• Disclaimer: This Vendor's Forum is a paid-for commercial area. Unlike the rest of diyAudio, the Vendor has complete control of what may or may not be posted in this forum. If you wish to discuss technical matters outside the bounds of what is permitted by the Vendor, please use the non-commercial areas of diyAudio to do so.

Introducing the Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9028/9038

Introducing the Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9028/9038

The Buffalo-IIIse Pro (Stereo Edition) 2-Channel DAC

Brian and I have had access to samples of the ES9028/38 DAC chips for over a year and half now. Of course - we were very excited to give them try. And we did - but we found that early samples from ESS had a significant defect that made evaluating it very difficult on our current platform, thankfully those issues were soon resolved by ESS and new samples were obtained. We then began design/prototyping in earnest. In the meantime we have been getting questions daily about when we will release new modules designed around the new DACs. The answer is we are releasing one now - but please read on because how we got from there to here is important.

There is a lot of greatness in these two new chips. First the over-sampling filters and IIR filter are much improved over the ES9018 - and I am not overstating this - you will absolutely hear the difference between the various filters and you can select the one that work the best for your particular application or taste. The new DACs have the following filters:

8X FIR filters:
  • Brickwall
  • Hybrid fast roll-off minimum phase
  • Apodizing fast roll-off linear phase
  • Slow roll-off minimum phase
  • Fast roll-off minimum phase (default)
  • Slow roll-off linear phase
  • Fast roll-off linear phase
8X IIR filters @ 44.1Khz:
  • 1.5874fs - 70K
  • 1.3605fs - 60K
  • 1.1338fs - 50K
  • 1.0757fs - 47.44K(default)

You can see the responses and read more about the filter in the datasheets. We expose all of the built in filters in the current on-board firmware. So you can experiment and see what you like for yourself.

The ES9028/38 “Jitter Eliminator” technology itself has undergone some very important changes in regard to how it can be configured - including a new sync mode feature. It also has some interesting configuration around trade-offs like initial lock speed and DPLL bandwidth that are completely new compared to the ES9018.

We also realized that there is a lot that the current Buffalo III-SE module delivers that we have found DAC builders really like. We wanted to keep those features - they include:
  • A simple consumer level SPDIF input option by incorporating an on-board comparator
  • Simple intuitive stereo/mono PCM/DSD inputs - no summing or remapping required
  • All of the configuration inputs are exposed on a header so that switching of certain features can be done either with the DIP switches on board or remotely - say at the front or back panel or via a second controller.
  • Optional ADC driven volume control for precise but simple operation.
  • Easy stacking integration with existing and new output stage modules like (Mercury, IVY-III, Legato) which are using the current module form factor and spacing. Individual independent voltage regulation for the Clock, Digital, and Analog sections of the DAC - designed for Trident and AVCC modules.
  • The ability to reuse your existing power supplies (as long as they can supply a steady 5VDC) like the Placid-HD or the LCDPS.
In addition there are some very important new features we wanted to be sure the new module supported (with appropriate firmware):

  • Improved digital input scheme (no more ES9018 style remapping and summing)
  • Added GPIO support from the DAC including mapping them as various inputs
  • Output gain calibration for multi-DAC use cases including Mono operation
  • Exposing the new Hyperstream II sampling modes (sync/async)
  • Exposing the capability to run the DAC in either master or slave mode.
  • Support for remote clock and data I/O using uFL connectors.

The digital and control aspects of the ES9028/ES9038 DACs are in some ways similar to the ES9018 - but in many more ways are a significant departure from the venerable (and still excellent) ES9018. Quite simply the ES9028/ES9038 could never be considered drop-in replacements for the ES9018. Still - what Brian and I wanted to do was present a module that could both allow reuse of already excellent I/V stages like the IVY-III and the Legato when using the ES9028 while still allowing the user to opt for the ES9038 when paired with the new Mercury output stage. Yes - you are reading correctly we have an output stage that will absolutely handle all of the current of even a mono ES9038 - in current mode! So users have nice DAC upgrade path without ditching what they already have.

It is true (as I have stated in other threads) that the ES9038 in particular presents some particularly interesting design challenges because of the sheer amount of current it pumps out to the I/V stage. Presenting a virtual ground (so that the DAC operates as a current rather than voltage source) to that much output current is no small challenge. One of the reasons we have held off releasing a new module based on these chips was precisely because of the demands of the ES9038. The good news is that what we discovered actually benefits all of the ESS9018/28/38 DACs (yes - even the ES9018) and our patience has been rewarded in a solution we can truly be proud of.

