Introducing the Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9028/9038

[tubesguy]

Thanks. Perhaps it's time to dip into the retirement fund again for a 4th Buff variant.

 

[diyaudnut]

Russ,

Any news on the 8CH version BIV?

thanks

 

[Rajapruk]

Russ,

Any news on the 8CH version BIV?

thanks

I am waiting for that too!

 

[Microfast]

Me too ...

 

[akras]

And me, too... I have a pretty elaborate setup for active 4-way speakers with miniSHARC, Cronus, and a bunch of other TPA boards, all assembled, waiting for the new 8-channel DAC. And now, with the 8-channel Buffalo-III apparently discontinued, I'm kind of stuck...

 

[Rajapruk]

How does a typical DIY-build of Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9038 measure (SNR, THD+N, crosstalk)? Can it get close to a Benchmark Dac3 performance for a "normal" build?

 

[marcelooms]

Russ,

Any news on the 8CH version BIV?

thanks

Hoping for it too: would be a great update for my software XOver system!

 

[barrows]

well...

How does a typical DIY-build of Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9038 measure (SNR, THD+N, crosstalk)? Can it get close to a Benchmark Dac3 performance for a "normal" build?

No one has posted any measurements yet... Got to get one into the hands of someone with an AP. Certainly it should measure quite well, if someone does a good build and layout job.
Subjective sound quality of my Buff PRO (9038)/Mercury build certainly is better than anything I have heard at less than $10K retail.

 

[miero]

BTW: Is there any publicly available measurement of older Buffalo3? And done on AP?

 

[Rajapruk]

I can not find any measurements when searching the web.
I hope it is me just not finding it, or did you all buy it without knowing how it measures?

 

[Malefoda]

With which output stage?

 

[Rajapruk]

Mercury would be most interesting for me, because I am interested in the coming 8-channel dac.
But any would do, just to see what kind of end-result performance can be realised with the TPA-stuff.

 

[Malefoda]

I don't know if you can find that, almost everyone has unique setup, ps, I/V, regs... Maybe Russ & Brian have a "reference full TP" DAC and then can give numbers, don't you guys?

 

[Russ White]

I don't have access to an AP (they cost about $30K) - but ESS measured the IVY circuit + ES9018(B32 in this case) for us. B-II,III etc are all using the same DAC (ES9018).

-117db THD+N and ~129db DNR(stereo)

That output stage was identical in function to the IVY-III. Mercury is also very similar.

I have measured (on PC using sound cards) all of my modules - but those measurements are limited by the capability of the sound card ADC etc. I don't consider them very accurate - just a sanity check.

Also note that for any balanced output DAC you need a fully differential ADC on the test instrument in order to measure it accurately. The balanced output will always be superior to the SE output - but measuring differential signals by the difference of 2 SE channels is not ideal - because single ended each channel will have its own errors. That's why I would love to have an AP. If anyone wants to donate one let me know.

 

[Rajapruk]

Thanks, nice figures!
And crosstalk?

A large spike at 1KHz in that diagram, something to worry about?

 

[Russ White]

It was not measured - but by the nature of the circuit/layout - it will be next to nothing.

 

[miero]

That 1kHz spike is a test signal

 

[Rajapruk]

That 1kHz spike is a test signal

Ok, I see

 

[Rajapruk]

Russ, can you give us a guesstimate of when the 8-channel dac will be ready?

 

[Russ White]

I should be able to pick it back up soon - work life has been quite hectic lately