For one application (Linkwitz LX521) I need to at least temporarily use a MiniDSP NanoDigi. Are there any concerns about the DIR in the four stereo DACs used drifting apart?
I already have 2x SMSL 10th MkII (AK4493). I was thinking about getting either two more SMSL SU-1 (AK4493S) or SMSL PS200 (same stripped down case and display as SU-1, but ES9039Q2M). I was not too thrilled listening to earlier incarnations of ESS DACs (Motu M4 and Ultralite Mk5, Topping DM7), but the ES9039Q2M seems to be a different animal based e.g. on archimago's measurements. I also noted the manufacturer distortion measurements of the PS200 show no hint of an ESS hump but rather a slight increase from about - 5 dB FS, which is very similar to how AK4493 behaves.
If there are concerns, is there a way to use one DIR/DAC as the master and slave the others to it? I remember this was possible with some DIRs but I have no idea whether even a separate DIR chip is used in these.
The alternative would be building an 8 channel I2S in DAC as there are currently no attractive options on the market, but that is something for another thread.
PS: just realized the 10th mkii is one of the few modern DACs that still have a jitter issue with S/PDIF or optical in 🙁
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/smsl-sanskrit-10th-mk-ii-dac-review.12148/
The SU-1 seems to be a lot better in this regard (even if Amir only tested optical in):
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-su-1-stereo-dac-review.44029/
I already have 2x SMSL 10th MkII (AK4493). I was thinking about getting either two more SMSL SU-1 (AK4493S) or SMSL PS200 (same stripped down case and display as SU-1, but ES9039Q2M). I was not too thrilled listening to earlier incarnations of ESS DACs (Motu M4 and Ultralite Mk5, Topping DM7), but the ES9039Q2M seems to be a different animal based e.g. on archimago's measurements. I also noted the manufacturer distortion measurements of the PS200 show no hint of an ESS hump but rather a slight increase from about - 5 dB FS, which is very similar to how AK4493 behaves.
If there are concerns, is there a way to use one DIR/DAC as the master and slave the others to it? I remember this was possible with some DIRs but I have no idea whether even a separate DIR chip is used in these.
The alternative would be building an 8 channel I2S in DAC as there are currently no attractive options on the market, but that is something for another thread.
PS: just realized the 10th mkii is one of the few modern DACs that still have a jitter issue with S/PDIF or optical in 🙁
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/smsl-sanskrit-10th-mk-ii-dac-review.12148/
The SU-1 seems to be a lot better in this regard (even if Amir only tested optical in):
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-su-1-stereo-dac-review.44029/
Last edited:
Hi Eric,
And if DIRs are the same, latency also should be the same.
As long as all four DIRs receive bitstream from one source, they all will lock to the same frequency, defined by signal source.Are there any concerns about the DIR in the four stereo DACs used drifting apart?
And if DIRs are the same, latency also should be the same.
That's true, they are forced back to the same clock. My concern was more that they could oszillate differently around the same frequency.
That normally should not happen. Even if source clock deviates, all DIT would follow same way (if the deviation is within he spec).
Sound like you need something similar to FreeDSP Octavia but with better DACs?
Sound like you need something similar to FreeDSP Octavia but with better DACs?