exaU2I - Multi-Channel Asynchronous USB to I2S Interface

[exa065]

Originally Posted by DUC985

@exa065

i was not aware that there is support existing. I can also try that one.
Which version of OSX and Audirvana are you running whithout issues ?

I have the issues with 10.8.2 driver 1.6.0a4 and all of the latest Audirvana versions.

I'm happy to downgrade to Snow Leopard if this would fix the problems i do not need all this icrap on a music server ...

There is no need to go back to Snow Leopard. We develop the drivers on Lion.

1. Please download the latest OS X drivers and the Uninstall Script for OS X from our support site.
2. Run the Uninstall Script, and reboot.
3. Install the latest drivers and Dashboard
4. Click on the Dashboard icon on the menu and in the context menu select exaSound 2Ch.
5. Download, install and start the latest Audirvana Plus
6. Under Audirvana Preferences, Audio System select Preferred Audio Device - exaSound 2Ch
7. Make sure that Integer Mode and Direct Mode are NOT checked.
8. You can use Exclusive Mode if you like.

Let me know if you experience any issues.

Best,

exa065

[exa065]

Originally Posted by flemming3520

Volumen control : One or two I2C outputs
The driver supports multiple boards : Do you need to synchronize the clock in the boards.

What I am looking for is a system with two 'black box' dacs connected direct to my power amps, where all the control and display are in the pc, and I only have one usb cable to each dac.

Flemming

The driver does not support two boards. Do you need more than 8 channels?

Yes, if multiple DACs are used, for best results the clocks should be synchronized, If the new board is used in Synchronous mode, this is not a problem. The clocks on the exaU2I will be used as master clocks.

I was afraid the volume control request will come up. We won't be able to do it. It is difficult to implement it with FPGA. We use a different implementation for the e18 and e20 DACs. It is one of the features that makes them more complicated and more expensive.

[MoonUnit]

Originally Posted by exa065

We have a long list of requests for features, and they are interconnected. For example the exaU2I hardware was not designed for DSD. DSD was enabled with a software hack, and this puts limits to what can be done with a player or driver update. There is no hardware signal to switch the DAC between DSD and PCM modes.

Linux drivers are important, but if the hardware needs an update, the driver development has to wait.

I've been thinking about updates and new features for the exaU2I that can take the sound quality to the next level. We've been working also on the numerous requests to make the next generation device more open to tweaking and DIY experiments.

• Just about 1ps jitter
• Two sets of clocks for synchronous and asynchronous operation with ES9018
• 8 channel DSD
• 8 channel DXD / 384 kHz PCM
• Individual LEDs for all PCM and DSD sampling rates
• Easy elimination of USB power
• Macro USB connector
• Header for connecting external USB connector
• Connectors for external power sources
• New ground isolation technology
• Micro BNC output connectors
• Elimination of the USB daughter board

Am I missing something on the hardware side?

A while ago there was some discussion about hardware and/or software modifications to support interfacing with the PCM1704 (or similar parallel-input DACs). More specifically, you were proposing:

• Change in the output format
• Elimination of GMR jitter

See here: exaU2I - Custom Build for Use With PCM1704

I've searched, but it doesn't seem like that project went anywhere. If it hasn't, please consider the above enhancements for your new board and/or software.

[Jjazz]

Hi

I present the project AYIA (in tribute to his "perpetrator", Smanz in Diyaudio forum)i. I have not made ​​myself, just so enjoy it.
It is a dual mono dac cv181 tube.

Princiales components are:

- 2 Reference 9018 Sabre DACs (Twisted Pear Audio)
- USB EXAU2I
- Analog output with Psavane cv181 tubes, capacitors Mundorf MCAP gold silver oil, transformer Sowter
- Inputs 1 USB (exau2i), 2 Digital coaxial (75 Ohm WBT), 1 Toslink, 1 BNC.
- Outputs RCA analog outputs (WBT) Balanced (Furutech)

The sound is realistic, three-dimensional (in untreated room) and detailed. I've never heard anything like it, and is still running.

