Twisted Pear Audio - Buffalo32S (ES9018 DAC)

[Duffy Moon]

Originally Posted by BrianDonegan

I think I found the perfect headers. Looks like the IVY-III kits will include headers and sockets to stack the DAC without wires.

That sounds great. Much easier to assemble/disassemble and should keep everything nice and solid.

[NicMac]

Originally Posted by BrianDonegan

I think I found the perfect headers. Looks like the IVY-III kits will include headers and sockets to stack the DAC without wires.

Could you please add the parts numbers to the IVY III BOM so that we who ordered the bare PCB can source these or similar.
Thanks,
Nic

[IngemarR]

Dear Russ,

is is kinda intersting that Computer Audiophile Computer Audiophile | High-End Audiophile Music Servers
is talking about
"DXD DACs on the horizon?"
and even though there seems to be some non consenus to what DXD is, there are some interesting info there.

FIM comments that they migh release one of their recordings, the "What A Wonderful Trio", that was made in DXD, DSD, tape, and 24/192 formats,
as a DXD download.

I find the comment from Bruce at FIM "We then took the files back to our studio and listened carefully to each one and chose the DXD version to master." an indication that DXD is they to go in the future.



Regards,

Originally Posted by Russ White

I did not do the tests myself yet (someone else with a Buf32S did) but I will soon.

I knew the DAC would accept the sample rate, what I was waiting to confirm was that the FIR filter would still work as designed. The datasheet was not clear to me in this respect.

ESS has confirmed to me that the OSF/FIR will operate correctly.

Soon I will try it for myself.

Cheers!
Russ

[realmadrid]

An better link
DXD DACs on the horizon? | Computer Audiophile

[t.]

Hi Russ and Brian,

Because the Buffalo32 is now discontinued is there any chance you'll be releasing the schematic for the B32 owners?

Thanks

[IngemarR]

Dear Russ,

it's been 6 weeks and I thought I'd check with you how the testing went?



Regards,

Originally Posted by Russ White

I did not do the tests myself yet (someone else with a Buf32S did) but I will soon.

I knew the DAC would accept the sample rate, what I was waiting to confirm was that the FIR filter would still work as designed. The datasheet was not clear to me in this respect.

ESS has confirmed to me that the OSF/FIR will operate correctly.

Soon I will try it for myself.

Cheers!
Russ

[Russ White]

I have successfully played DXD files from a couple sources (both DSP based) one worked quite well, the other not very well. The bit clock has to be clean(very clean) for good results. The example that worked well used a fixed clock of 22.5792mhz and worked synchronously. It locked quite well with both 80mhz and 100mhz clocks. You actually get better DNR with 80mhz but the DAC will lock onto worse signal with 100mhz.

In the end, running at 352khz has some pretty serious drawbacks to THD and DNR(measured). And I have found that 192K samples sound much better, at least to me.

Cheers!
Russ

[Russ White]

Originally Posted by t.

Hi Russ and Brian,

Because the Buffalo32 is now discontinued is there any chance you'll be releasing the schematic for the B32 owners?

Thanks

No, not yet.

[IngemarR]

Dear Russ,

thank you for testing playing DXD files. It is interesting - but not strange -that the source affects DXD playability.

100 MHz clocks! - Long time ago, audio stopped at 20 kHz...today we use 100 MHz clocks for audio! Fascinating, as Mr Spock used to sat.


Regards,

Originally Posted by Russ White

I have successfully played DXD files from a couple sources (both DSP based) one worked quite well, the other not very well. The bit clock has to be clean(very clean) for good results. The example that worked well used a fixed clock of 22.5792mhz and worked synchronously. It locked quite well with both 80mhz and 100mhz clocks. You actually get better DNR with 80mhz but the DAC will lock onto worse signal with 100mhz.

In the end, running at 352khz has some pretty serious drawbacks to THD and DNR(measured). And I have found that 192K samples sound much better, at least to me.

Cheers!
Russ

[nycavsr2000]

Brian & Russ (and anybody else who has the answers!):

I am a little late to the game of building up my Buffalo 32S dac (2nd generation). The version of the circuit board is 1.1, purchased in June 2009.

1) The parallel lines marked in 4 spots on the output section of the board should be cut if using this in a standard stereo system (non-headphone system) right? I've been told that the dac sounds a lot better with the lower output impedance.

2) On the reverse side of the board, there appear to be four areas where there are pictographs of resistors at locations R47-R50, I take it this is where I would solder my 2K resistors to set the output voltage to 2V rms output balanced and 1V rms output unbalanced?

3) If I am just using this with standard SPDIF digital input, I don't need to mess with any of the DIP switches right?

Thanks,
Anand.