MicroSD Memory Card Transport Project - Page 4

Bunpei · 21st July 2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by prinzinio
have You tried to play wolfson board through USB?
Ive finally made my DAC, but Windows doesn't recognize any new hardware (tas1020b). When i plug in the usb cable i hear the specific sound in windows, but nothing apears, theres no new usb controler installed.
Does it need any drivers? Could You help me Bunpei?

Dear prinzinio,

I'm afraid that you have misunderstood functionality of the USB interface provided on WM8741 Evaluation Board. It can be used only for setting registers in WM8741 chip via I2C interface. It's not designed for audio interface for PC. The USB communication is established when we run proprietary utility software downloaded from Wolfson's web site. No standard USB audio drivers support the hardware.

If you want to output audio signals from your PC to the evaluation board, you need to employ one of S/PDIF (RCA) interfaces; USB-based, Firewire-based, or PCI-based.

Bunpei

prinzinio · 21st July 2009, 01:57 PM

thank You for the answer.
I've called the Wolfson technical support today and they've told me exactly same thing as You said.
Yes, i've missunderstood the USB funcionality of WM8741 EVB.
But i have to admit that its quite sad...
tas1020b is one of the best usb controller ever, used mainly in the most expensive audio equipment.
Wolfson had opportunity to use it as a audio stream controller, but they didnt ;(.

Maudio Transit is made on Tas1020b chip, but their drivers does not recognize the wolfson tas1020b..

Bunpei · 21st July 2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by prinzinio
Maudio Transit is made on Tas1020b chip, but their drivers does not recognize the wolfson tas1020b..

If you stick to using USB, a Chinese less expensive USB Interface unit is available via eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-MUSILAND-Mo...mZ110390560547
It supports 192kHz 24bit by way of dedicated ASIO driver. However, I will hesitate to recommend this if you expect high quality that matches the WM8741 evaluation board.

Bunpei

jkeny · 7th August 2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by prinzinio
thank You for the answer.
I've called the Wolfson technical support today and they've told me exactly same thing as You said.
Yes, i've missunderstood the USB funcionality of WM8741 EVB.
But i have to admit that its quite sad...
tas1020b is one of the best usb controller ever, used mainly in the most expensive audio equipment.
Wolfson had opportunity to use it as a audio stream controller, but they didnt ;(.

Maudio Transit is made on Tas1020b chip, but their drivers does not recognize the wolfson tas1020b..

Quote:

Originally posted by Bunpei
The USB communication is established when we run proprietary utility software downloaded from Wolfson's web site. [/B]

prinzinio,
I think you need to download the software for the WM8741 eval board from here: http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/driversL...valBoardId=148
To extract this software requires something call WISCESetup.exe from Wolfson Applications support. I presume this then gives you the firmware which you need to write to the eeprom chip on the board. I also presume that this is the Wolfson utility that Bunpei is talking about but he's not very clear about this? Let me know how you get on!

This is also why the M-Audio drivers do not work with the Wolfson board - ithe drivers need the firmware to be on the eeprom chip (as it also does on the M-Audio Transit)

prinzinio · 7th August 2009, 09:28 PM

jkeny,

i've downloaded WISCE about two weeks ago, the main feature of this utlillity is providing software control of the DAC Board.
I've talked to wolfson technical support, they have told me that USB in this evaluation board does not offer audio streaming.

I dont have idea how to programm the eeprom chip, WISCE is useless about it. I've bought audiotrack optoplay with TAS1020a chip and i'm using it as a transport from PC to DAC.

AT the moment i can say that Wm8741 board plays really nice, but the analog stage with opa2227 is awfull. I'm sending my board to guy who makes analog Tube stage. I've heard that it sounds phenomenall

.

will see

jkeny · 7th August 2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by prinzinio
jkeny,

i've downloaded WISCE about two weeks ago, the main feature of this utlillity is providing software control of the DAC Board.
I've talked to wolfson technical support, they have told me that USB in this evaluation board does not offer audio streaming.

I dont have idea how to programm the eeprom chip, WISCE is useless about it. I've bought audiotrack optoplay with TAS1020a chip and i'm using it as a transport from PC to DAC.

AT the moment i can say that Wm8741 board plays really nice, but the analog stage with opa2227 is awfull. I'm sending my board to guy who makes analog Tube stage. I've heard that it sounds phenomenall .

will see

Ok, the board does have a TAS1020B chip on it (U2) & a eeprom 24lc64 chip on it (U3) - I've just looked at the schematic & it's wired up as the TAS1020B datasheet suggests - it even says that the eeprom has "Wolfson" standard code. So the firmware is already on the eeprom.

It probably should work with the standard windows USB drivers - did you try it this way before installing the M-Audio drivers? The M-Audio Transit drivers won't work as these expect a particular firmware.

Other than that Wolfson should be providing you with a USB driver. I don't get why they say it will not do USB streaming - I would challenge them on that!

prinzinio · 8th August 2009, 09:37 AM

I've tried run the USB on the Windows XP and the Windows 7 OS.
XP sys doesnt see any new device and the WIN 7 founds the "USB INPUT DEVICE".. nothing else.