The output selector allows dsd for exadevices dsd player.

People who have heard talk sound much better than more expensive commercial dacs (and is not cheap)

Is everything perfect, I just need to get exadevices Audirvana direct mode :-)

Some pictures:

Imageshack - img2078e.jpg

Imageshack - img2079n.jpg

Imageshack - p1010106il.jpg

Best, Jorge.

[Bunpei]

Dear flemming3520,

It's very nice to have your post on this thread again!
Your post on DSD256 and DSD512, more than 1 year ago, on this thread inspired me to explorer DSD256 and DSD512. Based on your indication, I could create DSD256 and DSD512 source files from PCM 44.1kHz/16bit files. Playing DSD256 files on ES9018 has brought me the best sounds that I ever have. I really owe to you.

By the way, have you establish a noise-free DSD512 play method with ES9018?
I'm now trying that. However, I think it's a very tough challenge.

Best regards,
Bunpei

[analog_sa]

Originally Posted by Bunpei

Playing DSD256 files on ES9018 has brought me the best sounds that I ever have.

Would that mean that even converted PCM sounds better as DSD256?

[exa065]

Originally Posted by Jjazz

Hi

I present the project AYIA (in tribute to his "perpetrator", Smanz in Diyaudio forum)i. I have not made ​​myself, just so enjoy it.
It is a dual mono dac cv181 tube.

Princiales components are:

- 2 Reference 9018 Sabre DACs (Twisted Pear Audio)
- USB EXAU2I
- Analog output with Psavane cv181 tubes, capacitors Mundorf MCAP gold silver oil, transformer Sowter
- Inputs 1 USB (exau2i), 2 Digital coaxial (75 Ohm WBT), 1 Toslink, 1 BNC.
- Outputs RCA analog outputs (WBT) Balanced (Furutech)

The sound is realistic, three-dimensional (in untreated room) and detailed. I've never heard anything like it, and is still running.

The output selector allows dsd for exadevices dsd player.

People who have heard talk sound much better than more expensive commercial dacs (and is not cheap)

Is everything perfect, I just need to get exadevices Audirvana direct mode :-)

Best, Jorge.

Great project, Jorge. Congratulations!
I will email Damien from Audirvana one more time. I need his help for enabling direct mode. Here are the pictures from your post, embedded here for easy viewing.

Cheers!

exa065

[exa065]

Originally Posted by analog_sa

Would that mean that even converted PCM sounds better as DSD256?

I find the claims for benefits from conversion / up sampling of PCM to DSD exaggerated. In my personal experience best results are achieved when every source is played in its native format. Great DSD recordings sound great when played without conversion to PCM. Great PCM sources sound great the way they are - in PCM format. Until there are DSD512 recordings available for download, it is wiser to spend your money on better amplifiers and speakers, or room treatment.

[exa065]

Originally Posted by MoonUnit

....More specifically, you were proposing:

• Change in the output format
• Elimination of GMR jitter

See here: exaU2I - Custom Build for Use With PCM1704

I've searched, but it doesn't seem like that project went anywhere. If it hasn't, please consider the above enhancements for your new board and/or software.

Elimination of GMR jitter is one of the main improvements for the new exaU2I. The output jitter will be pretty much the jitter of the clocks - 1ps.

We can have the same hardware supporting the PCM1704 input format with an alternative firmware. It can be offered as a separate product. There will be no oversampling, you will have to use a third party software or hardware oversampling filter.

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by analog_sa

Would that mean that even converted PCM sounds better as DSD256?

Yes, a DSD256 source converted from PCM sounds definitely better than its original PCM as long as I use Sony "DSD Direct" software for the conversion.
I guess an upsampling FIR filter and a delta-sigma modulator employed in the software might be superior than hardware implemented ones in DAC chips.