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AckoDAC based on ES9039PRO

Yes, the limitation or complexities for >8 channels sync will be the audio/IF side and not the DAC itself. I don’t know if there are any 16ch USB-I2S devices out there?
None that I’m aware of that will do 16 channels. The only solutions I know of are:

1) Ravenna oem, but someone needs to build a solution with it:

https://merging.com/assets/img/merging/products/zman/Merging Technologies - ZMAN Brochure.pdf


2) Dante monisms modules can theoretically be scaled with a common clock and made aggregate with the drivers. The DACs need to be in i2s bus mode (tdm?) Dante has more limitations in sampling ranges and can’t do DSD etc, tho.

if there’s anything you can do around either of these or something for 16-channel, I’ll take two boards.
 
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Have asked Merging before re: Q/A below:

Q:
“I/O handling for ZMAN looks like 8CH out based on current hardware interface. Can two modules be used to get 16CH I/O (synchronized)?”


[Merging A]
Our I2S implementation in the ZMAN module supports up to 8ch OUT for PCM384 and DSD256. Using 2 ZMAN modules might be quite complex to handle as those would be seen as 2 different devices on the network, although they would be synchronized via PTP.
 
Have asked Merging before re: Q/A below:

Q:
“I/O handling for ZMAN looks like 8CH out based on current hardware interface. Can two modules be used to get 16CH I/O (synchronized)?”


[Merging A]
Our I2S implementation in the ZMAN module supports up to 8ch OUT for PCM384 and DSD256. Using 2 ZMAN modules might be quite complex to handle as those would be seen as 2 different devices on the network, although they would be synchronized via PTP.
Ahh...I wonder how they do this in the Merging Hapi. They allow up to two 8-channel cards in there for 16-channels.


In any case, the PTP support is promising, so Im okay to go with this!

Assuming it doesnt work and I have to fall back to TDM over USB or Dante, would you be able to sort the code for it?

GB List update:
Acko x4
uptownsquash x1
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Thanks, I will look into the application side of things later and if no success just return the boards for full refund
Ace. Thanks for the support. I just asked someone who has a lot of experience on the Merging platforms. He's run an Anubis and Hapi together for a 4+8 (12-channel) DSD setup. The VAD driver caters to this via PTP. Im hopeful something should be workable.
 
Model: AKD39
chip: ES9039MPRO
Description: Core DAC module with I2S, DSD, Spdif and TDM inputs on pins. 8 channels out on pins. Controller included. On-board Regs for chip supply: DVDD_1.2V digital core. AVDD_3.3V digital I/O, VCCA_3.3V analog, AVCC_ref 3.3V ULN. External power +/-12V(9-15V range),500mA rating needed (not included)

Promotional price: USD 585
Min Qty:12

GB List update:
Acko x4
uptownsquash x1
Anonymous x1
Charcoal x1
fedde x1
AR2 x2
Raj!1 x2
Stepping3D x1

Total: 13
 
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Ace. Thanks for the support. I just asked someone who has a lot of experience on the Merging platforms. He's run an Anubis and Hapi together for a 4+8 (12-channel) DSD setup. The VAD driver caters to this via PTP. Im hopeful something should be workable.
Fantastic, I will be in touch to work out the details of this application layer. I wonder why Merging didn’t mention about Anubis and Hapi route. As far I know the VAD (virtual audio driver) sees this 8ch Zaman module as a sound card over network and this gets passed on to player like HQP. So, when two Zman are on a network how does a 16ch combo presents to the player?🤔
 
afaik, it’s centered around configuring a virtual sound card to aggregate the channels through the VAD and perhaps Aneman, which are then presented to the OS as a single device.

1723170259421.png


this video has some info about the Anubis

https://www.youtube.com/live/ID8hL50T_os?si=p2wW8CIY_2Rc1QRY
 
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Model: AKD39
chip: ES9039MPRO
Description: Core DAC module with I2S, DSD, Spdif and TDM inputs on pins. 8 channels out on pins. Controller included. On-board Regs for chip supply: DVDD_1.2V digital core. AVDD_3.3V digital I/O, VCCA_3.3V analog, AVCC_ref 3.3V ULN. External power +/-12V(9-15V range),500mA rating needed (not included)

Promotional price: USD 585
Min Qty:12

GB List update:
Acko x4
uptownsquash x1
Anonymous x1
Charcoal x1
fedde x1
AR2 x2
Raj!1 x2
Stepping3D x1

Total: 13
Would be good to add info on trigger output and (IR) remote control possibilities...
 
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