DAC differences

[mjz3348]

What is the key difference between the NPC SM5866AS DAC that a Marantz SA-11s1 SACD player uses versus the new OPPO BDP-95 DAC: SABRE32 Reference ES9018 from ESS Technology.

Which is the better DAC? (on paper anyway)

[fzaad]

Npc Gives you full datasheet before buying and ess gives just marketing ******** (Buy first get details later) according to marketing ess is better. Personally i prefer wolfson's audio codecs, because i know what i am buying, i know they are good and easy to implement.

[qusp]

Originally Posted by fzaad

Npc Gives you full datasheet before buying and ess gives just marketing ******** (Buy first get details later) according to marketing ess is better. Personally i prefer wolfson's audio codecs, because i know what i am buying, i know they are good and easy to implement.

bull, ESS has stated that there is no NDA required, you do not have to buy first; its more than superior on paper, the internal opamps to produce the voltage output from the wolfston is a deal breaker for me.

i'm not alone here and there is a reason why slowly one by one manufacturers are being forced to produce sabre based dacs and change from what they were using. people demand highest performance and at the moment, and IMO, ESS do not have any competitors in this area. the sound matches the superb numbers, put it that way. I have a wolfston 8741 dac, but I have 3 ESS dacs, 1 transportable ES9018 buff II headphone dac/amp, 1 buffalo32 for the workshop, 1 9012 ackodac for the main rig

its fairly obvious from your post that you have not owned an ESS dac and made a stand on principle, I think the OP wants more than kneejerk reactions and would prefer to hear from someone who has actual experience.

matter of personal prefderence, nothing against wolfstons, they just arent for me, but I do take issue with you posting an 'opinion' without having any experience, that is not an opinion

[SoNic_real_one]

So... where are the numbers for ESS?

[qusp]

what do you mean? there is an extra available at their site which doesnt say much, but of you want the datasheet, just ask shaw electronics and they will give it to you. no NDA required, but you have to ask for the file.

rthe numbers are all over this site though, in fact its pretty much only the register info that isnt very much already in the public domain

[reo]

Any reason we could not add for comparisson a analog sounding DAC, with an open midrange signature , namely the USB Monica with Mojo .

[00940]

Originally Posted by reo

Any reason we could not add for comparisson a analog sounding DAC, with an open midrange signature , namely the USB Monica with Mojo .

The TDA1545 used in the Monica is completly outclassed, compared to the discussed chips. THD+N can be as bad as 0.01% and SNR as bad as 86dB. Modern DAC IC hit figures of THD+N of 0.0008% and 123dB of SNR (PCM1794 taken as example).

In a discussion about the performance of DAC chips, the tda1545 is best left aside.

[Extreme_Boky]

ESS implementation that sounds nice, and will accept many digital input formats:
The Buffalo II Digital-to-Analog Converter

The one that I really like - for standard CD audio reproduction only, it has 2 of my favourite 1704 DAC's properly implemented:
Hagerman Technology LLC: HagDac PCM1704K Audio Digital-to-Analog Converter with Low Jitter Reclocking

The rest of DIY stuff on web is pure waste of time... and money, if the audio quality is your final and only aim.

Boky