Since I’ve already made Raspberry Pi capable for DSD playback, I think I’ll need a DSD/I2S DAC HAT for it. Few DSD DAC is available for Pi so far, so I’m gonna design something around.
I’ll pick up ES9018K2M first because basically it’s the 2 channel version of ES9018 (2ch vs 8ch), and I've been very happy with ES9018. Both of them have same SABRE32 Reference DAC core, so good sound quality is expected, here are some speciations:
. Industry’s highest performance 32-bit mobile audio DAC with unprecedented dynamic range and ultra low distortion;
. Supports both synchronous and ASRC (asynchronous sample rate converter) modes;
. Unmatched audio clarity free from input clock jitter;
. 127dB DNR -120dB THD+N;
. PCM384KHz/DSD512;
. Mono or stereo output in current or voltage mode based on performance criterion;
. Supports SPDIF, PCM (I2S, LJ 16-32-bit) or DSD input;
. 64-bit accumulator and 32-bit processing. Distortion free volume control；
. I2C based software control；
Prototype PCB is coming very soon.
ES9018K2MPiPCB by Ian
ES9028Q2MDAC3 by Ian, on Flickr
ES9038Q2MRaspberryPiDAC by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
I’ll pick up ES9018K2M first because basically it’s the 2 channel version of ES9018 (2ch vs 8ch), and I've been very happy with ES9018. Both of them have same SABRE32 Reference DAC core, so good sound quality is expected, here are some speciations:
. Industry’s highest performance 32-bit mobile audio DAC with unprecedented dynamic range and ultra low distortion;
. Supports both synchronous and ASRC (asynchronous sample rate converter) modes;
. Unmatched audio clarity free from input clock jitter;
. 127dB DNR -120dB THD+N;
. PCM384KHz/DSD512;
. Mono or stereo output in current or voltage mode based on performance criterion;
. Supports SPDIF, PCM (I2S, LJ 16-32-bit) or DSD input;
. 64-bit accumulator and 32-bit processing. Distortion free volume control；
. I2C based software control；
Prototype PCB is coming very soon.
ES9018K2MPiPCB by Ian
ES9028Q2MDAC3 by Ian, on Flickr
ES9038Q2MRaspberryPiDAC by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
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Knowing your track record, I imagine that we can expect an interesting solution to the challenge of clocking the 9018 !
Dear Ian,
That sure sounds fantastic, like all of your designs!
But is there a chance to organize the interest list in one of those google spreadsheets, that way it will be easier for anyone to change the number of boards in each position. And it might be easier for you to check which boards are more in demand, I find the current interest list a little too complicated to say the least, whenever I decide to add or subtract something I have to copy all previous posts with the risk to involuntary changing someone's list... And I change my mind often 🙂
That sure sounds fantastic, like all of your designs!
But is there a chance to organize the interest list in one of those google spreadsheets, that way it will be easier for anyone to change the number of boards in each position. And it might be easier for you to check which boards are more in demand, I find the current interest list a little too complicated to say the least, whenever I decide to add or subtract something I have to copy all previous posts with the risk to involuntary changing someone's list... And I change my mind often 🙂
Hi Ian,
How do you get around the lack of open source firmware and drivers for ESS products?
regards
How do you get around the lack of open source firmware and drivers for ESS products?
regards
Hi Greg,
First you have to sign the NDA with ESS to get all datasheets. But I don't think there is any open source driver available for ESS9018. I have a couple of options, but in either way I have to write something by myself.
Regards,
Ian
Don't forget the I2S reclocker/filter/isolator!!
I don't see these features showing up in your block diagram.
Good luck with your project.
I don't see these features showing up in your block diagram.
Good luck with your project.
Gotta play devil's advocate... why? An off the shelf dac chip? With your talent-- could write a Dac/Filter in an FPGA.
How about FIFO III & pi FIFO II ;P
And that awesome pi isolator??? The GB list is getting long!
How about FIFO III & pi FIFO II ;P
And that awesome pi isolator??? The GB list is getting long!
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Ian, are you going to implement the hardware volume control in this DAC?
I assume that this is the same as the 9023 chips and that it must be done through software and the I2C connection.
I assume that this is the same as the 9023 chips and that it must be done through software and the I2C connection.
I would say, that some rechecking may be a good idea, don't we all agree, that RPi generated I2S isn't too good?
The highlighted part of this DAC would be playing both DSD and I2S on top of RPi.
However, everybody knows the issue of RPi, the signal quality...
Yes, to achieve higher sound quality, we have to run it in master mode. A FIFO or a master mode re-clocker will be required in this case.
I'm gonna design a FifoPi with built-in DSD decoder for it. I hope I can start very soon ... 🙂
Ian
Hi Ian,
You finally never told us if you were hearing a difference with the I2S output of an Odroid C1+ vs a Pi3 as you have both ?
And ultimatly if a difference occurs (at ears) despite the Fifo+isolator+reclocker ?
Does it no make sense to deal with ESS9038 or AK chip ?
on this project : no sota ESS electrical voltage reference chip and sota ldo reg ?? NDK or similar very near of the dac chip, to stay cost low ??? Many Pi dac hats are existing already, what is the plus ?
You finally never told us if you were hearing a difference with the I2S output of an Odroid C1+ vs a Pi3 as you have both ?
And ultimatly if a difference occurs (at ears) despite the Fifo+isolator+reclocker ?
Does it no make sense to deal with ESS9038 or AK chip ?
on this project : no sota ESS electrical voltage reference chip and sota ldo reg ?? NDK or similar very near of the dac chip, to stay cost low ??? Many Pi dac hats are existing already, what is the plus ?
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