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I am somewhat confused as to which components/kits I will need to build a DAC off the Opus platform.
Obviously I will need an Opus PCB (stereo vice dual mono), a USB interface board, and a power supply. As I plan to run to a Sympatico amplifier, only balanced out is required. I understand that the Opus has its own balanced out, but other users seem to be employing the Ballsie board for output; is there an advantage to this?
I am also confused as to whether or not the Metronome board or 4:1 MUX board is necessary.
My intended application is: [PC (linux)] >> [DAC] >> [Preamp/Buffer/Source Selector] >> Sympatico > 4ohm speakers. I assume building an Opus DAC will give me better quality than analogue outs from an EMU 1212m.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
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Quote:Obviously I will need an Opus PCB (stereo vice dual mono), a USB interface board, and a power supply. If you want an usb (only) DAC yes. Quote:As I plan to run to a Sympatico amplifier, only balanced out is required. I understand that the Opus has its own balanced out, but other users seem to be employing the Ballsie board for output; is there an advantage to this? Ballsie converts balanced to single ended. If you want symmetrical out, you won't need it. You need the mux if you want more than one input. The metronome is for tuning (dejitter) on the digital side. The metronome has the second advantage that you get felxibility concerning the samplerate of your digital signal - the opus is not flexible. But if you only use usb, you're limited to 44.1/48kHz so the flexibility for higher samplerates is not needed. Regards Flo
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Thanks for the information, Flo. I suppose there's no reason not to use S/PDIF, since the sound card supports it, and S/PDIF is more compatible with other transports.
Doing more research, it looks like I might need a Ballsie to work with a SE attenuator/source selector.
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If you don't have a balanced pre, I'd look at a Volumite. That way you can still use the Sympatico balanced.
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LeonvB wrote:If you don't have a balanced pre, I'd look at a Volumite. That way you can still use the Sympatico balanced. And you will get better performance than with an analog volume control.
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