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Now that I have a more objective idea about what I want for my system, I want to assemble a Buffalo-IIISE with a tube output stage. I've read an old article from the lampizator and he says in the end : "UPDATE about the latest Twisted Pear Buffalo board version 2
The latest Twisted Pear board with Esstech DAC is "improved" by the addition of the output stage. 6 opamps that I counted. Unfortunately, unlike with the first board, there is no connection for us Lampizators to the naked DAC output. TP added their opamp based analog stage. The bitter truth is that it sucks. The music is bad, mechanical, closed in, not high end at all. Compared to the first board with tube stage or with Sowter transformers - the new board does not cut it at all. And there is no possibility to cheat the board easily and add tube stage. It takes a MAJOR rework including the removal of all opamps.
Guys - you overdone the good product, I am sorry. I must warn all tube fans folks who are excited by the ESSTECH DAC to stay away from your buffalo.
I seriously suggest to produce the old board with newest chip and continue to provide naked output terminals like before. You CAN'T change reality and stop musically sensitive people from using tubes, it is impossible. Ah of course - I havent even touched the price issue."Well, I didn't hear the Buffalo with this output stage with 6 op amps. I can't say that "it sucks", may be I like it, may be I don't, but I am in a tube mood and changing to tubes - also my amps... If TPA is selling separated output tages for the Buffalo, may be it means that I can easily install the tube output, AND I didn't find any op amps in the last buffalo dac board, but my knowledge in the electronic field is very limited, so I am posting the question : I just want to know if now, with the Buffalo-IIISE, the tube output is easy to install.
Do I have to bypass OP amps and do some tweeks, etc, etc, etc?Thank you very much. Edited by user Saturday, October 25, 2014 3:21:19 PM(UTC)
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That's two questions. The answers are yes, and no. I would suggest reading the guide quite a bit before you proceed with knowledge that's this limited.
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Originally Posted by: LeonvB  That's two questions. The answers are yes, and no. I would suggest reading the guide quite a bit before you proceed with knowledge that's this limited. Hi LeonB Thanks for the answer. I just took a look to the guide, it only talks about the output stages from TPA. So far I still am in the frog, that's really not clear for me. I will read it slowly and try to deduct from what I read there, I will try to understand how it works, it will be very difficult, my knowledge is that limited, in electronics. It would be nice to find titles like : "How to connect a tube output stage" or "How to connect others output stages". I guess I will have to study and learn, but I am sure that what I want to do is sooooooo simple...
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The output connectors are documented, see items 4 and 23 on the pages 46/47. If you don't know how to connect your I/V stage with that information I'm afraid you'll have to ask the designer/creator of the output stage. Or perhaps even better: start building a stock DAC first and if you don't like the I/V stage, exchange it for your own solution later on. You should have quite a bit more knowledge and insight into the build process by then. So that should be a much easier road to travel.
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Originally Posted by: LeonvB The output connectors are documented, see items 4 and 23 on the pages 46/47. If you don't know how to connect your I/V stage with that information I'm afraid you'll have to ask the designer/creator of the output stage. Or perhaps even better: start building a stock DAC first and if you don't like the I/V stage, exchange it for your own solution later on. You should have quite a bit more knowledge and insight into the build process by then. So that should be a much easier road to travel. Well, now I'm getting closer. That information is the key, just the litle click I wanted. I'll come to you later, must check the tube stage board and guide before that. May be I'll talk with it's creator, too. The kit : http://lampizator.eu/sho...ewitem.php?productid=269Or may be one of these : http://lampizator.eu/sho...ewcategory.php?groupid=0First I must find out what kit is best for the Buffalo. Then it's a question of finding out the connections and then to assemble everything. This is a good road. The other, as you say, is to ear the all version Buffalo dac and then, change to tubes. I agree, but I take the tube road - it's even less traveled. The reason for this choice is because I am in a tube mood and I heard what a tube output does in dacs or cd players. I liked it a lot. But I also believe that it can go much far away with the sabre dac than the TDA. I had a few solid state dacs - Anedio D2 was the best for me. It's allways possible to change to I/V stage but in this moment it is not exciting for me - with all the respect. I believe that I can relax for some time - years - with this project. Well, I hope. Thanks!
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Lukas was referring to the B32 when he wrote that, not the Buffalo II or III. The B32 had an integrated I/V stage, the other versions do not, so adding the output stage of your choice is quite simple.
That said, if you are planning on using a tube output stage, you might have better results with an "Unbalancer," which several people seem to be using.
What you definitely want to use is an output stage with true differential inputs, not single-ended or "fake" balanced inputs (two SE inputs inverted). This is because you want the benefits of common-mode cancellation of noise.
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Originally Posted by: Brian Donegan Lukas was referring to the B32 when he wrote that, not the Buffalo II or III. The B32 had an integrated I/V stage, the other versions do not, so adding the output stage of your choice is quite simple.
