After a thunderstorm I went to fire up my system and found my Buff II not functioning and with the following problems; DVCC and VDD shorted to ground. C25 C20 C22 C26 all shorted to ground. I had Tridents installed, but the readings are with those removed. Tridents do read normal output when not attached. I also removed the LT regulators.
The clock crystal reg XO is functioning fine.
Just wondering if anybody had any insight into something other than the Dac chip itself being toast?
The clock crystal reg XO is functioning fine.
Just wondering if anybody had any insight into something other than the Dac chip itself being toast?
It does sound like ESD death...
If you can do some SMT rework it is very possible to replace the chip. Once the chip is off the board test the various regulators again (there should be no shorts). If this is the case it may be worthwhile to mount a new DAC chip.
Of course this is a lot of labor, so it maybe be more time and cost effective just to get a replacement. A B3-SE will drop right in.
Arne, Nothing dies for "no reason" - usually when the reason is not apparent it is something like ESD or exceeding design limits unintentionally some other way.
If you can do some SMT rework it is very possible to replace the chip. Once the chip is off the board test the various regulators again (there should be no shorts). If this is the case it may be worthwhile to mount a new DAC chip.
Of course this is a lot of labor, so it maybe be more time and cost effective just to get a replacement. A B3-SE will drop right in.
Arne, Nothing dies for "no reason" - usually when the reason is not apparent it is something like ESD or exceeding design limits unintentionally some other way.
My B-II's were both your normal "full" kits; BII+tridents, your shunt-psu for B-II + separate shunt-psu for IVYIII. Used as single input stereo dac, had even added a pulse-trafo on input on one of them, as an added "safety-feature" ...
They are both replaced with B-III-SE boards now,(and the latest shunt-regs) -still working ...
(and they are the only things I have put together among 25+ riaas, 10+ preamps, 10+ poweramps & 10+ other DACs, that have died!)
Arne K
They are both replaced with B-III-SE boards now,(and the latest shunt-regs) -still working ...
(and they are the only things I have put together among 25+ riaas, 10+ preamps, 10+ poweramps & 10+ other DACs, that have died!)
Arne K
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That's good! But those facts can't prevent the things I mentioned above. 🙂
Glad things are well now - and at least its better rig.
Glad things are well now - and at least its better rig.
Russ, thanks for checking in on this. When my DIY goes bad I get a little to upset and the logic gets a little wobbly if you know what I mean. Sounds like its time to move on to a B III.
Like loosing an old friend though.
Arne, if this happens to me again I could be suicidal.
Like loosing an old friend though.
Arne, if this happens to me again I could be suicidal.
I understand your feeling, have had my "upsets"...
But the "new & better", has been just so. Go for it.
Arne K
But the "new & better", has been just so. Go for it.
Arne K
I recently replaced the ESS9018 chip on my Buffalo II and all is now fine. It was psu oscillation between my Avcc regulator (not a Trident) and the separate I/V board reference that caused the fault.
The replacement chip cost me roughly £54 and was available locally here in the UK. I had no SMD experience before this.
John
The replacement chip cost me roughly £54 and was available locally here in the UK. I had no SMD experience before this.
John
And just in case I go the replacement route, where am I getting a ES9018 chip from? Not seeing this from Mouser/DKey. Is this just available from ESS?
Just go to the authorised distributors on the ESS website. I went to Ismosys in the UK, your would be Shaw Electronics (in the US).
John
John
Thanks John.
Provided I get a clean lift of the old chip I am going to get a new one from ESS and hope for the best.
Provided I get a clean lift of the old chip I am going to get a new one from ESS and hope for the best.
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