If You have any idea how could I run the DAC through the USB I'm waiting for good ideas

Bunpei · 8th August 2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by prinzinio
If You have any idea how could I run the DAC through the USB I'm waiting for good ideas

I read the schematic diagram carefully again. My conclusion is that the TAS1020B can not output any audio data to WM8721 DAC unless you set your own firmware on the EEPROM U3 so that TAS1020B may output S/PDIF digital signal through one of P1.2 (USB_CSB), P1.3(USB_SCLK), P1.4(USB_SDIN) pins. Even in this case, you should add exceptional jumpering cable from one of the pins above to J15 S/PDIF_IN_SEL. In terms of I2S, situation is more desperate. You need both an additional soldering & cabling on TAS1020B and very difficult firmware programming. I'm not sure those kind of firmware programing is possible or not.
I believe your decision of buying audiotrack optoplay was correct.

Quote:

Originally posted by prinzinio
but the analog stage with opa2227 is awfull

I'm interested in the reason why you think it is awfull. Did you compare it with other analog stage?
I do not think the stage is the best, but do not think awfull neither.
In my case, I just use Etymotic Research ER-4S earphone for moinitoring without any HPA. I replaced the feedback registers, R31 & R61, 1k for opa2227 U8-A & U16-A with 1k potentmeters in order to adjust the gain of opa2227.

Bunpei

jkeny · 8th August 2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bunpei

I read the schematic diagram carefully again. My conclusion is that the TAS1020B can not output any audio data to WM8721 DAC unless you set your own firmware on the EEPROM U3 so that TAS1020B may output S/PDIF digital signal through one of P1.2 (USB_CSB), P1.3(USB_SCLK), P1.4(USB_SDIN) pins. Even in this case, you should add exceptional jumpering cable from one of the pins above to J15 S/PDIF_IN_SEL. In terms of I2S, situation is more desperate. You need both an additional soldering & cabling on TAS1020B and very difficult firmware programming. I'm not sure those kind of firmware programing is possible or not.

Bunpei, do you not see on page 15 of the Eval board schematic & layout, item 61, U3, under description it says <EEPROM 8X8 I2C interface with Wolfson "Standard" code>. Does this not mean that the firmware is already on the chip?

Wolfson should be kicked hard for this - putting the chips on the board & charging you for them & then not allowing you to use them - crazy!! It devotes 2 pages to the USB interface sheets 5 & 6 - so what gives?

prinzinio · 8th August 2009, 12:55 PM

I just dont like the opa2227. Maybe there are some aplications where it sounds properly, but Wolfson Board for sure is not that place.
I've listened on Sennheiser Hd545 Reference and DIY headphone amplifier as long as on my speaker system: Triangle Comete XS + DIY Tripath.
Ofcourse it plays nice in overall meaning, but HIGH frequency is extremelly harsh for me, I cant listen to it for a long period of time.

There are many other double opamps which are whole world better than 2227:
-AD8397
-LT1028 CN8
-OPA627 BP
I Never tried tubes, so next step is adding tube stage.

Guys, do i have to change all four opamps on the pcb if I want to have only unbalanced (RCA) stereo playback?

@jkeny
primary reason why I bought this board was that i thought i will be able to send audio from my pc via USB. I was sooooo disapointed afterwords..

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21st July 2009, 01:57 PM	#32
prinzinio diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009	thank You for the answer. I've called the Wolfson technical support today and they've told me exactly same thing as You said. Yes, i've missunderstood the USB funcionality of WM8741 EVB. But i have to admit that its quite sad... tas1020b is one of the best usb controller ever, used mainly in the most expensive audio equipment. Wolfson had opportunity to use it as a audio stream controller, but they didnt ;(. Maudio Transit is made on Tas1020b chip, but their drivers does not recognize the wolfson tas1020b..

7th August 2009, 09:28 PM	#35
prinzinio diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009	jkeny, i've downloaded WISCE about two weeks ago, the main feature of this utlillity is providing software control of the DAC Board. I've talked to wolfson technical support, they have told me that USB in this evaluation board does not offer audio streaming. I dont have idea how to programm the eeprom chip, WISCE is useless about it. I've bought audiotrack optoplay with TAS1020a chip and i'm using it as a transport from PC to DAC. AT the moment i can say that Wm8741 board plays really nice, but the analog stage with opa2227 is awfull. I'm sending my board to guy who makes analog Tube stage. I've heard that it sounds phenomenall . will see

8th August 2009, 09:37 AM	#37
prinzinio diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009	I've tried run the USB on the Windows XP and the Windows 7 OS. XP sys doesnt see any new device and the WIN 7 founds the "USB INPUT DEVICE".. nothing else. If You have any idea how could I run the DAC through the USB I'm waiting for good ideas

8th August 2009, 12:55 PM	#40
prinzinio diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009	I just dont like the opa2227. Maybe there are some aplications where it sounds properly, but Wolfson Board for sure is not that place. I've listened on Sennheiser Hd545 Reference and DIY headphone amplifier as long as on my speaker system: Triangle Comete XS + DIY Tripath. Ofcourse it plays nice in overall meaning, but HIGH frequency is extremelly harsh for me, I cant listen to it for a long period of time. There are many other double opamps which are whole world better than 2227: -AD8397 -LT1028 CN8 -OPA627 BP I Never tried tubes, so next step is adding tube stage. Guys, do i have to change all four opamps on the pcb if I want to have only unbalanced (RCA) stereo playback? @jkeny primary reason why I bought this board was that i thought i will be able to send audio from my pc via USB. I was sooooo disapointed afterwords..