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DAC-END R (ES9018) full assembled board - version 2

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Hi!

I'm in the process of selecting a high quality dac and i have some questions.

- Can some one give me a hint of the quality of this one. Is it good value for the money? How does it compare with the buffalo?

- I'm thinking of running the dac voltage out, the a and b dac parallel and in phase via a high pass filter to a single ended output without any transformer. That would just give me 1 v ouput, but I think it would give me enough level in my set up. Is this a good or bad idea?

- How good is the digital volume control compared to an analogue one? I'm thinking of skipping the preamp and running it directly to the amp. Is this a good or bad idea?

Best Regards Christian

The Buffalo module:

1) it does not use internal input switch
2) it need an external custom module to change filter registers
3) it need an external custom module to remote volume and other functions
4) it is not integrated with USB module to play DSD and Hi-resolution tracks
5) it need external modules to change input
6) it have no shield to reduce interferences

I use digital volume control and no preampl. without problems.
 
Hi!
- Can some one give me a hint of the quality of this one. Is it good value for the money?
yep, it's the best DAC I had in my system.

- How good is the digital volume control compared to an analogue one? I'm thinking of skipping the preamp and running it directly to the amp. Is this a good or bad idea?
Good idea.
I've removed my preamp and have this DAC directly(LL1684) connected to my amp.
The ES9018 has a very good digital volume control: if the signal is attenuated than the noise floor is also lowered.
 
Hi!
Thanks for your answers.
- What are the main purpose of using transformers instead of direct out via low pass, other than the voltage gain?

- Is the software capable of shifting the phase of the b dac so they can be connected in parallel? The purpose of this would be to get a unbalaced connection directly from the dac.

Best regards Christian
 
Hi!
Thanks for your answers.
- What are the main purpose of using transformers instead of direct out via low pass, other than the voltage gain?

- Is the software capable of shifting the phase of the b dac so they can be connected in parallel? The purpose of this would be to get a unbalaced connection directly from the dac.

Best regards Christian

Hi Please see the remote guide attached:
 

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1. adeveza: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer (Complete Set: Item 6)
2. papapew: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer + chassis
3. smokingdog: DAC module + output stage
4. gde3: DAC module + amanero
5. villanueva: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer (item6)
6. MattMax: output stage only
7. CAAD: output stage only
8. blackberry: output stage only
9. Mas Penk: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer + chassis
10. rade95: output stage + chassis
11. vmoreau : DAC Module
12. edbk : Complete dac (item 6) (tested before shipping please )
13. sandor: Complete DAC without output stage (option 6 without option
14. Erlend Sæterdal: Output stage only.
15. Colesey : complete dac (item 6) in silver please
16. claudio52: Output stage only
17. Nick F: Complete DAC (item 6)
18. xtomm: output stage onl
19. brgds: DAC + output stage + amanero
20. danny_66: output stage only
21. anjogi: amanero + DAC + output stage + transformer
 
Hi

#1 Can you pm me shipping for #6 or #1-2-4-5, from what i'v seen shipping the chassie is expensive, to Country=Canada province=Quebec potal code= J8c 2Z7

#2 i've got 2 monoblock power amp ( Marantz SM-17SA ) used in BTL ( bridged ) here are the specs (see link), dosent say that much but do I need anything other than what is included in full assembly #6 to use this dac as a dac/preamp from what i figure this would help

- variable voltage gain only changing a single resistor (I/V)
- 3 voltage amplification setting with jumps

or do you suggest another output stage ?

thanks for the info you got a very intersting package
 
1. adeveza: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer (Complete Set: Item 6)
2. papapew: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer + chassis
3. smokingdog: DAC module + output stage
4. gde3: DAC module + amanero
5. villanueva: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer (item6)
6. MattMax: output stage only
7. CAAD: output stage only
8. blackberry: output stage only
9. Mas Penk: DAC module + amanero + output stage + transformer + chassis
10. rade95: output stage + chassis
11. vmoreau : DAC Module
12. edbk : Complete dac (item 6) (tested before shipping please )
13. sandor: Complete DAC without output stage (option 6 without option
14. Erlend Sæterdal: Output stage only.
15. Colesey : complete dac (item 6) in silver please
16. claudio52: Output stage only
17. Nick F: Complete DAC (item 6)
18. xtomm: output stage onl
19. brgds: DAC + output stage + amanero
20. danny_66: output stage only
21. anjogi: amanero + DAC + output stage + transformer
22. CaféNoir: DAC module + amanero + output stage

cheers
 
After some listen test I and Quanghao have decided to change the diamond output buffer with a single ended dc coupled mosfet stage.
Using this new output stage we can get a very pure sound near to LL1684 stage.
This output stage has been configurated with high bias current to drive any headphone and any cable.
Test and measurements still in progress.
 
After some listen test I and Quanghao have decided to change the diamond output buffer with a single ended dc coupled mosfet stage.
Using this new output stage we can get a very pure sound near to LL1684 stage.
This output stage has been configurated with high bias current to drive any headphone and any cable.
Test and measurements still in progress.

How would you compare LL1684 sounding vs the new mosfet output stage
 
After some listen test I and Quanghao have decided to change the diamond output buffer with a single ended dc coupled mosfet stage.
Using this new output stage we can get a very pure sound near to LL1684 stage.
This output stage has been configurated with high bias current to drive any headphone and any cable.
Test and measurements still in progress.

Are you saying that using LL1684 is better??
 
Are you saying that using LL1684 is better??

I personally think that using the LL1684 Lundahl the sound is fantastic and it is really hard to find something better.

The cost of a pair of LL1684 is the double of the new Discrete differential no feedback output stage.

I hope to do a direct direct comparison in the next few weeks.

Using the LL1684 is not possible drive directly headphones.

For the max performances on medium-high impedance headphones I suggest my project:
Hi-end headphone amplifier
 
Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.