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Joined: 11/23/2012(UTC) Posts: 10  Location: Oregon Thanks: 2 times
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I'm new to building DACs but have built power amps and preamps. I have a Rega DAC now that uses WM8742 and have read that the Sabre DAC sounds better than the Wolfson. So I would like to try something else out.
My amp is single ended input but I could add a balanced input. My speakers have a dynamic and open sound so a DAC that is a little heavier like the Rega DAC is OK. I currently use CD transport digital coax and iPOD docking station digital output (coax or optical). May eventually want USB/computer source.
What would you recommend that would provide the best sound -- open sound, details, solid bass and clear highs?
I'm not sure about what the Buffalo III SE offers. Will study the III manual. Can you jump start me on the subject of DACs?
Thanks
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The BIII SE is stereo or dual mono only where the BIII can be configured as stereo, dual mono or as an 8 channel DAC. The SE also has simpler input options. You can read about it at diyAudio. http://www.diyaudio.com/...9921-buffalo-iii-se.htmlThis could sound like a paid advertisement as I’m a big fan of Twisted Pear’s BIII DAC, but this is free. I started with a single BIII earlier this year and just recently completed a dual mono build. I have active crossover, horizontal bi-amped hybrid ESL’s with transmission line bass modules. My listening room has acoustic treatments. I love dynamics, detail and am very fussy about a low noise floor. I find the BIII quiet, highly resolving yet very musical sounding. I don’t get any high frequency etch or glare. Bass is incredible. I wouldn’t describe it as a heavy sounding DAC, but there is meat on the bones. Other folks use this DAC chip but I don’t think anyone has attempted to optimize it like TP has. It’s rare to see the use of such high quality regulation for just the DAC chip itself. Multiple shunt regulators for the digital and analog section certainly seems to have audible benefits but do result in excess heat. I’ve tried the DAC with both linear and shunting power supplies and seem to get the full magic with the high heat shunting power supplies. If you go that route your enclosure needs to have good ventilation. I have a friend in the electronics field that built a BIII using the Salas regulators but he respects the Twisted Pear shunting power supply design. (He is the one that referred me to TP). You have two ways to go with the output stages. The IVY III and Legato, both are balanced or SE. I’ve had both with the single BIII build and each sounds very good. I preferred the discrete Legato output stage. Currently I am running single ended due to my pre amp, but will try balanced with a trial pre amp on the way. Currently I am feeding my DAC via hard drive based flac. Flac is expanded in the PC and sent to a Squeezebox Touch via CAT5, SPDIF coax out to the DAC. I also modded a Denon 3910 to export I2S and DSD to the DAC. I'll be trying a USB to I2S module soon. I also just modded my Touch to export I2S to the DAC as well. A good read if you haven't, the white paper for the ESS Sabre DAC chip. http://www.esstech.com/PDF/sabrewp.pdfEdited by user Friday, November 23, 2012 7:29:14 AM(UTC)
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 2 users thanked SCompRacer for this useful post.
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Hi,
Like you I have a Rega DAC too. For the money this is a great DAC, but it can't compete with the BIII. It is more revealing than the Rega, but not clinical at all. The Rega has some spif outputs, so I still use it to optimize some spdif signals from my squeezebox, tv and dvd player.
I do have much to add at Rich's free advertisement, except from the fact that you can connect it direct to as power amp. It has volume control. I have it connected to my Hypex Ncore's. I still have a Linn Exotik pre-amp that is now retired. It sounds better without it.
You can also use an Arduino to make full use of all its settings, like FIR filters, IIR bandwidth, volume control by using a remote, select inputs, use an LCD or other display etc etc. |
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1 user thanked Corpius for this useful post.
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Hi,
I have a Buffalo II and it souds great.I use tube output stage, sound is excellent.
QUESTION - What is arduino?
Are you sure it can be used for REMOTE volume control???
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 11/23/2012(UTC) Posts: 10 Location: Oregon Thanks: 2 times
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Arduino is a micro controller that can be purchased at Radio Shack or online (Mouser Electronics and elsewhere). A few versions are available -- DUO is the one I bought. They can be used for many things and support I2C communication used for board-board control. It has built-in I/O (digital and analog) that allows the use of LCD, to read an encoder (for volume control) and many boards exist for things like motor control. Fairly inexpensive for just the controller and you can start playing with it. A breadboard and a few parts (or the starter kit) come in handy to quickly hook up electrical parts. See Arduino.cc The programming software is free from this site and there are some code examples.
Can it be used to provide remote control for Buffalo DACs? I assume the onboard Buffalo controller has to be removed and replaced by the Arduino or equivalent. This is not a trivial task though.
HiFiDUINO.wordpress -- see this site for an example of using the Apple Remote for a Buffalo DAC remote control. See the Intro tab first. Code is available. See the Apple Remote tab also.
CE-Designs -- he has created a great project using the Arduino and he refers to HiFiDUINO site.
I'm just getting started with a DAC from TPA. My goal is to build a better DAC than what I now have, learn something technical about digital audio, Arduino applications and have some fun.
Good luck!
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