have been implemented. Three dedicated trafos (TDA chip, DDNF board, TPA+PCM+Torx). Huge amount of caps in PS. Mundorf Evo caps in the output section.
Will compare to Benchmark on the weekend, lets see the results. The initial testing with T+A player has failed.
Can you post a picture of your implementation?
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