Twisted Pear Audio - Buffalo32S (ES9018 DAC)

[BrianDonegan]

before the prices were listed on the website, there was also also a package containing an buffalo 32s, digital p/s and 2 analogue p/s modules. now only a package containing 1 analogue p/s is mentioned. why has the package with 2 analogues been scrapped? no noticable difference in sound?

To be perfectly honest, I did not intend to update the page this morning with the pricing, as it is still in a state of flux (we are still finalizing the parts). I might add the third PS option back in, I was still working on it.

A couple things I want to mention though. The new IVY (IVYII) is really a mono design, so the implementation on the Buf32s is really two IVYs, so a more accurate apple to apple comparison would be Buffalo + IVY + IVY (part count wise).

Also, you can't see it from the picture, but there are a lot of parts on the bottom of the board. The original Buffalo had a single cap. This makes building the boards a lot more tricky, so we will likely send them out to be assembled. An estimate of this cost is included in the posted pricing, but again, will likely change a bit.

[Joshua_G]

Russ and Brian,

I'm, for one, into top sound quality more than counting $$$.
I have a hunch that you aren't going to get rich out of Twisted Pear …

[krgaunt]

Originally posted by Russ White



There is nothing really to compare it to.

Really it is something special.

Cheers!
Russ

Having A/B compared the Sabre-24 and the Sabre-32 prototype boards at ESS Hq, the S-32 experience is special. The sound of the S-32 has a warmth and smoothness over the S-24. Even compared to the Macintosh Sabre CD player ($6,000 USD) , the S-32 sound was superior.

From the care in choosing components that Russ has made, I would expect the Buffalo-32 to sound better than the ESS prototype. I just amortize the cost of the B-32 over the years of enjoyment that I'll receive from listening to it, and to me the cost is worth it. Maybe that's screwball, but the S-32 sounds wonderful and I am waiting with bated breath for the B-32 to go on sale.

RossG

[glt]

In comparison, OPUS DAC = receiver, metro, dac and ivy =$310, so there is a 50% premium for better DAC and components...

[awpagan]

Russ and Brien

Why an inbuilt I/V?

How hard is it to use your "roll your own I/V" and hack it in?

allan

[Russ White]

Originally posted by awpagan
Russ and Brien

Why an inbuilt I/V?

How hard is it to use your "roll your own I/V" and hack it in?

allan

Well, its something that while quite simple took me a while to grasp. The path the the high impedance analog signal takes to the low impedance I/V converter is critical.

I will leave it at that.

Yes, its not a small thing. And yes. Some people told me so. And to you all I say thank you.

Cheers!
Russ

[Beefy]

Originally posted by Russ White


Well, its something that while quite simple took me a while to grasp. The path the the high impedance analog signal takes to the low impedance I/V converter is critical.

Asking out of pure personal curiosity, rather than any desire or need......

Is it possible to just add some through hole or surface mount pads to tap into the analogue signal right out of the DAC? Or does even that cause a decrease in performance?

[Russ White]

Originally posted by Beefy



Asking out of pure personal curiosity, rather than any desire or need......

Is it possible to just add some through hole or surface mount pads to tap into the analogue signal right out of the DAC? Or does even that cause a decrease in performance?

Well by virtue of the next stage(since its almost nil impedance) what your would get would be close to 0VAC unless you removed the I/V stage.

So it would take something like what we had in the first Buffalo which is what the "Tweaker Board" will be. But don't expect the same kind of Dynamic range as can be done on a single board, as it is simply not possible. Though a big part of me wishes it were...

Cheers!
Russ

[Beefy]

No worries!

[avr300]

Originally posted by krgaunt


Having A/B compared the Sabre-24 and the Sabre-32 prototype boards at ESS Hq, the S-32 experience is special. The sound of the S-32 has a warmth and smoothness over the S-24. Even compared to the Macintosh Sabre CD player ($6,000 USD) , the S-32 sound was superior.

.
.
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RossG

Seen in that perspective, $549 still is a great offer.

Great job Russ and Brian. I'm waiting for the "out of stock" to change.