So who is going to be building one of THESE new Buffalo DACS using the ESS ES9018 Sabre32 DAC Chip? This may just be the DAC I have been looking for as it can take PCM up to 32bits and 192kHz as well as DSD. This may just get me back into some DIY.

I'm waiting for their counterpoint I/V before attempting to put in an order

I'm waiting for their counterpoint I/V before attempting to put in an order

Its available... look at the site BETA orders up.

Hmmmmmmmm. *counts monies*

Isn't there already an I/V stage built into the board?

So who is going to be building one of THESE new Buffalo DACS using the ESS ES9018 Sabre32 DAC Chip? This may just be the DAC I have been looking for as it can take PCM up to 32bits and 192kHz as well as DSD. This may just get me back into some DIY.

I've got the original Buffalo, and see no need to upgrade yet. But I do hope to re-case my existing Buffalo after I move and add a SPDIF MUX, USB receiver etc...... and I will make 100% sure that my case layout can accommodate the new DAC design

I'm waiting for their counterpoint I/V before attempting to put in an order

You can't use the Buffalo32S with Counterpoint because these new boards have integrated I/V and line stage (updated from the previous IVY). TPA found that wiring of the current output was critical to performance, and that having everything on one board was best for performance.

They will be releasing a second Sabre32 design though for tweakers that doesn't have the integrated I/V and is also much more flexible...... for a start, it will apparently offer up to a full 8 channels out......

Isn't there already an I/V stage built into the board?

Yep

Counterpoint is intended for the original Buffalo and the as-yet-unreleased 'tweaker' Buffalo32.

yup, IVYII on board

Guesstimated $$$?

The old one was $295, which included DAC, IVY, LCDPS and LCBPS.

Russ said this new version would be a bit more expensive...... so I'm going to take a total stab in the dark and guess $395 for an equivalent package.

Edited March 30, 200917 yr by Beefy
Think, then type :(

So who is going to be building one of THESE new Buffalo DACS using the ESS ES9018 Sabre32 DAC Chip? This may just be the DAC I have been looking for as it can take PCM up to 32bits and 192kHz as well as DSD. This may just get me back into some DIY.

I nominate morphsci.

I nominate morphsci.

Yeah, I guess it should have read "who else"

If it actually has a 32-bit datapath (i.e. if that's not a gimmick and it doesn't truncate internally), then there's finally enough precision to use a digital volume control and ditch potentiometers completely. You can have 96dB of volume adjustment AND full 16-bit precision at the same time.

(Incidentally, the Wolfson 8741 also allows this, but no one seems to care about that chip any more.)

Well the newest iteration of the the TPA Opus DAC does use the 8741 I believe, but you are right. The Buffalo and the Sabre chip overshadow it greatly.

If it actually has a 32-bit datapath (i.e. if that's not a gimmick and it doesn't truncate internally), then there's finally enough precision to use a digital volume control and ditch potentiometers completely. You can have 96dB of volume adjustment AND full 16-bit precision at the same time.

I tried to convince people of this in a previous related thread, but nobody would believe me

(Incidentally, the Wolfson 8741 also allows this, but no one seems to care about that chip any more.)

Well just considering the TPA offerings...... Buffalo doesn't need a separate SPDIF receiver, and gives native dual-mono balanced audio. Much easier builds, and the performance is at least as good, if not better.

I am definitely tempted.

Well just considering the TPA offerings...... Buffalo doesn't need a separate SPDIF receiver, and gives native dual-mono balanced audio. Much easier builds, and the performance is at least as good, if not better.

I really like the selection of digital filters on the WM8741 though. That probably makes a bigger difference in sound than anything else at this performance level.

But you're right, ease of implementation is huge in the DIY community.

Possibly contingently.

Well the newest iteration of the the TPA Opus DAC does use the 8741 I believe, but you are right. The Buffalo and the Sabre chip overshadow it greatly.

I dunno about such a blanket statement like that. Seems rather presumptuous on many counts.

I dunno about such a blanket statement like that. Seems rather presumptuous on many counts.

I'm pretty sure he just means overshadows in terms of talk and hype, not in how it sounds or its capabilities.

I'm pretty sure he just means overshadows in terms of talk and hype, not in how it sounds or its capabilities.

oh, then I agree with that :)

Ack, way too much tiny surface mount stuff for my crappy eyes to even contemplate. Looks like it'll be fun for those of you more competent at this stuff.

The DAC board will come fully assembled.

You'll just need to build the power supplies (which are pretty easy), and then case and wire it up.

The DAC board will come fully assembled.

You'll just need to build the power supplies (which are pretty easy), and then case and wire it up.

And get a hold of one! That might be the hardest part.

This may be my second DIY project, sounds like a good candidate.

And get a hold of one! That might be the hardest part.

x2 on that. I fully support what the TWP guys do but there are times that I wish they would stick with a design for a little while longer and not immediately jump to the next, newerbetterfasterquicker model.