I am setting up a friends B-IIIse based DAC for I2S input via an adapter for LVDS signaling via HDMI. This uses the PS Audio defacto standard, and the pin outs for I2S are properly routed for DSD to work with auto switching in the ESS 9018.
I am also synchronously clocking with the master clock source being Crystal CCHD oscillators on the I2S interface. All single ended I2S connections are u.fl cables. Sample rates to 24/192 (the max of my interface) are working perfectly, but when I play DSD (this is a native DSD feed) it only works at very low volumes, and otherwise there are loud pops. It appears that the ESS is doing something wrong, as there appears to be considerable DC offset present (obvious zippering sound from volume control), which may be engaging protection circuits in the amplifier.
Clock for DSD is 45.1584 MHz.
Any ideas why the ESS appears to have some weird issue? Back to PCM and everything is fine.
I am also synchronously clocking with the master clock source being Crystal CCHD oscillators on the I2S interface. All single ended I2S connections are u.fl cables. Sample rates to 24/192 (the max of my interface) are working perfectly, but when I play DSD (this is a native DSD feed) it only works at very low volumes, and otherwise there are loud pops. It appears that the ESS is doing something wrong, as there appears to be considerable DC offset present (obvious zippering sound from volume control), which may be engaging protection circuits in the amplifier.
Clock for DSD is 45.1584 MHz.
Any ideas why the ESS appears to have some weird issue? Back to PCM and everything is fine.
What is the DSD source? I have never had any issues with DSD. It sounds like something is amiss with the signal.
One thing you need to be sure of is that the master clock is never going away - if the master clock is not present the DAC will reset. You may need a custom controller in that case to check if the DAC has reset and if it has to reprogram the remapping registers. Also the master clock must be present when interfacing via I2C.
Thanks Russ. The source is an Ethernet Renderer which is tested to work fine with other DACs, as well as other Buffalo DACs of mine.
Anyway, it turns out that SPDIF Auto was enabled, and switching that off appears to have solved all problems-this is a perfect solution, as this is a single input (I2S-HDMI) DAC.
Anyway, it turns out that SPDIF Auto was enabled, and switching that off appears to have solved all problems-this is a perfect solution, as this is a single input (I2S-HDMI) DAC.
Yes - you should always disable SPDIF autodetect with either I2S or DSD input - because at high sample rates the spdif detector gets false positives.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.