So what we are presenting to our users is the ability to use existing excellent output stages with the ES9028 - variety is good! As well as a new output stage that is also suitable for the ES9038.

The ES9028 and ES9038 are practically identical except for the analog output section - which is duplicated 4 times and connected in parallel in the ES9038. The ES9038 was clearly designed first and foremost for 8 channel operation - but works well in stereo and mono mode as long as you have an output stage that can handle its copious current. We have tried two approaches to the ES9038 and will actually be supporting both eventually. First you can sum channels at the DAC - this is what the B3SE-Pro does. Second you can take all 8 outputs and sum them after I/V. This we have also tried and it also works quite well - but is also very expensive and huge! Also, after trying both we found to our (pleasant) surprise that compared to summing at the DAC and I/V with Mercury the result of summing after I/V was almost identical!!! There is no compromise in summing at the DAC as long as your I/V stage is up to the challenge. Now if you want a compact 8 channels of bliss - the ES9038 is indeed awesome - so at some point soon we will release a new 8 channel DAC call Buffalo IV based on the ES9038. It however will be a completely new design and thus will not be as simple to integrate with existing I/V stages etc. That DAC module will also allow you to sum after I/V if you so desire.

So there you have it. After much testing and designing a whole new output stage to meet the challenge we are ready to present to you the Buffalo III-SE-Pro. We are taking orders now for the module along with a new series AVCC and Tridents which are redesigned to take on the rigors of the increased current demand of the ES9028/9038. We also made the new trident available in a broader range of voltage output. This is important because in cases like running the ES9038 in mono at high sample rates, you want to run VDD at a slightly increased voltage than the nominal 1.2V). The ES9038 recommends 1.3V when running high sample rates in stereo/mono and we offer that voltage. I actually found that the ES9028/38 all seem to operate better at 1.3V VDD. We also found the running the AVCC module at 3.6V is desirable (because it increases the output swing slightly) - so we configure it for that voltage.

Please ask any questions you have about the new DAC modules and the Mercury - I am sure I forgot to mention something - though keep in mind I will be opening a new thread when Mercury is ready for us to open orders. Mercury is actually finished and is only awaiting final testing of the production PCBs - the circuit itself is finalized. We have just received the production Mercury PCBs and we will be testing them this week. Mercury is the spiritual sibling of CounterPoint - and is essentially the same idea - it is exactingly purpose built to maximise the potential of the ES9018/28/38 I can’t wait to introduce it to you in more detail.

I am working on the datasheets for the new modules and I will make them available very soon. They are very similar to existing modules so most users should be able to hit the ground running. The most important thing to remember is that the voltage input should be right at 5V - please don’t exceed that by more than a half volt because of the relatively low maximum voltage of the ADM7151 regulators in the Trident-SR and AVCC-SR that we recommend for this module.

Things we created to get ready for B3SE-Pro

  • Trident/AVCC-SR Local Regs for B3/B3SE/B3SE-Pro Trident and AVCC headers - Trident-SR
  • B3SE-Pro Module
  • Mercury Output Stage
The Buffalo-IIIse Pro (Stereo Edition) 2-Channel DAC

Cheers!
Russ
 
Last edited:
Please also keep in mind is that the ES9028 and Especially the ES9038 consume much more current (especially at high sample rates) than the ES9018 for which older Trident and AVCC modules were designed.

That is why we created the new Trident-SR and AVCC-SR modules you can find here:
Trident-SR

It is fine to use older Tridents with the 9028 version - but I would still recommend updating to the new Trident/AVCC-SR even for the 9028 because you will be operating closer the edge of the current limits of the older ones than I really like. The margin is just very small - like 10-20ma.

If you feel like tinkering though you can increase the CCS current of older tridents/AVCC and re-use them.
 
Last edited:
Congratulations for your awesome work!

1) Will the Mercury be available when the BuffaloIIIse Pro will be ready for shipping and can I add the Mercury to my BuffaloIIIse Pro preorder? I'd like to combine both into a single order to avoid shipping costs to Germany. Delaying the BuffaloIIIse Pro shipping until Mercury will be available would also be an option.

2) Another question related to the ordering: I'd like to preorder the BuffaloIIIse Pro now, but add some additional stuff later. Still need to figure out what I need exactly. What's the best way to let you know that I want to combine an order with the preorder of the BuffalloIIIse Pro?

