Oh, no one has given a reply. I need to reply.
Marek, please accept my comment as just a private one from an inexperienced non-professional digital audiophile.
I'm afraid that your measurement instruments and conditions are too handy to be accepted in this industry or community.
I think you know very well that 16 bits is comparable to 96dB. Many people may think the precision is not enough.
I understood that you connected ES9018 raw outputs to EMU high impedance input without any amplifier or conditioner except 1:1 transformers. People in this thread know ES9018 favors a low impedance node.
I hope you understand what I want to say well.
Hi,
Yesterday I made a measurment using LL1931 (1:16 config) trafo as passive output strage loaded with 3k Ohm resistor on secondaries. Effective load connected to diff DAC outputs is about 10ohm (DCRs taken into account) so I think I can tell that every diff output is loaded with 5ohm.
With this small (but not zero) load DAC works near "current mode".
Ofcourse testing conditions the same as pervious.
As you can see 3rd harmonic is -120dB, 2nd harmonic shows up with -111dB level which is pretty acceptable (2nd harmonic is inaudible even with quite high levels)
So the conclusion is that pervious -90dB 3rd harmonic isn't regarded to limited 16-bit resolution, nor EMU performance but it is clearly regarded to voltage mode (with high voltage swing). Everything OK but I don't get it why datasheet claim -108dB..
Yesterday I made a measurment using LL1931 (1:16 config) trafo as passive output strage loaded with 3k Ohm resistor on secondaries. Effective load connected to diff DAC outputs is about 10ohm (DCRs taken into account) so I think I can tell that every diff output is loaded with 5ohm.
With this small (but not zero) load DAC works near "current mode".
Ofcourse testing conditions the same as pervious.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
As you can see 3rd harmonic is -120dB, 2nd harmonic shows up with -111dB level which is pretty acceptable (2nd harmonic is inaudible even with quite high levels)
So the conclusion is that pervious -90dB 3rd harmonic isn't regarded to limited 16-bit resolution, nor EMU performance but it is clearly regarded to voltage mode (with high voltage swing). Everything OK but I don't get it why datasheet claim -108dB..
You haven't tried the datasheet setup yet. 🙂
But your observation is natural, using the Sabre chip in voltage mode is not ever going to make it shine.
The closer to zero ohms at the chip analog outputs the better the measurement will be.
2nd order distortion is not inaudible, it is simply not usually considered offensive, but yes -111db is not bad at all.
But your observation is natural, using the Sabre chip in voltage mode is not ever going to make it shine.
The closer to zero ohms at the chip analog outputs the better the measurement will be.
2nd order distortion is not inaudible, it is simply not usually considered offensive, but yes -111db is not bad at all.
Even if BufII in voltage mode measure worse than EMU stuff it still sounds way better - its certainly another league. Human ear it is weird sensor which perceive sound waves in other way than meters and is more sensitive to effects that we cannot measure..
You need to make the distinction that you are really measuring the ES9018 not in just in voltage mode. You measured it direct output mode, with no output stage at all.
There is a distinction. I think if you connected the thing up to a balanced to single anded converter like the Ballsie Lite, or even an IVY-III setup for voltage input, both of which would be voltage mode, you would get better results. 🙂
There is a distinction. I think if you connected the thing up to a balanced to single anded converter like the Ballsie Lite, or even an IVY-III setup for voltage input, both of which would be voltage mode, you would get better results. 🙂
I've been happy with the sound of the BuffII in "naked voltage mode" 🙂. Based on what's been shared here, I think using an I/V will bring greater benefits that thought. Looking forward to the Legato III...
Thanks
Whats happening with the presale? Timer went to zero, its says its on sale, but the buy button doesnt switch over from "sold out".
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I am not sure yet why the sale has not been activated, I am trying to contact Brian and see what might be going on. I apologize for the delay.
I do know that none have been sold yet(at least that I know of) so we will likely just have to move the sale back a day or so.
I will update you as soon as I know anything.
I do know that none have been sold yet(at least that I know of) so we will likely just have to move the sale back a day or so.
I will update you as soon as I know anything.
Ok, thanks Russ. Please move it up a day. I would hate to miss out this time just because I'm not staring at the computer until its fixed 😉
Sorry, I had a family emergency this morning and missed the sale. I will have it tomorrow at the same time instead.
Folks, please remember for todays start to adjust for daylight saving time. Our clock moved forward one hour last night. So we adjusted it to 1:00PM since DST is in effect. The countdown timing is accurate.
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Yes you can go by the countdown clock. It look like Brian has it set for 1:00PM which is cool. 🙂
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