Buffalo III - flexibility without compromise.

[ivigueras]

Hi Russ & Brian.

A pair of years ago, I bought and built a BIII. Until now I've been using it with the volume control as is explained in the Leon Integration Guide: "as simple as wiring a suitable potmeter to the DAC board", and without problem.
But now I don't need this volume control and I understand that I only need disconnect the pot. But when I disconnect it, there are no sound. Only if I reconnect again the pot, the sound return.

Do I have to do some additional action for disconnet the pot?

Thank you!

Regards,
Ignacio

 

[Russ White]

There is a mark on the board where you should place a jumper to connect the wiper net to VDD.

 

[ivigueras]

There is a mark on the board where you should place a jumper to connect the wiper net to VDD.

Thank you, Russ!.

 

[Muser]

For those who have upgraded from a Buffalo 32s to a Buffalo IIIse, do you feel it's a sonic upgrade? Sonic upgrades I think of might be greater precision with a more relaxed presentation or a richer, more full bodied timbre. If there was a different "upgrade" for you, please let me know. If no difference, that's fine, too. Your input is appreciated.

 

[pidigi]

is there any chance that the III 8 channel buffalo DAC will be again available? I need a multi channel dac for digital xover application.

 

[BrianDonegan]

is there any chance that the III 8 channel buffalo DAC will be again available? I need a multi channel dac for digital xover application.

Yes, just awaiting a new batch of boards that should be here shortly.

 

[pidigi]

Yes, just awaiting a new batch of boards that should be here shortly.

thank you Brian!

 

[pinnocchio]

Does anyone has a list of "best settings", meaning which quantizer (bits, true diff, pseudo diff) and notch settings goes better together for stereo setup using a single BII/BIII DAC?

I read that 6 bit True Diff with n/64 works best but what about 9bit, etc...

Can anyone having done intensive tests post a list? Russ?

Thanks
Do

 

[Russ White]

It is very very subjective. It also somewhat depends on the output stage.

 

[merlin el mago]

Russ I need to know if BIII support DSD native, or if the driver is able to provide supported ALSA DSD formats. ?

 

[Russ White]

Yes - BIII (actually the ES9018) does support DSD natively.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[merlin el mago]

Thanks, the problem is the Amanero taht doesn't support Linux with Alsa drivers that need Daphile player.

Greetings
Felipe

 

[Russ White]

I Have open-sourced a new version of the on-board firmware for B3/B3SE - I am looking for beta-testers. Please try it out and let me know what you think.

If you have an AVR programmer and can use AVRDude,Atmel Studio, etc.. to program an Attiny85 you can give it a spin.

Some new features:
1) Much better failure handling for DAC resets etc.
2) Better initialization when the DAC does not yet have a master clock - which is great for people using sync mode (where clock is supplied separate from the DAC and may be delayed in startup)

https://github.com/russwyte/Buffalo-3-3SE-on-board-firmware
https://github.com/russwyte/Buffalo-3-3SE-on-board-firmware/releases/latest

Cheers!
Russ

 

[bitinhvi]

After few years of using, now my B3 sometime has low output volume (SPL). It may not always correct, but if I use it daily, then SPL is normal, but if leave it turn off for few days or week, SPL is very low.


My configuration is WaveIO -> I2S --(direct)-> B3 -> IVY


I notice that the case of low SPL, volume port also not working, I could not turn it to zero sound. Voltage to B3 is still 5.25V and IVY is +-14.7V

Please advise me what to check or make it become stable.

Thank you.

 

[BrianDonegan]

After few years of using, now my B3 sometime has low output volume (SPL). It may not always correct, but if I use it daily, then SPL is normal, but if leave it turn off for few days or week, SPL is very low.


My configuration is WaveIO -> I2S --(direct)-> B3 -> IVY


I notice that the case of low SPL, volume port also not working, I could not turn it to zero sound. Voltage to B3 is still 5.25V and IVY is +-14.7V

Please advise me what to check or make it become stable.

Thank you.

My best guess is you have developed a loose/intermittent connection somewhere. When the output level is low, try touching/wiggling wires and see if it makes a difference.

 

[bitinhvi]

Hi Brian,
I am sorry for not updating. My issue does not relate to the BIII, it is problem of my transport, Pi3, when it is scanning for large external hardisk.

Now could you help me with this concern, I think I read somewhere else but did not pay attention because no plan to play DSD at that time.

In the manual, you wrote:
When using stereo PCM without Sidecar, D2-D5 should be joined via the PCM jumpers. Place the following jumpers:
JPCM1 (JPCM1, 3)
JPCM2 (JPCM2, 1)
JPCM3 (JPCM3, 2)
And remove jumpers if present from:
JDSD1 (JDSD1, 5)
JDSD2 (JDSD2, 4)

And

When using stereo DSD without Sidecar one should use the DSD jumpers. Place the following jumpers:
JDSD1 (JDSD1, 5)
JDSD2 (JDSD2, 4)
And remove jumpers if present from:
JPCM1 (JPCM1, 3)
JPCM2 (JPCM2, 1)
JPCM3 (JPCM3, 2)

=> Can I have both PCM and DSD enable? how to do so?

Thank you very much.

 

[bitinhvi]

Anyone can help me on this? Thank you.

 

[Russ White]

You must wire it in B3SE mode. Joining D1 to D5 and joining D2 to D4,D6. You could do this with the jumpers or with plain wire at the inputs - your choice. Then you must set the DIP switch to operate in stereo mode (switch 2 position 8).

 

[miero]

I'm not aware that Raspberry Pi supports the DSD playback.

If you want to play DSD then you might want to use Beagle Bone Black + Hermes-BBB + Cronus

 

[Russ White]

Yes that is true - not directly anyway - I guessed that he was not using just an a rpi - but supposing he has an actual DSD source that is how it would be done. 🙂

DoP (encoded from raw DSD while played by mpd) out to Amanero/Hermes/Cronus from RPI-3 does work nicely.