USB to I2S 384Khz - DSD Converter

[linuxfan]

Originally Posted by NicMac

DSD over USB
Does this require a music file in "DSD format"

Yes, either as DSDIFF (.dff) or DSF (.dsf) files.
The main source of such files is, of course, SACD discs. And the only way to rip SACD's is with a hacked PlayStation3. I hesitate to provide any more details here to avoid raising the ire of Sony's lawyers.

There are some DSD audio files available as paid downloads, but very few.

Originally Posted by NicMac

are any type of music files converted by the PC software to this format before being send as USB "signal"?

Yes, Korg AudioGate and Weiss Saracon can convert PCM to DSD, but it's debatable whether this would achieve any audible benefit.
Does a 24bit 192kHz PCM file sound any better after being converted to DSD?
Or does the 24bit 192 kHz PCM file sound better when processed to analogue from its native form?

[orpheus]

Originally Posted by qusp

hmm get actual mac mini? theres a suggestion

Would you say the same thing to someone running Linux?

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by orpheus

Apparently the USB ports on my hackintosh cause a 4khz noise. Any suggestions for how I can fix this noise problem? I would like to use this computer with the Amanero. Would upgrading the computer's power supply (it is just the cheapo one that came with the case), or getting a USB PCI card make a difference?

Though I have not tested it, I think it might be prospective.
Adnaco-S3B – USB 3.0 Over Fiber Optic Expansion System

Originally Posted by orpheus

Is the default setting when I pull the firmware chip "best"?

The default DPLL bandwidth parameter of ES9018 is "default best". However, no one knows what the "best" setting actually means.

[Bunpei]

Originally Posted by linuxfan

... Korg AudioGate and Weiss Saracon can convert PCM to DSD, but it's debatable whether this would achieve any audible benefit.
Does a 24bit 192kHz PCM file sound any better after being converted to DSD?
Or does the 24bit 192 kHz PCM file sound better when processed to analogue from its native form? ...

Beside the two quoted above, there are three programs at least.
1. Sony DSD Direct
2. Koon's PCM to DSD converter program (only source codes written in C++ are available on his site)
3. Sunacchi's enhanced version for Koon's original
Among the five software, I think Sony DSD Direct is the best.

According to my experiences and impressions, DSD256 files converted by using Sony DSD Direct are apparently better than corresponding 24 bit 192/352.8 kHz PCM file sound. More than 10 Japanese audiophiles have agreed with this opinion. For DSD64 and DSD128, pros & cons, not so remarkable.

[qusp]

see I just dont know that I buy that, as it just seems far too much like claiming to make something out of nothing and an excuse to charge more for old audiophile recordings and give them a new lease on life, but thats part of the reason I got this board to test this stuff out. i'm primarily interested in native DSD though

linuxfan, can you perhaps send me a PM, I will be buying discs and PS3

[merlin el mago]

Originally Posted by chi0001

thanks for the reply.
but no sound come out, i am thinking, the pin 7 put high is dsd on, should i connect it to pin 8"gnd" to make it 0v?

Have you connected usb gnd to dac gnd?

[chi0001]

Originally Posted by merlin el mago

Have you connected usb gnd to dac gnd?

fixed, if someone use pcm, pin7 need ground, thats mean pin 7 connect pin8.

[merlin el mago]

[Marlowe]

Just built my Combo384 using the WM8804/ES9023 board. The sound is good. Didn't try the DSD output yet.

[opc]

Hi Guys,

I finally got around to testing the Amanero board this morning with my Buffalo II and NTD1.

Playback is quite good for the most part, but there are a few pretty serious issues I'm hoping can be addressed:

1. There does not appear to be any support for 32-bit playback.
2. 384kHz sample rate files do play, but there is some serious instability. Background noise is elevated, and between tracks (no playback but still digital lock) there is a loud whizzing sound.

Here is the test setup:

Windows 7 64-bit Running on Asus MOBO with i5 2500k and OCZ Vertex SSD
J-River MC-18
WASAPI Event Style output to Amanero
3 ft USB with ferrite
1 ft USB without ferrite
6" Twisted Pair wires for I2S
BII with 80MHz clock and Volumite
NTD1 I/V
The Wire BAL-BAL
Denon AH-D2000 Balanced

All 24-bit and 16-bit files from 44.1kHz up to 192kHz play perfectly with no detectable background noise or hiccups.

I also tried the pin 8 to pin 7 connection suggested by chi0001 above, and there was absolutely no difference for me.

For reference, when I used an exaU2I in the exact same setup as above, playback of both 32 bit FP and 384kHz files worked perfectly, so I know the rest of the playback chain is not at fault. I have also used XMOS, Musiland, and C-Media solutions in the same set up with absolutely no issues.

Can anyone else here confirm that they are able to play 32 bit files and 384kHz sample rate files?

I have attached a few pictures of the set up below.

Cheers,
Owen