3) Is it somehow possible to get back an 8 Channel output from a BuffaloIIIse Pro? (Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm pretty new to the material)

4) I'd like to feed the BuffalloIIIse Pro with a BBB. Just to be sure, the BuffalloIIIse Pro is compatible with the Hermes-BBB and Cronus Re-clocking module? So, a "Buffalo-IIIsePro38" Kit (w/ regulator and power supply), a "Hermes-BBB Isolator Module" and a "Cronus Re-clocking Module with 45.1584/49.152MHz Rhea Pair" is all I need for a complete build fed by a BBB?

Thanks!

PS: Preorder already placed to ensure getting hold of one ;)
 
Last edited:
Very interesting.

Order placed.

When will we hear more about the Mercury I/V & better yet, be able to order them?


TIA.

Greg in Mississippi

Thanks! I will post more about Mercury as soon as the production boards are tested. It (Like the IVY-III) is based on the OPA1632 and has three stages - the first stage being a very high current transimpedance amplifier stage. It also has two servos that play very important roles. I won't go into more detail than that just yet. :)

Literally as soon as I have the boards and parts in my hands and I can test that the production boards are good to go - we will make it available.
 
Sweet!

Hi Russ, already ordered a 9038 board, so glad it is here! It sounds like you are quite excited about the Mercury I/V, so am I really happy about that, as I/V stage is probably more important than the chip to SQ these days...
I hope the Mercury can be configured for both 2 and 4 volt output (balanced) as I sometimes use amps with 26 dB gain and huge outputs (like Ncore 500 and 1200 modules) which need >2 V in to achieve full output.
 
Congratulations for your awesome work!

3) Is it somehow possible to get back an 8 Channel output from a BuffaloIIIse Pro? (Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm pretty new to the material)

4) I'd like to feed the BuffalloIIIse Pro with a BBB. Just to be sure, the BuffalloIIIse Pro is compatible with the Hermes-BBB and Cronus Re-clocking module? So, a "Buffalo-IIIsePro38" Kit (w/ regulator and power supply), a "Hermes-BBB Isolator Module" and a "Cronus Re-clocking Module with 45.1584/49.152MHz Rhea Pair" is all I need for a complete build fed by a BBB?

Thanks!

PS: Preorder already placed to ensure getting hold of one ;)

I forgot to answer these two questions.

3) No - not unless you used 4 of them :)

4) Absolutely - it works very well with Cronus/BBB or Cronus/Amanero etc. Really just about any DSD/I2S source.
 
Hi Russ, already ordered a 9038 board, so glad it is here! It sounds like you are quite excited about the Mercury I/V, so am I really happy about that, as I/V stage is probably more important than the chip to SQ these days...
I hope the Mercury can be configured for both 2 and 4 volt output (balanced) as I sometimes use amps with 26 dB gain and huge outputs (like Ncore 500 and 1200 modules) which need >2 V in to achieve full output.

Thanks Barrows!

Indeed - Mercury is my new pride and joy. :) I am really excited about it. You are right - without an I/V to match it - there is no reason to use the ES9038 other than using it like 4 ES9028/18 :)

You absolutely can adjust the Mercury balanced and/or SE output easily to 4V - even more. The limit is really just the limit of the OPA1632 and the rails. As long as your input impedance is > 1K or so even 10V out should be doable. :)

Cheers!
Russ
 

Hi Russ, many congratulations for this great notification! I've just ordered both of ES9028 ans ES9038 boards.

It's been quite a while since many ES9038 DACs had been introduced in the market of audiophiles but I'd like to appreciate your great patience long kept for this final announcement with many preliminary tests to offer well designed, sophisticated DACs to the end users like me.

BTW, did you solve the problem of chip to chip output differences (up to 28% difference?) with ES9038, that would make dual mono setting difficult? Maybe the coming Buffalo IV with 8 channels may give an answer to it.

Best Regards,
 
Hi Russ, many congratulations for this great notification! I've just ordered both of ES9028 ans ES9038 boards.
...

BTW, did you solve the problem of chip to chip output differences (up to 28% difference?) with ES9038, that would make dual mono setting difficult? Maybe the coming Buffalo IV with 8 channels may give an answer to it.

Best Regards,

Thank you!

Yes! It can be solved via the auto gain calibration feature. This allows chip to chip matching of gain. Our firmware is open source - and I am updating it for mono mode - when I do I will enable gain calibration as well. The new DAC board has all of the components required (especially the reference resistor) to do the calibration.

Also of critical importance - the on-board firmware correctly dictates the power on reset condition these new chips require as well.

ESS did a great job with these chips - the chip to chip gain difference has always existed (even in the ES9018 etc...) but now people can actually do something about it.

Cheers!
Russ