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questions about plans for buffalo construction (semi novice)
Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 1/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 33
Location: denmark
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I am a semi-novice, having built a DDDAC, a kookaburra+darwin preamp and a UCD180 power amp with success. So now I want to build a buffalo, but I need some help with the planning!
My primary source will be a pc. The ideal thing would be if I could use i2s over usb from pc to dac, and get 24/192, but I don't have any 24/192 music right now, so that's not critical. It would be awesome to have 24/192, or at least be able to upgrade to that at some point. So 16/44.1 max would be ok for now.
I assume that a good choice would be the twisted pear usb dac/receiver, but that's out of stock, so my first question is: 1) any idea when that will be available again? What other options do I have here?
I would also very much like to have an optical toslink input, and maybe also a coax spdif input - if I can find a good way of switching between these sources.
What about balanced vs. single ended - my current equipment is all single ended because the DDDAC doesn't have a balanced option, so 2) will it be worth it to remake it (plus all the drilling) to balanced through the entire signal path? Is there a simple method to give the buffalo a single-ended output?
3) What parts do I need for a full working buffalo dac (I already have a case) - is this list complete?
- Buffalo-II DAC module+placid power supply kit combo
- USB dac/receiver
- 15v+15v transformer
- 9v+9v transformer
- toslink module
4) I would of course need some way of choosing between inputs - any suggestions?
I have no need for exotic tweaks, so the standard buffalo configuration (except for possible the s/e output) will do just fine.
Thanks in advance!
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You should add an IVY + Placid BP kit to the list and if you intend to add USB propably a MUX kit.
That last part isn't clear, as Russ on diyaudio has announced a new USB kit is in the works for possibly up to 8 channels & 32/384, but it's not ready yet and the interface is not at all final. He stated SPDIF as output but possibly limited to 24/192, perhaps I2S (in which case you likely need an OTTO for switching I2S input of the DAC) and more or less implied DSD output, but it's not clear to me how you could switch between that and Toslink.
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With the Ivy III you have balanced and SE available of course. Personally I wouldn't bother changing an amp from SE to balanced unless you're having noise issues. I use the balanced output for headphones myself.
As for switching inputs etc., I use a Zektor switch. I needed several inputs and 2 outputs which the Zektor gives me. It also transcodes TOSLINK to coaxial SP/DIF - which is a bonus. It seems pretty well made too.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 33
Location: denmark
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Thank you very much, both of you! I will of course add the ivy III + placid bp. I'm going to wait a bit with buying anyway, so I'll probably see what they're cooking up, regarding the usb high res.
So, excluding the usb and switching stuff, would this list be complete:
- Buffalo-II DAC module+placid power supply kit combo
- IVY III + placid BP kit
- 15v+15v transformer
- 9v+9v transformer
- toslink module
that is, could I just buy the above and have a fully working buffalo dac with optical spdif input? And then add the rest later?
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Rank: Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/12/2009(UTC)
Posts: 138
Location: London
Thanks: 15 times
Was thanked: 1 time(s) in 1 post(s)
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That looks OK to me. Add a Volumite unless you have some other means of controlling volume.
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questions about plans for buffalo construction (semi novice)
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