Buffalo DAC (ESS Sabre 9008)

[Russ White]

Thx Russ. Any noise vs bandwidth specs?

regards
Raja

Not yet. I am not sure I will ever have the appropriate gear to test it thoroughly. Maybe I can borrow some. Or someone else will test it for me.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[npapp]

SPDIF isolation

Hello, has anyone used this transformer from Central Technologies http://ctparts.com/specs/DigiAudDtaXfmr.asp to isolate spdif signals? The specs look appropriate to my novice eye and I may have few samples coming my way.

Nick

 

[mikelm]

Re: SPDIF isolation

Hello, has anyone used this transformer from Central Technologies http://ctparts.com/specs/DigiAudDtaXfmr.asp to isolate spdif signals? The specs look appropriate to my novice eye and I may have few samples coming my way.

Nick

I think Jocko recommends that one important factor is that leakage inductance should be as low as possible

 

[npapp]

so the CT transformer leakage inductance is 0.5uH...is this a usable range?

The Newava transformer that Russ and Brian use has a leakage inductance of 0.3uH.

 

[mikelm]

so the CT transformer leakage inductance is 0.5uH...is this a usable range?

The Newava transformer that Russ and Brian use has a leakage inductance of 0.3uH.

Then as far as I know - which is not much - best to go for 0.3uH

I managed to buy nuwava transformers in USA in small quantity no problem - sorry cannot recall where just now.

 

[mikelm]

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=117091

follow this link and links therein - I think it gives you all you need to know

mike

 

[BrianDonegan]

I managed to buy nuwava transformers in USA in small quantity no problem - sorry cannot recall where just now.

Digikey. The ones we used were designed for use with the Cirrus Logic S/PDIF chip.

 

[matejS]

Hi!

I've measured current from audio outputs of Buffalo and it is "only" 6mA (it should be 8mA). Is there something wrong - configuration, how pins are connected? I do not have datasheet (although NDA signed was sent, but they did not reply) to check this out.

Cheers,
Matej

 

[Russ White]

Things are connected as they should be according to the datasheet.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[Russ White]

Also, how did you come to the conclusion its only doing 6ma?

You have to remember that the Sabre DAC actually acts like a voltage output DAC with a 195R output impedance.

So when measuring keep that in mind.

 

[matejS]

Russ, you are right. It must be to early for me and I forgot about those 195ohms. Having it in equation makes everything right

Thanks,
Matej

 

[Russ White]

No Worries Matej. Its a very easy mistake to make.

Its also a lot of current for an output stage to have to handle.

 

[dday_one]

PCBs (and likely kits too) are available for anyone who has balanced gear and wants to give it ago.

I would not use it directly out single ended because you will get a turn-on and turn-off thump.

I would like to try this. I'm using the buffalo with great pleasure. My wife questioned me thoroughly what I had changed that made piano sound so much more real...

Currently I'm listening to a the following setup (see pic):
CD-Pro2M --> buffallo (over spdif) --> IVY --> relais attenuator (home made, not balanced) --> Hypex UCD400.

I would like to skip the attenuator completely and go from buffalo to I/V stage to UCD fully balanced. Volume would have to be controlled digitally in the DAC of course. This, I still need to program into a PIC...
Analog sources like radio (low quality anyway) would need to be converted to digital first and would travel the same route afterwards.

Where to order?

So TPA team: Thanks for the hard work!!

Regards,
Lennert

 

[BrianDonegan]

I would like to skip the attenuator completely and go from buffalo to I/V stage to UCD fully balanced. Volume would have to be controlled digitally in the DAC of course. This, I still need to program into a PIC...

This sounds like a job for the Volumite!

Analog sources like radio (low quality anyway) would need to be converted to digital first and would travel the same route afterwards.

We have a plan around this, actually. It will remain top secret until it's a little more formed.

 

[dday_one]

This sounds like a job for the Volumite!

Yes, and actually I'm awaiting its awailability... I could than maybe even use the Uber controller to control the CDPro...

We have a plan around this, actually. It will remain top secret until it's a little more formed.

If you tell me here ... I'm sure nobody will find out

(but seriously, I can live without analog sources for quite some time the buffalo sounding the way it does...)

 

[woodturner-fran]

Russ,

when do you think the counterpoint kits will be available?


Fran

 

[Russ White]

Russ,

when do you think the counterpoint kits will be available?


Fran

Honestly I need to test it further before I release. I am waiting until I have a couple placid power supplies sin my hand to test with before I do much more testing.

I am still getting some nagging buzz which I think may be a GND loop, but I need to be sure I have the design solidified before I turn it loose.

I would be willing to send some "beta" boards and the latest schematic to people who have the time and know-how to help me perfect Counterpoint. It could be I am missing something that will be obvious to someone else.

If anyone here is interested please contact me by email.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[ichiban]

This sounds like a job for the Volumite!

Hi Brian,
Have you noticed any loss of resolution/details between the
Volumite and Joshua Tree Attenuator ?

 

[BrianDonegan]

192kHz S/PDIF

So, just finished testing a Buffalo with the updated comparator in place. I get solid lock at 24bit/192kHz S/PDIF.

Since I don't have a true 192kHz source, my test rig used a Metronome to upsample a 16/44.1 signal to 24/192 I2S, which was then fed through a WM8804 module to transmit the S/PDIF to the Buffalo.

Future Buffalos will use the new comparator.

 

[FallenAngel]

Sounds awesome, so when are the new Buffalo boards going to be available again?

Also how about the Counterpoint?

On another side note, the USB receiver - what level is the I2S signal from it? 3.3V or 5V? I was looking at the PCM2707 datasheet and I couldn't find a clear answer on that so I'm wondering if you know.

This is a side project for the North Star m192 DAC that I have which accepts I2S input (which also makes me think hello Metronome )