ES9018K2M vs ES9028Q2M vs ES9038Q2M
I did some research about ES9018K2M, ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M.
From the numbers, it seems ES9028Q2M is really getting improved from its previous generation ES9018K2M. DNR is 2dB higher and output current is almost doubled. Output impedance is also half. Basically it works like two ES9018K2M core in parallel. With 403ohm output impedance and 7.1mA full scale current, I’d like to try a transformer I/V on it.
But I didn’t see any improvement of ES9038Q2M from ES9028Q2M. DNR is same. Output current is only 3.86mA, even lower than ES9018K2M. Output impedance is also at same level as ES9018K2M. What’s benefited from ES9038Q2M HyperStream II DAC core? Anybody has experience?
I ordered PCB for both ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M. I’ll get them compared with ES9018K2M to see if there is any real step in sound quality.
ES9018K2MES9028Q2MES9038Q2M by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
I did some research about ES9018K2M, ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M.
From the numbers, it seems ES9028Q2M is really getting improved from its previous generation ES9018K2M. DNR is 2dB higher and output current is almost doubled. Output impedance is also half. Basically it works like two ES9018K2M core in parallel. With 403ohm output impedance and 7.1mA full scale current, I’d like to try a transformer I/V on it.
But I didn’t see any improvement of ES9038Q2M from ES9028Q2M. DNR is same. Output current is only 3.86mA, even lower than ES9018K2M. Output impedance is also at same level as ES9018K2M. What’s benefited from ES9038Q2M HyperStream II DAC core? Anybody has experience?
I ordered PCB for both ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M. I’ll get them compared with ES9018K2M to see if there is any real step in sound quality.
ES9018K2MES9028Q2MES9038Q2M by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
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I did some research about ES9018K2M, ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M.
From the numbers, it seems ES9028Q2M is really getting improved from its previous generation ES9018K2M. DNR is 2dB higher and output current is almost doubled. Output impedance is also half. Basically it works like two ES9018K2M core in parallel. With 403ohm output impedance and 7.1mA full scale current, I’d like to try a transformer I/V on it.
But I didn’t see any improvement of ES9038Q2M from ES9028Q2M. DNR is same. Output current is only 3.86mA, even lower than ES9018K2M. Output impedance is also at same level as ES9018K2M. What’s benefited from ES9038Q2M HyperStream II DAC core? Anybody has experience?
I ordered PCB for both ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M. I’ll get them compared with ES9018K2M to see if there is any real step in sound quality.
ES9018K2MES9028Q2MES9038Q2M by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
I had es9018k2m and have es9038q2m. Different implementations, so hard to compare.
What is interesting though is I could not use Super V/I LL1684 with direct output from es9018k2m due to its quite high output impedance. I had to use ~680Ohm resistor in series between raw output of es9018k2m and Super V/I LL1684 converter. Without resistors sound was distorted, especially in low frequencies.
Super V/I LL1684 converter works without resistors in series with es9018 which has 195Ohm output impedance.
It also works without resistors in series with es9038q2m ... Acording to data you provided there is no significant difference between es9018k2m and es9038q2m in regard of output impedance. So for me is strange why es9038q2m (with output impedance close to es9018k2m) is working with Super V/I LL1684 converter without ~680 resistors in series ...
I did some research about ES9018K2M, ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M.
From the numbers, it seems ES9028Q2M is really getting improved from its previous generation ES9018K2M. DNR is 2dB higher and output current is almost doubled. Output impedance is also half. Basically it works like two ES9018K2M core in parallel. With 403ohm output impedance and 7.1mA full scale current, I’d like to try a transformer I/V on it.
But I didn’t see any improvement of ES9038Q2M from ES9028Q2M. DNR is same. Output current is only 3.86mA, even lower than ES9018K2M. Output impedance is also at same level as ES9018K2M. What’s benefited from ES9038Q2M HyperStream II DAC core? Anybody has experience?
I ordered PCB for both ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M. I’ll get them compared with ES9018K2M to see if there is any real step in sound quality.
ES9018K2MES9028Q2MES9038Q2M by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
Ian,
Interesting how the ES9028Q2M versus ES9038Q2M specs are so different than for the ES9028PRO versus the ES9038PRO. Curious why that would be so.
BUT I'm more interested in what you're thinking for an XFRMR I/V. I'd like to try that with the ES9038PRO-based DAC I have here along with the prototype of your RPi DAC I have here using the ES9018K2M. I have some Onetics, Lundahl, and Cinemag 600:600 transformers here along with Korean 20R:600R I/V transformers that may be useful alternatives to an active stage with these high-current output ESS DAC chips.
What are you thinking?
Greg in Mississippi
I did some research about ES9018K2M, ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M.
From the numbers, it seems ES9028Q2M is really getting improved from its previous generation ES9018K2M. DNR is 2dB higher and output current is almost doubled. Output impedance is also half. Basically it works like two ES9018K2M core in parallel. With 403ohm output impedance and 7.1mA full scale current, I’d like to try a transformer I/V on it.
But I didn’t see any improvement of ES9038Q2M from ES9028Q2M. DNR is same. Output current is only 3.86mA, even lower than ES9018K2M. Output impedance is also at same level as ES9018K2M. What’s benefited from ES9038Q2M HyperStream II DAC core? Anybody has experience?
I ordered PCB for both ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M. I’ll get them compared with ES9018K2M to see if there is any real step in sound quality.
ES9018K2MES9028Q2MES9038Q2M by Ian, on Flickr
Ian
Looking at these specs, I'd expect the 9028Q2M to have the 9038Q2M's specs and vice versa. It's like someone mixed up the names of the chips. Weird.
My old Buffalo II is using transformers. I can’t remember the exact specs at the moment but it’s Lundahl, you can choose between 1|1 or 2|1 and it’s a fairly standard transformer (nothing exotic or flashy).
It works flawlessly, not a problem in the world.
I’m assuming these new chips are not too different from their predecessor.
It works flawlessly, not a problem in the world.
I’m assuming these new chips are not too different from their predecessor.
Attachments
I have ES9018K2M prototype running which is the one on the picture with new ESS controller.
Now I'm working on ES9028Q2M and ES9038Q2M DAC PCB for RPi with external I/V stage.
I'll find out which one has the best sound quality.
Regards,
Ian
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option1
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option1
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION1 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option1
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION1 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option2
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option2
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION2 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option2
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION2 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option3
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option3
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION3 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option3
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION3 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option4
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option4
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION4 by Ian, on Flickr
ESS DAC transformer I/V stage option4
ESSTRANSFORMERIVOPTION4 by Ian, on Flickr
