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Buffalo III - flexibility without compromise.

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#822
Finished DAC

Here is my DAC that I have designed based on TPA modules. Everything is working fine except USB port that will be added soon (right Russ?). I have tested it up to 24bit/192kHz on SPDIF inputs only. I would like to thank Russ, Brian and Leon for providing this opportunity.

George
 

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#826
Thank you all. I plan to make internal pictures too when I add USB module to show you the whole design. Currently I have inside: Buffalo III, SPDIF 4, Sidecar, Legato 3, Placid HD Bipolar, two Placid HD (one for Buffalo III, and another for future expansions like USB and others), 2 x 7VAC and 2 x 15VAC 25VA toroid transformers, analog signal switching board for switching between external analog signal and DAC's output, one board to control extra LED's, EMI filter at power input. I made modifications to all Placid modules by changing heatsinks to 2.5" high to better manage heat dissipation.

George
 
#828
JKC said:
Thank you all. I plan to make internal pictures too when I add USB module to show you the whole design. Currently I have inside: Buffalo III, SPDIF 4, Sidecar, Legato 3, Placid HD Bipolar, two Placid HD (one for Buffalo III, and another for future expansions like USB and others), 2 x 7VAC and 2 x 15VAC 25VA toroid transformers, analog signal switching board for switching between external analog signal and DAC's output, one board to control extra LED's, EMI filter at power input. I made modifications to all Placid modules by changing heatsinks to 2.5" high to better manage heat dissipation.

George
Click to expand...

Nice outside work! But you should show us the inside first...🙂
 
#831
Internal pictures

There you have it. Because so many of you are curious what is hidden inside I decided to make some pictures today to show you my "secrets".

George
 

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#833
Nic,

Sorry, but I am not willing to share this file. It is useless for most of people to use this file because of different components used during design process. Software for designing front panel is very easy to use and it is free.

I will place future USB module in the empty space between Buffalo board and front panel.

George
 
#837
Buffalo III DAC to be connected to Tube Line Stage

Plan to build a Buffalo III DAC that will be connected to a Tube Line Stage (Aikido, which was designed by John Broskie). Do I need to add an output stage to the DAC, such as the IVY?

Thanks

Kris
 
#838
You can't just connect an aikido stage to a Buffalo III. And there's not much point connecting it after an IVY stage, unless for some reason you need a DAC that produces 20Volts output!

I talked this over with John and we came up with an alternative, which uses a Broskie design and PCB.

See this thread for details.

You can connect the balanced outputs of the DAC directly to this tube stage, and it will produce a single ended output, ready to go to a power amp.
 
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#840
beau2317 said:
I talked this over with John and we came up with an alternative, which uses a Broskie design and PCB.

See this thread for details.

You can connect the balanced outputs of the DAC directly to this tube stage, and it will produce a single ended output.
Click to expand...

Is there any Sabre based DAC that is a very simple board that a tubed gain stage can directly connect? I have been driving a CS4398 (outdated and why I want to get something else in place) directly with a tubed stage for about 4? years now. Sorry that this is off-topic and I can PM directly since it may be easier that way.

Incredibly impeccable work you did with that pre-dac...tons of fancy/nice looking goodies in there!

Cheers!
 
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