Buffalo DAC (ESS Sabre 9008)

[FallenAngel]

Originally posted by Russ White



I designed this just for the occasion. The reason we used the CS8416 is because you can't use the WM8805 as a MUX in hardware mode, which stinks...

Cheers!
Russ

Well that looks very cute, is that something to be available soon and how will it be controlled?

[Russ White]

Originally posted by FallenAngel



Well that looks very cute, is that something to be available soon and how will it be controlled?

I am just awaiting parts to test it, then it will be available. It won't be long now.

It can be controlled two ways.

First, with a simple rotary switch.

Second, with a microntroller application , like the AC1.

Cheers!
Riss

[krgaunt]

This is my first post, but I've been reading this thread since April.

Goto the Ess web site, www.esstech.com, to hear Dustin in a short radio interview. You can download the interview with Martin Mallinson and Dustin Forman discussing the Sabre chip.

I have to admit that I've have been lucky enough to get a demo of the Sabre DAC at ESS headquarters in Fremont CA. It was one of those things where words can't describe how amazing the DAC sounded. But the experience has stuck with me ever since.

We were hosted by Bob Blair, the President of ESS, and we spent 2 hours in their official demo room. We played a number of CDs that myself and a friend brought, I've never heard my disks sound so good. But when Bob played Rebecca Pidgeon's Spanish Harlem....the sound was so amazing. It was like she was standing on a wide stage and I was just a few feet from her. The sound from the double bass is remarkably clear. Breathtaking.

At ESS they did an A/B comparison in real time of the music through the Sabre vs. another high-end DAC. The most obvious thing about the "sound" of the Sabre is that it lifts the fog and the fuzziness from the music. This distortion is the jitter that the Sabre chip eliminates. Ever since the demo, I distinctly hear the jitter distortion in every (non-Sabre) digital audio system I've listened to, it really is bothersome when you know what to listen for.

I've been into hi-end audio since the 80's, I've run the sound systems in performing art theaters, outdoor concerts, and live recording sessions. So I've heard a few good systems from time to time. (not bragging, just describing my audio experience)

At ESS, Bob showed us a comparison of the Sabre DAC against the two best DAC competitor chips available, performed by an independent consultant. In every chart, the Sabre was significantly better in comparison to the other DACs.

I have to say, anyone serious about sound and music has to get this DAC.

Ross G.

[anbello]

Originally posted by Russ White



I designed this just for the occasion. The reason we used the CS8416 is because you can't use the WM8805 as a MUX in hardware mode, which stinks...

Cheers!
Russ

Sorry Russ, this unit simply copy the in to the out or the spdif pass through the 8416 pll to have a first step of jitter reduction?
Maybe i have to read the ds ...

ciao
andrea

[BrianDonegan]

Originally posted by anbello



Sorry Russ, this unit simply copy the in to the out or the spdif pass through the 8416 pll to have a first step of jitter reduction?
Maybe i have to read the ds ...

ciao
andrea

The S/PDIF output is not dejittered, but simply passed though to the output after the internal MUX.

There is also an I2S output, however.

[schro20]

Is it possible to hook up a CD transport directly to the Buffalo board? I mean, not using spdif. Has anyone tried this? I don't want to reinvent the wheel...

Peter

[Russ White]

Originally posted by schro20
Is it possible to hook up a CD transport directly to the Buffalo board? I mean, not using spdif. Has anyone tried this? I don't want to reinvent the wheel...

Peter

Yes, if it has a standard I2S output with a 64fs bitclock.

If the bit clock is 32fs or 48fs you will need to reclock it to 64fs.

You can use something like the Metronome to reclock.

Cheers!
Russ

[Nikola Krivorov]

Hi Russ,

I think I read somewhere that you recommend 7-9 V for both the VDA and the VDC- is that correct? And do you think it is worth to upgrade the Ivy to Haiku (if it is an upgrade)?I must say I really like the the Buffalo, sounds really close to actual instruments and voices, very emotional, but I find the stage a little small, so if anyone can give an advice on how to try and improve things in that direction it will be much appreciated.

[wobbly]

I have a CD PRO2 LF to run direct I2S into the buffalo, can you tell me if this is bitclock compatible @ 64fs, and secondly can I have some more practical info on implementing the digital vol , as i would like to do this as soon as the kit arrives.

cheers

[Russ White]

Originally posted by Nikola Krivorov
Hi Russ,

1) I think I read somewhere that you recommend 7-9 V for both the VDA and the VDC- is that correct?

2) And do you think it is worth to upgrade the Ivy to Haiku (if it is an upgrade)?

3)I must say I really like the the Buffalo, sounds really close to actual instruments and voices, very emotional, but I find the stage a little small, so if anyone can give an advice on how to try and improve things in that direction it will be much appreciated.

1) Correct. I use 7.5V at each.

2) I have actually shelved Haiku for now in favor of "Counterpoint" which is very similar, but more symmetrical, and it requires no coupling caps. I have yet to thoroughly test it. I am not sure its fair to call one or the other an upgrade. They are simply different. Different folks will like each better.

3) Thanks. I am not sure what advice to give here, almost everyone will have different setup down stream from the DAC which is very likely to impact your experience. You might try raising or lowering the corner frequency of the IVY filter. To raise the frequency lower the cap value, to lower the frequency raise the cap value, you can go all the way from no cap to around 12nf or so. There is a lot of room to tweak the sound to your liking.

Cheers!
Russ