That said, if you are planning on using a tube output stage, you might have better results with an "Unbalancer," which several people seem to be using.
What you definitely want to use is an output stage with true differential inputs, not single-ended or "fake" balanced inputs (two SE inputs inverted). This is because you want the benefits of common-mode cancellation of noise.
Brian, that' is exactly as you say. Are you using a tube output in the Buffalo? This is the answer of the lampizator, about the choice of output tubes for the Buffalo dac. There are some versions, some much more expensive than others... "Trust me and try the balanced 6N16 kit even if you will use it SE. It will be best. Or use 6111 kit stage 1 it is fabulous. And very small. "6N16 KIT http://lampizator.eu/sho...ewitem.php?productid=181or http://lampizator.eu/sho...iewitem.php?productid=39These are the others : http://lampizator.eu/sho...wcategory.php?groupid=24Or this, 6111 : http://lampizator.eu/sho...wcategory.php?groupid=19What would you choose for The late single ended Buffalo? Thanks. Edited by user Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:37:52 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Brian Donegan Nice tip Brian I can't see the price for the unbalancer Do I request it by email? These prices are very honest... The Sowter 9545 is also very interesting. Does it works if I just install two transformers between the output connections of Buffalo and rca to amplifier? Can it be so simple? (I sent an email to GlassWare for prices). Thanks Edited by user Sunday, October 26, 2014 11:49:23 PM(UTC)
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I found the prices of the kit.
Did someone make this as output stage for the Bufalo?
Thanks
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This is a very good option.
Now I have to understand what is the psu for it.
The pictute is slowly getting clear.
Upgrades are in the end but this is the easiest part.
I'm going to read that thread later, thanks!
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OK :
Now, can someone help me to make my buying list?
What do I want :
-one or two spdif in
-one optical in
-one dac with all the tridents
-One usb in
-Remote control
-Power supplies
-Transformers
-Vol control
-All boards equiped with tridents if possible
What are the needed boards?
I think the site is not very clear for newbies...
Thanks!
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See page 77. And please start reading the rest of the guide too.
And again, I advise you to start simple and work your way up through all options you can add to a TPA DAC. If you think you don't actually have to do anything yourself or expect an Ikea like manual tailormade for just your setup: this isn't the project for you. With your list, there are quite a few design choices you can make, mainly depending on what you want to control by remote.
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Originally Posted by: LeonvB See page 77. And please start reading the rest of the guide too.
And again, I advise you to start simple and work your way up through all options you can add to a TPA DAC. If you think you don't actually have to do anything yourself or expect an Ikea like manual tailormade for just your setup: this isn't the project for you. With your list, there are quite a few design choices you can make, mainly depending on what you want to control by remote. Ok, I got it. Yes, I am starting to read the manual, carefully, step by step. I know I have to learn and can't allways have the work done in a silver plate, that's evolution. Nevertheless, it could be possible to have in the website some simple explanations about the ways to do it. For example, this psu is for these boards; these transformaers are for these psu; this board is to ad an spdif and to be connected to that board... etc. All this could be shown by pictures. Simple instructions for people who are not in electronics and JUST want to assemble a nice dac. It would be possible and good for some kind of people or diyer. That said, I thank you, (really), as well as all the others in this thread, for the usefull help. I decided to read the manual, carefully, step by step. I'll come to the questions later, if necessary.
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I keep meaning to add such diagrams, but have been planning to do so, with several false starts, for quite some time. I am usually distracted before I get too far by family life, but I will keep trying. Most of the hook ups are fairly straight forward if you understand the basics, but I understand it can seem daunting. It is really my job to help make it simple. This is the kind of diagram I have been making:  I think that, along with higher-level system diagrams will make things fairly plain. I will also add accompanying text. Leon has put together a rather extraordinary manual. Our customers in general are very helpful and full of information and advise. We are eternally indebted to them.
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I have my answers in page 77!! It makes me feel guilty because I am lazy about manuals. Definitily, I am going to read all this manual. I realize it has all the answers. Time to study a litle bit. I'm an artist... (that's an excuse) Thanks again, LeonvB and Brian Donegan. I am not using the usb board, I'll use a firewire Weiss interface, instead. I have a Minerva board and it includes the interface. May be I'll put all boards in the same case. Edited by user Wednesday, October 29, 2014 9:39:17 PM(UTC)
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It's certainly very doable to build a working DAC by using the guide. Even with a very limited knowledge of electronics. And as you likely just found out, (almost) all of the questions in your previous post are already answered in the guide.
Brian, if you just mail me the new board lay-outs like the new version of the Toslink module and the 2 bit selector I'll include them in the next version of the guide. It would be helpful if you include a short description of fi. when to open/close J1.
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