Mono sound points to the left/right configuration not being set correctly. Please check the address jumper/register 17 bit 1.

Are you using the on-board firmware?

Hi Antonio. I have same issue with my dual mono BIII and Amanero USB adapter. I have a Sidecar too. My Amanero has latest firmware, using ASIO Combo384 driver. PCM plays in stereo, R and L channel are phased properly and confirmed with test tracks. I converted R and L and Both test tracks to DSD, and R and L channel ID test tracks play from both speakers.

I am not using on-board firmware.

Edited by user Monday, June 17, 2013 3:34:29 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I just checked the input connections and they are correct. Also internally remaped is set properly.

Mono playback works fine with DSD using the on-board firmware as long as everything is configured correctly.

I actually made a different ribbon harness today to try something along this line. When I got home from work I tested it. I use a laptop connected to Amanero USB module.

At first, I cut D2 (Right channel DSD) from the Sidecar at the left DAC board; D1 or or DSD left connected. I cut D1 (Left channel DSD) at the right DAC board leaving D2 or DSD right connected. I got DSD files playing from left speaker, but no DSD files playing from right speaker. I tried all Quantizer settings, still no sound from right speaker. I figured no use trying PCM and didn't want to invite any problems.

Next up, I cut D2 (Right channel DSD) on the right channel DAC board and connected it to the D1 input of right DAC board (D1 from Sidecar open, not connected) - and now I have right channel sound playing DSD files. My Left and Right DSD test tracks play from the respective speaker, left from left, right from right, both from both. Highest output and fullest sounding output is when Quantisizer is set to 9. Vocals are dead center, sounds great, too bad sound drops out after 40 seconds or so (might need to try some different settings).

I'm just a dim bulb compared to you guys and only know what I have seen and read, but it seems like dual mono and DSD will be complicated to implement if you want to play SPDIF too. The right DAC board needs the D2 or left channel DSD input connected to D1 to work. Since nothing played connected to D2 on the right DAC board, I see no use in jumpering the D1 input to D2 on either channel DAC board.

Since we are in anti-phase with dual mono, this complicates the internal remapping for DSD, to me anyway. In the picture, you can see the fifth wire in the left DAC board ribbon cut (D2). In the right DAC board ribbon, wire 3 (D1) and wire 5 (D2) are cut and D2 from Sidecar connects to D1 input.

EDIT: I don't use a full width ribbon as it was not needed with my Sidecar application. I power the Sidecar and input board from a separate power supply.

Edited by user Tuesday, June 18, 2013 6:55:42 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I agree further testing is needed, but I am hosting a music meet for 8 or more friends this Saturday June 22. Due to that I am going to curtail further experimentation until after the meet. I need a working DAC and speakers for Saturday and need to get the house ready. ;)

Corpius was kind enough to suggest some mapping changes with code but I am not sure how that will work with the DAC boards in anti-phase.

EDIT: I did test both ribbon cable wire harness for continuity between R and L and Sidecar connectors and there are no opens.

Edited by user Tuesday, June 18, 2013 5:21:28 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I am not sure what you want me to tell you... All I was saying is it works exactly as the ES9018 data sheet says it will work:

I can't change the DAC internals. :)

The datasheet only mentions the mono register in regard to PCM/SPDIF modes - which kinda makes sense since they are normally stereo formats (one data line = 2 channels). For mono DSD they expect you would simply use one DSD data channel (left or right) to both D1 and D2. Though indeed this will not always be simple on the input wiring side of things.

ESS did not make this very easy on people who want both PCM and DSD dual mono at the same time without rerouting inputs. :)

For an advance application like this you are best off getting the datasheet - but even there this information is vague.

I wish I could be more help, but that's just the way the DAC chip is designed to work. Sorry that I did not get the gist of your problem earlier. I had to re-read it a couple times.

If anyone has a suggestion to make it easier to support such a configuration I would would be very open to try it.

Cheers!
Russ

Edited by user Saturday, June 29, 2013 10:41:16 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

You can already (pretty simply) use an OTTO-II to switch between PCM/DSD for dual mono. You could use a controller (To read the PCM/DSD register on the DAC) or the source (if it indicates DSD) to switch the OTTO-II. If no such signal exists you can use a simple switch. Since only two signals are switched (D1 and D2) you need use only one OTTO-II.

http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/control/otto.aspx

Edited by user Sunday, June 30, 2013 12:45:39 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Around 4-5ns delay will be injected, but it will be constant, not noise.

And in this situation that delay will not cause any harm at all because it is not noise, but is entirely deterministic/consistent and very far below the hold period of the clock signal. If phase noise were injected, then I would not propose it.

You can use this technique with no fear for both PCM and DSD. :)

I tested this out this afternoon, and found it worked well as expected.

Edited by user Sunday, June 30, 2013 9:37:15 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified