Buffalo III - flexibility without compromise.

[Russ White]

I am quite sure I have mentioned that all you have to do is request it recently.

[Coris]

Originally Posted by Takaji

The last mention of the ES9018 datasheet in this thread indicated that you still had to sign a non-disclosure agreement... good to see this is not needed anymore!

I asked for two weeks ago datasheet directly to ESS - support. No any answer ever...
I just got it today at once that datasheet following Takaji usefully advice/info. Nice!

[Erlend Sæterdal]

Brought my OPus Double mono tonight for the club. I have done some mods. I use Silk volumentrafos and a shunt regulated Lars Vester buffer capable of driving 50 ohms. The best dac ever in the club.

Sorry for OT.

[Coris]

Hi Russ

I can see in the old manual of Buffalo this:
"AVCC should be in the range of 3.3V +/- 5%. Voltage outside this range may result in damage the DAC."

I can see in the new manual of Buffalo 3 the follow:
"You might note that we use an AVCC voltage that is slightly
higher than 3.3VDC. This helps us achieve slightly better dynamic range."

In "Technical Details of the Sabre Audio DAC" I can find this:
"The Sabre DAC operates from nominally 3.3v for its analog section and
nominally 1.2v for its digital section. The analog section
power supply is flexible: it will operate from 4.0v down to1.8v
with little performance degradation.
.................................................. ...............................
"This configuration allows >132dB of DNR to be typically
reached. NOTE: With 4.0V power supply greater than 133dB can be achieved."

Is destructive more than 3,3v AVCC or not? The DAC can in fact tolerate up to 4v on AVCC? What could be a safe level in your opinion?

Can you comment a little, and maybe precise exactly what is the AVCC level you have set up in the Buffalo 3?

Thanks.

[Russ White]

This just reflects a progression of knowledge passed on to me from ESS since that Buffalo manual nothing more. Early data sheets said that AVCC should be 3.3V. What we found with Buffalo II and III was that 3.4 to 3.6V was a sweet spot, lower or higher gave mixed results. Certainly up to 4V is safe , but such voltage will require some tweaking of output stages to compensate. Really if your questions are about the chip itself, they should be directed to ESS.

[Coris]

Originally Posted by Russ White

This just reflects a progression of knowledge passed on to me from ESS since that Buffalo manual nothing more. Early data sheets said that AVCC should be 3.3V. What we found with Buffalo II and III was that 3.4 to 3.6V was a sweet spot, lower or higher gave mixed results. Certainly up to 4V is safe , but such voltage will require some tweaking of output stages to compensate. Really if your questions are about the chip itself, they should be directed to ESS.

Thanks again for your comment. In fact, in the meantime waiting my Buffalo coming, I really try to understand better (in details) how the things works... I have no intention to come out on the market with another DAC based on this chip (or another one...).

[Russ White]

Originally Posted by Coris

Thanks again for your comment. In fact, in the meantime waiting my Buffalo coming, I really try to understand better (in details) how the things works... I have no intention to come out on the market with another DAC based on this chip (or another one...).

I was not worried over that, only trying to explain that my knowledge of the chip has its limits as well. I regularly have the ask ESS questions myself.

[beau2317]

My Buffalo III arrived a couple of days ago. While I was waiting for it to arrive I'd built the rest - PSUs, tube output stage, etc. So it only took a few hours to get it up and running.

I plan to post a separate thread with build pics, etc

But just wanted to say that it sounds awesome..

[angcl]

Originally Posted by beau2317

My Buffalo III arrived a couple of days ago. While I was waiting for it to arrive I'd built the rest - PSUs, tube output stage, etc. So it only took a few hours to get it up and running.

I plan to post a separate thread with build pics, etc

But just wanted to say that it sounds awesome..

Hi ,what type of tube output you used ? can share the circuit ?

Thanks

[beau2317]

Yes I will reveal all in upcoming thread.