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Another "What do I need?" thread; Input selectors
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Hi Russ, Brian and TwistedPeople, This is my first foray into digital source music. I am sick of the piles of CDs on my lounge room floor. It took me 9 months to find some new CDs I had lost in my CD cabinet. The last time I was looking at a new DAC, the Opus was first being developed and discussed on diyaudio.com I think I only need the SE version (I don't want 5.1 or 7.1) and I will use an IVY (for output to my Passlabs Threshold NS10 inspired pre-amp. I am planning on upgrading this to a a UGS - Cheff de Gear's X-ed Passlabs-inspired pre-amp). Questions which I hope are easy to answer for the experts: - Is Amanero currently the "way to go" for USB to Buffalo connection? (TwistedPear's board is not close yet? I am happy to be a Beta tester
 !)
- If I want to have one SPDIF (wired - for my CD player) and one SPDIF (Toslink for the myriads of DVD/BluRay players) as alternative inputs, what other boards do I need, if any?
- Is there a board to drive a little screen or a few LEDs so I know what my Buffalo is doing - at least what input is being played, but up to something which tells me what the digital stream is?
- Will this fit nicely into a 1U case or should I go to 2U for versatility, control of noise (shielding perhaps) and breathing room?
Upgrade path: - Is it easy to "upgrade" from a "normal" SE system to Dual Mono if I want "more"?
- Is it easy to "upgrade" from IVY III to Legato?
- How much is doubled up in the "double mono system"? At first glance the increase in cost seems to be HUGE if I have got everything straight in my mind. I am digesting the "Integration Guide.pdf", but my brain is starting to hurt.)
That will do for now. Regards and thanks, George. Edited by user Monday, July 15, 2013 7:25:40 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: GeorgeBoles  Hi Russ, Brian and TwistedPeople, This is my first foray into digital source music. I am sick of the piles of CDs on my lounge room floor. It took me 9 months to find some new CDs I had lost in my CD cabinet. The last time I was looking at a new DAC, the Opus was first being developed and discussed on diyaudio.com I think I only need the SE version (I don't want 5.1 or 7.1) and I will use an IVY (for output to my Passlabs Threshold NS10 inspired pre-amp. I am planning on upgrading this to a a UGS - Cheff de Gear's X-ed Passlabs-inspired pre-amp). Questions which I hope are easy to answer for the experts: - Is Amanero currently the "way to go" for USB to Buffalo connection? (TwistedPear's board is not close yet? I am happy to be a Beta tester !)
- If I want to have one SPDIF (wired - for my CD player) and one SPDIF (Toslink for the myriads of DVD/BluRay players) as alternative inputs, what other boards do I need, if any?
- Is there a board to drive a little screen or a few LEDs so I know what my Buffalo is doing - at least what input is being played, but up to something which tells me what the digital stream is?
- Will this fit nicely into a 1U case or should I go to 2U for versatility, control of noise (shielding perhaps) and breathing room?
Upgrade path: - Is it easy to "upgrade" from a "normal" SE system to Dual Mono if I want "more"?
- Is it easy to "upgrade" from IVY III to Legato?
- How much is doubled up in the "double mono system"? At first glance the increase in cost seems to be HUGE if I have got everything straight in my mind. I am digesting the "Integration Guide.pdf", but my brain is starting to hurt.)
That will do for now. Regards and thanks, George. Amanero is good & seems to work well, you can play any sample rate you like, if you buy in the GB they are well priced as well. If you go the BIIISE you will need an OTTO to switch between the SPDIF channels You can attach the Amanero straight to the BIIISE existing inputs as well You will need an Arduino board or similar & if you want to talk to the BIIISE you will need to implement the HiFiDuino code. This is not a trivial task to get it implemented. There is LOTS of info out there to help you along though. You can either use a LCD or TFT screen, if you follow the HiFiDuino path as closely as possible it will be easier. Compared to the rest of it changing from the IVY to the LEGATO would be simple Upgrading to Dual Mono is a major upgrade and you will need almost 2 of everything. 2U Unless you can write code or are willing to learn how to & know a bit about electronics I would just follow what somebody else has done. Edited by user Monday, July 8, 2013 11:48:29 AM(UTC)
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1. Yes.
