morphsci Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tachikoma Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'm waiting for their counterpoint I/V before attempting to put in an order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manaox2 Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'm waiting for their counterpoint I/V before attempting to put in an order Its available... look at the site BETA orders up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tachikoma Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Hmmmmmmmm. *counts monies* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penger Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Isn't there already an I/V stage built into the board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefy Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 yup, IVYII on board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Guesstimated $$$? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefy Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) 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, 2009 by Beefy Think, then type :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzziguy Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted March 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I nominate morphsci. Yeah, I guess it should have read "who else" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanY Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penger Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefy Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I am definitely tempted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanY Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Possibly contingently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted March 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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 :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefy Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreadhead Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swt61 Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 This may be my second DIY project, sounds like a good candidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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