ESS9018 - try new, try more...

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by barrows

The NDK which TAD is using-do you know if that is a custom part, or is there a series available from them with that level of performance, and if so, can they be purchased in single unit quantities somewhere?

I heard that the device was a custom part co-developed by TAD and NDK. I have never found it on NDK's product listing published on their web site.

Moreover, the low phase noise profile must be achieved by its associated power supply module. The black box left to the main player box is a dedicated power supply unit.

[Coris]

Originally Posted by Bunpei

I heard that the device was a custom part co-developed by TAD and NDK. I have never found it on NDK's product listing published on their web site.

Moreover, the low phase noise profile must be achieved by its associated power supply module. The black box left to the main player box is a dedicated power supply unit.

By the way Bunpei, what is your power supply solution in your DAC system at this moment? I mean the main power supply.
Thanks.

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by Coris

... what is your power supply solution in your DAC system at this moment? I mean the main power supply. ...

My power supplies are very humble and simple as shown on this photo,

but suitable for various experiments including Class-D amplifiers.

1. +-18V, +8V, -6V Kenwood regulated DC Power Supply with
CDE(Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc.) 100uF 600V Film capacitor
(The power supply itself is not for audio grade. However, the CDE Film capacitor makes it of audio grade.)
2. Panasonic "Evolta" Alkaline Batteries
(This is not rechargeable.)

The best power supply unit that I assembled for my friend recently was;
- Transformer: Feastrex "Finemet" core type, order made
- Rectifier: Cree Inc., Zero Recovery type
- Linear regulator: Fairchild microA723 compatible chip with Toshiba Power FET
- Choke coil: Feastrex "Finemet" core type, order made
- Capacitor: CDE 100uF 600V film capacitor

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by Coris

But anyway... I look forward to "hear" about your new experiments with different decoupling ways, caps types, and so on...

I tried collective tantalum chip capacitors at the output side and my friend did Panasonic FC electrolytic capacitor. We think each capacitor showed its own characteristic on their sonic impression and the both results are not negative at all. One collective tantalum capacitor consists ten 100 microF chips, totally 1,000 microF / side.

In the next step, we will try CDE film capacitors and collective ceramic chip capacitors.

[Coris]

Originally Posted by Bunpei

I tried collective tantalum chip capacitors at the output side and my friend did Panasonic FC electrolytic capacitor. We think each capacitor showed its own characteristic on their sonic impression and the both results are not negative at all. One collective tantalum capacitor consists ten 100 microF chips, totally 1,000 microF / side.

In the next step, we will try CDE film capacitors and collective ceramic chip capacitors.

Nice to have your confirmation about this.
Yes, is right that is a different result (sound) using different types decoupling caps. Is also difference when using the same type caps in different stages. I prefer the tantalum decoupling in final and ceramics in the I/V stage for example... One have to try different configuration to find the best results... I did not noticed a special result with film caps as decoupling. They can be quite big for large capacities I suppose... But good to hear from you about your results.

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by Bunpei

In the next step, we will try CDE film capacitors and collective ceramic chip capacitors.

First, I really want to express my true gratitude to Coris.

For bypass capacitors on AVCC power line of ES9018 (Buffalo II), I tried 100 microF 800V film capacitor (944U101K801) manufactured by Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) at the output side of my DIY linear regulator sub board.
(The big "oil tanks" in the attached pictures are CDE film capacitors. Only two of four in the picture are actually connected.)

The result of sonic improvements are astonishing.
I felt better in all aspects of its sonic characteristics.
At the same time, I realized a great potentiality of this DAC chip as well as that of TPA Buffalo II board.

I do not believe ordinary audiophiles will not try the same use of the capacitor. However, I am simply satisfied with this personal experience in my experimental environment. "Music is wonderful!"
Thank you, Coris, Russ & Brian and Dustin! Thank you, Chiaki!

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by Bunpei

I do not believe ordinary audiophiles will not try the same use of the capacitor.

I'm sorry. I made a grammatical error in the previous post. The correct statement is;
"I do not believe ordinary audiophiles will try the ..."

[Coris]

Originally Posted by Bunpei

First, I really want to express my true gratitude to Coris.

For bypass capacitors on AVCC power line of ES9018 (Buffalo II), I tried 100 microF 800V film capacitor (944U101K801) manufactured by Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) at the output side of my DIY linear regulator sub board.
(The big "oil tanks" in the attached pictures are CDE film capacitors. Only two of four in the picture are actually connected.)

The result of sonic improvements are astonishing.
I felt better in all aspects of its sonic characteristics.
At the same time, I realized a great potentiality of this DAC chip as well as that of TPA Buffalo II board.

I do not believe ordinary audiophiles will not try the same use of the capacitor. However, I am simply satisfied with this personal experience in my experimental environment. "Music is wonderful!"
Thank you, Coris, Russ & Brian and Dustin! Thank you, Chiaki!

Thank you too Bunpei, for your nice words. I`m very glad that your results after using large bypassing caps, are the same as mine... I`m only a little bit perplexed about why the most of the interested members who have been in to this thread/forum are so sceptic to try a new or another "perspective" in this field... But anyway...

As I can see in your pictures, you use your own regulators for AVCC of ESS9018 (as I do too...). It is there two 1500µ/6v OSCON (if can I see right...). So, you paralled those OSCON with two huge 100µF film caps? It is right?
I just wonder why you used a so big tension caps. It is that because they are so big... It was a special reason to use so high tension caps, or it was just by chance you had those nearby?
I think I will get it a try to your configuration, but with some much smaller film caps...

[NicMac]

@ Bunpei
Good work! What are the diy linear AVCC regs you are using? Schematics?

@Coris
Most/all high capacitance film caps come with a high voltage rating. I think that this is intrinsic to the way these caps are made, i.e. the size of these caps does not get smaller/cheaper with lower voltage rating.

[BrianDonegan]

I`m only a little bit perplexed about why the most of the interested members who have been in to this thread/forum are so sceptic to try a new or another "perspective" in this field... But anyway...

I think I can relieve you of your perplexed-ness...

No one has been skeptical of trying new things. Indeed, this is exactly why the Buffalo was designed with pads for other regulators. If we didn't want people to experiment, we would have put the regs right on the board and not added extra pads.

The only comments Russ and I have made were relative to modifications to the Trident/AVCC regs that we though would result in damage. This you have interpreted as some sort of attack, which is in itself, perplexing. But anyway...

I am glad to see happy results all around.