2. Use consumer SPDIF from the BIIISE, and use an OTTO to switch between the USB/Toslink module. Connect the OTTO to the TTL input.
3. There are many solutions. Most will not tell you the current song you're playing, unless you combine the source and the DAC into one. fi: use a board to stream the sound and drive the display. Unless you know how to program I wouldn't recommend building your own software for this particular combo.
4. 2U. 1U could be done, but it requires a lot of planning. Plus you can pretty much forget about going dual mono in 1U.
Upgrade
1. Yes, but it costs.
2. Yes, you simply swap the IVY3 for a Legato. It's not as much an upgrade but more a "side" grade BTW.
3. You want at least 2 DACs and 2 separate digital PSUs. Some combine them onto one I/V stage, this saves you an IVY + BP PSU.
Digesting the guide can be hard, but lets face it: without it the headache would be worse ;)
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Originally Posted by: LeonvB without it the headache would be worse ;) MUCH WORSE
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Thank-you all for your responses. At least I have not misunderstood too badly what I have read. Final pre-purchase question: of for some reason I wanted my inputs to be:
- 1 * USB
- 1 * SPDIF - wired
- 2 * SPDIF Toslink
would an OTTO still do the task, or do I need something more potent? Regards, George. Edited by user Monday, July 15, 2013 7:21:38 AM(UTC)
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In that case I think I would use USB direct to the DAC board, and an old fashioned Mux board to switch between the 3 SPDIF inputs. The OTTO-4 board would have been nice to use (likely cheaper) but it's simply not there.
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Thanks, Leon.
Which "good old mux board" do you suggest?
Is Twisted Pear's S/PDIF 4:1 MUX/Receiver Module suitable or is it overkill?
With a Mux Board is swapping sources between the USB, the optical SPDIF and the wired SPDIF automatic or is a selector switch required?
With that under my belt, I think it will be time to buy.
Regards,
George.
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Originally Posted by: GeorgeBoles Thanks, Leon.
Which "good old mux board" do you suggest?
Is Twisted Pear's S/PDIF 4:1 MUX/Receiver Module suitable or is it overkill?
With a Mux Board is swapping sources between the USB, the optical SPDIF and the wired SPDIF automatic or is a selector switch required?
With that under my belt, I think it will be time to buy.
Regards,
George. The S/PDIF 4:1 MUX. You may need to tune the output signal down to consumer level, I can't remember if the Mux's output is TTL or consumer level. Yes, the Mux board is overkill but since the alternative isn't there yet you're stuck with it. You'll need a switch for IP_S, plus a selector for the Mux module. The selector is included with the Mux. Or you could control both boards with a microcontroller.
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Ordering the OTTO 4:1 tonight. :)
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Sorry, double post. Can't find delete button. GB Edited by user Tuesday, July 23, 2013 9:53:01 AM(UTC)
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Hi Russ,
Regarding the Otto 4:1
Do you have any idea of the price yet?
Oh, and more importantly do you have a good supply of Buffalo III SE at present? I don't want them to disappear just when I need one.
Regards,
George.
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Tell us more about the OTTO 4, please
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It is a 4:1 multiplexer (selects one of four digital inputs). It is for a single signal, however. It will work great for S/PDIF. It is compatible with the 4-position selector switch kit used with the Buffalo-III and S/PDIF MUX moduless. I will offer itwith and without the switch kit, since it could also be controlled by a uC, such as an arduino. More details so follow. Also, there are plenty of Buffalos (2 and 8 channel) in stock. Edited by user Tuesday, July 23, 2013 11:16:24 AM(UTC)
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Another "What do I need?" thread; Input selectors
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