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AckoDAC based on ES9039PRO

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#23
capslock said:
What I would like on top is the possibility to tweak the distortion registers in the ESS DAC (similar to what IVX of E1DA is doing) and some analog gain control, even if it is only two 10 dB steps via front panel switch or just DIP switch.
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To do that it is possible to create a PC app (Window/MacOS) like one that IVX has for his devices and use York to do the communication with DAC thru I2C.
 
#25
capslock said:
I would be in for something similar to Topping DM7 (USB in, 8 channel out via ES9038pro). What I would like on top is the possibility to tweak the distortion registers in the ESS DAC ….
Click to expand...

Yes, similar to DM7 interface for the core dac module… USB or other audio feeds externally
The included Controller can be used for tweaking the distortion registers for advanced users.
 
#27
capslock said:
….
I am not sure that ES9039pro is the way to go. IVX found some issues with 10 kHz. Using four pairs of 9039Q2M seems to give better performance at a lower price.
…
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The measurements of the actual eval board from ESS do not show concerns. All done by an AP machine.

Btw, this is a top tier design for the highest possible performance. There will be precision audio grade metal foil resistors and film caps for critical sections. Promotional price for this first batch
 
#28
9039PRO measurements Eval board
IMG_1903.jpeg
 
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#29
No doubt these results are more than good enough for listening. At the same time, -135 dB harmonics has been reached with 9038q2m and pro. I see 9039q2m DACs regularly coming out at < -140 dB. IVX squeezes out <-150 dB in his 9039s dongle. He wrote he made several protos with 9039pro for his Cosmos DAC (a measurement signal generator) and shelved that product as he was getting better harmonic distortion performance (especially at 10 kHz) out of the humble 9039q2m. Nobody needs that kind of performance in a headphone amp dongle, but for running tests without the need for a notch it is sweet.

TLDR: I am surprised that ESS didn't eek out better performance from their eval board. There are several very competent implemantation of the 9038pro for multichannel out commercially available (DM7, Ultralite mk5), so your board would find its place only among enthusiasts who are willing to interface it to their own USB or other soruce if it surpasses those in performance.
 
#30
Ok thanks, good points - noted. Will check with ESS on further improvements. My implementation already takes it further so the expected performance accordingly. Yes, has to be top notch to knock out the others (listening wise mainly) or no go further. Btw. X4 9039Q2M as you suggested to get eight channels is just a savings of $20 over the PRO and helluva work to route clocks etc to multiple chips
. Stay tuned🙂
 
#32
ES9039Q2M is clearly an improvement over ES9038Q2M. With ES9038Q2M THD compensations need to be tweaked even to reach datasheet specs. ES9039Q2M can go beyond datasheet specs without using any THD compensation. All that is needed is to use better I/V stage than in datasheet.
 
#33
capslock said:
There are several very competent implemantation of the 9038pro for multichannel out commercially available (DM7, Ultralite mk5), so your board would find its place only among enthusiasts who are willing to interface it to their own USB or other soruce if it surpasses those in performance.
Click to expand...
I was thinking a better choice for users to select their preferred external USB or other sources to suit and DAC takes in all.

Btw Topping tops out at pcm 192k and DSD128 from their USB. There are people wanting up to pcm 384k and DSD256 on all eight channels …
 
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